[dknybmw31]

Hi everyone, this is my wife's 07 335i. After driving for 5 mins, I noticed oil on the engine cover. The seal was on tight, but what's causing the leak? I don't think this is normal.
Couple of weeks ago, the low oil light came on and we top it with 2 qts of 5w-30. The 1st photo is the engine bay and 2nd photo is when I removed the cap. Any help or ideas would be great.

[ENINTY]

You need to better explain the low oil level light. Did you add 2 quarts of oil after the light came on and noticed the leak, or did you notice the leak, then the low oil indicator came on and you added 2 quarts of oil? The issue being, once the low oil level comes on you only add 1 quart of oil, not 2. I think the problem is you have 8 quarts of oil in the engine when there should only be 7 quarts and the oil is blowing by the oil cap seal.

[ceb]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

You need to better explain the low oil level light. Did you add 2 quarts of oil after the light came on and noticed the leak, or did you notice the leak, then the low oil indicator came on and you added 2 quarts of oil? The issue being, once the low oil level comes on you only add 1 quart of oil, not 2. I think the problem is you have 8 quarts of oil in the engine when there should only be 7 quarts and the oil is blowing by the oil cap seal.

Correct. The OP may also have early catalytic converter issues in the future. He needs to do an oil change and get down to the proper level as soon as possible.

[StoneCold]

Originally Posted by ceb

Correct. The OP may also have early catalytic converter issues in the future. He needs to do an oil change and get down to the proper level as soon as possible.

+1

[dknybmw31]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

You need to better explain the low oil level light. Did you add 2 quarts of oil after the light came on and noticed the leak, or did you notice the leak, then the low oil indicator came on and you added 2 quarts of oil? The issue being, once the low oil level comes on you only add 1 quart of oil, not 2. I think the problem is you have 8 quarts of oil in the engine when there should only be 7 quarts and the oil is blowing by the oil cap seal.

I noticed the low level light on 1st and then added 2 qts of oil. The indicator now states 3900 miles before oil runs out. It's been 15-25 degrees here, can it be pressure build up and cause some leak through the cap?

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by dknybmw31

I noticed the low level light on 1st and then added 2 qts of oil. The indicator now states 3900 miles before oil runs out. It's been 15-25 degrees here, can it be pressure build up and cause some leak through the cap?

The oil level sensor is programmed to indicate when the engine is 1 quart low of oil. You should have seen a "+1 Oil" indicator. That means to ONLY add 1 quart of oil, no more than 1 quart. You said you added 2 quarts, the oil leak from the oil fill cap is either the cap was not correctly re-seated, or there is too much oil pressure in the engine and it is blowing by the seal on the oil cap. Change the oil, fill it with 7 quarts.

[NiVeDh]

That looks like coolant mixing with oil.

[jaza45]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

That looks like coolant mixing with oil.

+1

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

That looks like coolant mixing with oil.

Yeah, I was thinking that too, but I figured the pic wasn't exposed correctly. Once he drains the oil he'll know either way.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Yeah, I was thinking that too, but I figured the pic wasn't exposed correctly. Once he drains the oil he'll know either way.

Not uncommon IMO being that we're in the middle of winter.

[I335]

Like the others said, I'd say it's over filled. Also, that's got to be the dirtiest N54 I've ever seen. Clean that poor thing up!

[uberschnell]

Not sure from the photo - is that yellow gunk caked on?

If it is, the old 3.0's had a problem with this. The issue was the oil not getting hot enough to burn off the water trapped in it. Happened to people who lived in colder temps and used the cars for "short" trips that never let the oil temp reach operating temperature. Or if your thermostat failed open (like my X5)

Also, it's not uncommon for the oil seal to start leaking. Take the cover off (4 Allen bolts) and see how much oil is under there. I had mine replace under warranty at 25K miles. The oil had puddled up inside a couple of the plug wells and had begun causing misfires.

[raceyBMW]

Most likely the oil leak on the engine cover is because the filler cap gasket is bad...a bad filler cap gasket in the cold weather will lead to condensation forming near the top of the crankcase and mixing with the oil, creating the milky residue you are seeing.

I am guessing you probably drive the car only on short drives and it never has time to properly warm up? This will also increase the condensation.

First of all, pull the cap on the oil filter and/or drain the oil to see if the oil is milky in there, if it is not then it means your head gasket is fine. Then, replace the filler cap gasket and drive the car around so that it is heated up and bring it to redline several times. This should burn off the condensation and get rid of the milkiness.

It is best in the winter to get it to redline at least once on your trip to the office if you can so that it heats up the oil properly, but sometimes its just not possible.

[Perfectus]

Scary...interested to see what's going on here.

[M3 Eater]

i am seeing oil leaking onto the engine cover as well. Seems to be sneaking out from the cap but the gasket looks ok. Did change the oil and the filter o ring recently, no milky residue, just oil leaking.... lots of it! What is the fix? If the gasket looks good, will replacing the gasket help? Looks like the cap has locks on it that hold it down in place. Maybe one of them is bent? Anyone with a similar issue?

Also I have been hearing a whistling sound under load as well. I have been looknig for a boost leak but there doesn't seem to be one. Is the crankcase pressureized?

[raceyBMW]

Yes the crankcase is pressurized in all engines, usually more-so in a boosted car. If its very pressurized, then you may have a problem with the PCV system not letting the blow-by escape.

[M3 Eater]

no gasket on the oil cap in this picture....?? correct me if I am wrong..

[M3 Eater]

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

Yes the crankcase is pressurized in all engines, usually more-so in a boosted car. If its very pressurized, then you may have a problem with the PCV system not letting the blow-by escape.

I do have a an OCC with a modified connection. Its an L shaped nozzle that takes a 90 degree turn that is normally done with a hose. I figured that the plastic elbow would be better than a crimp in a hose. This may be the issue! Thanks for the feed back....

[M3 Eater]

WOW. Put on my stock hose and removed the OCC. The whistle was gone and the paper towel I put around the oil cap was bone dry after some stock pulls up to 120. About 5 or 6 pulls. Time for a different OCC i guess.