Help with identifying leak source

ajax101 · 05-21-2022, 05:33 PM

Hello,
I recently purchased a BMW 328i xDrive 2011 automatic, and I noticed a leak under the car. I took a closer look and I'm not sure where the source is.

When I start the car I noticed white smoke and a burning smell now. Here is a link to the video showing that: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KWO...ew?usp=sharing

I also have error codes P0420 and P0430 now, I looked into that a bit and confirmed the 02 sensors are working. I'm not sure if these related to the leak or a separate issue.

tcphoto · 05-22-2022, 02:24 PM

My first thought is the VCG, do you smell burnt oil in the cabin when the engine is running? The oil will drip down the left side and make it's way onto the exhaust manifold. There is a silver tray running down the lower side of the engine, oil pools on it and down from there. I replaced my VCG 18 months ago and the smell immediately disappeared. Luckily, I didn't notice any smoke but the smell was obvious.

ajax101 · 05-22-2022, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

My first thought is the VCG, do you smell burnt oil in the cabin when the engine is running? The oil will drip down the left side and make it's way onto the exhaust manifold. There is a silver tray running down the lower side of the engine, oil pools on it and down from there. I replaced my VCG 18 months ago and the smell immediately disappeared. Luckily, I didn't notice any smoke but the smell was obvious.

Thank you, yeah there is a smell in the cabin at first, it will go away after a bit though.
The car is at 105k Miles. I took a look at the VCG and you are right. Oil is dripping down the left side. I'm going to replace these parts.
- VCG
- Sparkplugs
- Shaft Sensor Gasket
- Actuator Seal

ajax101 · 05-28-2022, 01:10 PM

Hello,
I'm working on the VCG today. When I got to the hose in the back, I'm not sure how to disconnect it. I'm pretty sure tabs are missing.
Any advice on how to remove this safely?

ajax101 · 05-28-2022, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajax101

Hello,
I'm working on the VCG today. When I got to the hose in the back, I'm not sure how to disconnect it. I'm pretty sure tabs are missing.
Any advice on how to remove this safely?

I gently pulled it it off. It looks like someone glued this hose on... This is frustrating.

tcphoto · 05-29-2022, 12:36 PM

I have a 335 so I'm not familiar with the N52 but are you sure that you need to mess with the hose? The CCV hose is a bit of a pain but I'd check on YouTube for a couple videos, it helped me a great deal.

ajax101 · 06-03-2022, 09:12 PM

I left the hose alone for now. It felt pretty secure when I put it back on.
And thank you for your help. No more smoke!

But it looks like a have two leak sources after driving for a few days. 1 was the VCG which is fixed. And this oil leak. I'm pretty sure it's oil.

From searching the forum, it looks like it could be the following:

Oil Pain Gasket
Rear Main Seal

What do we think? And what are the Torque specks for the bolts? I saw that could be tired first too.

F31B48 · 06-04-2022, 03:07 PM

Oil pan gasket is the most common cause. Rear main seals rarely leak on these engines.
That oil looks very clean though, have you just changed the engine oil?

ajax101 · 06-08-2022, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvaBmw

Oil pan gasket is the most common cause. Rear main seals rarely leak on these engines.
That oil looks very clean though, have you just changed the engine oil?

Thank you, the oil pan gasket is leaking, I was able to get a better look.
And yes, I changed the oil recently.

TriumphTim · 06-16-2022, 06:59 PM

Honestly I would plan to get that "glued on" PCV hose replaced or have it on hand. It runs from the back of VC to two points under the intake. It gets very brittle with time and heat.

I think it is part # 11157559528 but check for your engine.

Not hard to change with long reach pliers and screwdrivers, can be done without taking intake off.

05-21-2022, 05:33 PM	#1
ajax101 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i xDrive 2011 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	Help with identifying leak source Hello, I recently purchased a BMW 328i xDrive 2011 automatic, and I noticed a leak under the car. I took a closer look and I'm not sure where the source is. When I start the car I noticed white smoke and a burning smell now. Here is a link to the video showing that: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KWO...ew?usp=sharing I also have error codes P0420 and P0430 now, I looked into that a bit and confirmed the 02 sensors are working. I'm not sure if these related to the leak or a separate issue. Attached Images
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05-22-2022, 02:24 PM	#2
tcphoto Brigadier General 4193 Rep 3,249 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	My first thought is the VCG, do you smell burnt oil in the cabin when the engine is running? The oil will drip down the left side and make it's way onto the exhaust manifold. There is a silver tray running down the lower side of the engine, oil pools on it and down from there. I replaced my VCG 18 months ago and the smell immediately disappeared. Luckily, I didn't notice any smoke but the smell was obvious. __________________
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05-28-2022, 01:10 PM	#4
ajax101 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i xDrive 2011 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	Hello, I'm working on the VCG today. When I got to the hose in the back, I'm not sure how to disconnect it. I'm pretty sure tabs are missing. Any advice on how to remove this safely? Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2022, 12:36 PM	#6
tcphoto Brigadier General 4193 Rep 3,249 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	I have a 335 so I'm not familiar with the N52 but are you sure that you need to mess with the hose? The CCV hose is a bit of a pain but I'd check on YouTube for a couple videos, it helped me a great deal. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-03-2022, 09:12 PM	#7
ajax101 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 328i xDrive 2011 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	I left the hose alone for now. It felt pretty secure when I put it back on. And thank you for your help. No more smoke! But it looks like a have two leak sources after driving for a few days. 1 was the VCG which is fixed. And this oil leak. I'm pretty sure it's oil. From searching the forum, it looks like it could be the following: Oil Pain Gasket Rear Main Seal What do we think? And what are the Torque specks for the bolts? I saw that could be tired first too. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2022, 03:07 PM	#8
F31B48 Captain 292 Rep 654 Posts Drives: BMW G21 E61 LCI Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Oil pan gasket is the most common cause. Rear main seals rarely leak on these engines. That oil looks very clean though, have you just changed the engine oil?
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06-16-2022, 06:59 PM	#10
TriumphTim Private 80 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Perkasie PA iTrader: (0)	Honestly I would plan to get that "glued on" PCV hose replaced or have it on hand. It runs from the back of VC to two points under the intake. It gets very brittle with time and heat. I think it is part # 11157559528 but check for your engine. Not hard to change with long reach pliers and screwdrivers, can be done without taking intake off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote