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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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need help, found leaks everywhere
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12-19-2013, 01:04 PM | #1 |
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Thought I'd move this here for more exposure...
So long story short, I installed my ets 5” fmic and er chargepipe w/ hks bov the other night. It was my first time getting underneath my car and I found oil in places it shouldn't be. My car has about 50k miles 1. Oil on rear turbo ![]() There was some oil on the under tray and some of the hoses at the bottom of the car. It wasn’t a puddle or anything but noticeable. From searching, it looks like this is from the rear turbo seal. I start losing oil after about 5k after an oil change so this would explain why. I have downpipes that I have been waiting to install and am in a dilemma on what to do. My turbos hold boost fine but lately have started whining when cold. I guess my questions are: -How long have you guys ridden on your turbo’s with the seals leaking? -Any downside for continuing to drive with this leak? besides loosing some oil -Should I go back to stock now (before downpipe install) and try my luck at getting turbo’s through the stealership? Or should I install my downpipes and ride it out till these die? 2. Transmission oil leak From what I’ve read it’s the mechatronic connector sleep that’s leaking. I’d greatly appreciate it if anyone can confirm or offer any advice 3. Control arms Is this what leaking control arms look like? There’s that black stuff all over near the bushings? Leaky control arms look different from the pictures I’ve seen online. Just want to check if I should get these replaced with m3 arms lol ![]() Man this car is starting to seem really expensive but i need fix my transmission and buy turbos ![]() ![]() Here the pics: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by iturbo_bmw; 12-19-2013 at 01:11 PM.. |
12-19-2013, 01:08 PM | #2 |
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[QUOTE=e92_bmw;15147824]Thought I'd move this here for more exposure...
So long story short, I installed my ets 5” fmic and er chargepipe w/ hks bov the other night. It was my first time getting underneath my car and I found oil in places it should be. My car has about 50k miles 1. Oil on rear turbo ![]() There was some oil on the under tray and some of the hoses at the bottom of the car. It wasn’t a puddle or anything but noticeable. From searching, it looks like this is from the rear turbo seal. I start losing oil after about 5k after an oil change so this would explain why. I have downpipes that I have been waiting to install and am in a dilemma on what to do. My turbos hold boost fine but lately have started whining when cold. I guess my questions are: -How long have you guys ridden on your turbo’s with the seals leaking? -Any downside for continuing to drive with this leak? besides loosing some oil -Should I go back to stock now (before downpipe install) and try my luck at getting turbo’s through the stealership? Or should I install my downpipes and ride it out till these die? 2. Transmission oil leak From what I’ve read it’s the mechatronic connector sleep that’s leaking. I’d greatly appreciate it if anyone can confirm or offer any advice 3. Control arms Is this what leaking control arms look like? There’s that black stuff all over near the bushings? Leaky control arms look different from the pictures I’ve seen online. Just want to check if I should get these replaced with m3 arms lol ![]() Man this car is starting to seem really expensive but i need fix my transmission and buy turbos ![]() ![]() DOH! ![]() |
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12-19-2013, 01:10 PM | #3 |
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Man sorry to hear ur story. this may be too late for you but you NEVER purchase a e92 without entended warranty in order to avoid being brankrupt. If you are mechanic inclined you can do this yourself and save lost of $. If not Indy shops in your area are giong to be your best friends.
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12-19-2013, 01:35 PM | #4 | |
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People usually go bankrupt so they can walk away from loans on their 4th and 5th investment properties (a coworker walked away from 3 houses in Phoenix, saved over a million dollars, and since it was only in her name Bonnie and Clyde now have 5 houses and all are in the black) |
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12-19-2013, 01:39 PM | #5 | |
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12-19-2013, 01:51 PM | #6 | |
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You can also pay 3k for an extended warranty, and never use it, and you are also in the red by 3k. The question becomes risk v. reward, and if you think you can beat the house. Many people flock to Vegas despite the odds, and some do beat the house. Are you feeling lucky? |
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12-19-2013, 02:41 PM | #7 | |
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It’s hard for me to see in your pic if the oil on the turbo is from the housing or one of the supply lines. Plumbing is not fun on those. The pic of the lower bell housing could be a number of things: oil dripping down from the turbo, oil pan gasket, rear main. I suggest fixing the top most leak & cleaning everything up before trying to guess what it is. Did you have a pic of the mechatronic sleeve? It’s on the R/R of the trans. Those FCAB’s have leaked out, new arms come w/ new bushings, or take the arms off & have new bushings pressed in (this is only supposed to be done 1 time on these because the arm is aluminum). I have heard of people filling the bushings with a flexible caulking, but I have never seen or done it myself. |
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12-19-2013, 02:53 PM | #8 | |
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damn so the controls arms are gone? I'll be upgrading to m3 control arms if thats the case.. I'll try to take more/better pictures tonight I'm taking the car in on Monday to have the leaks looked. hopefully its not the turbos.. I might just buy a 3rd party warranty over the weekend depending on the price |
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12-19-2013, 03:15 PM | #9 | |
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Not the arms, just the bushings. Checking of the ball joints is down with a special tool by BMW standards, most check the ball joints with a large pair of channel locks, but this is not a valid way to check them by BMW. If you do buy a third party warranty, I urge you to really go over the covered & not covered items & conditions. For example the oil leak form the turbo might be covered, but the oil leak from the bushings may considered “regular wear & tear” by a warranty company. |
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12-20-2013, 01:06 PM | #10 | |
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01-07-2014, 02:10 PM | #11 |
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so i had a chance to go to 2 different shops to have my leaks looked at and now i am even more confused than ever
![]() Turns out my turbo's are not leaking and neither is my transmission ![]() but my controls arms bushing do need to be replaced but right now the oil leak is more important shop #1 (bavarian motorsport - mostly do maintenance stuff) said that my valve cover gasket is leaking and so is my oil filter housing gasket. they said the oil was leaking down under the engine and to the back of the under tray(near the transmission). this made sense but.. shop #2 (speed element - do lots of work on suburu's and evo's) said that my oil pan is leaking and will need to be replaced with an oil change so i'm like wtf which shop is right ![]() your help is greatly appreciated! |
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01-07-2014, 02:29 PM | #12 |
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Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket replacement are 1. cheap(er) and 2. easily DIYable. 50k miles is usually when seals start to go. If you can DIY those 2 and the leak goes away, great. If it's the pan gasket, well you just preventative maintained 2 other leak prone gaskets.
Alternatively, you can (safely) degrease/clean your engine (especially near and around the valve cover, oil filter and oil pan) and then drive the car around for a little bit. Take a look see where, if at all, oil is found. Edit: Balls; just saw it's a 335. The VCG DIY might be more complex but is still cheaper than oil pan gasket.
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01-07-2014, 03:21 PM | #13 |
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With regards to the control arm bushings...just get new arms with bushings already in them & brand new ball joints at the other end. The cost is virtually the same & then you won't be replacing ball joints in 6 months.
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01-07-2014, 03:25 PM | #14 |
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01-07-2014, 03:26 PM | #15 |
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Info..
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01-07-2014, 04:10 PM | #16 | |
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thanks! i never thought about it like that. VCG doesn't seem too hard, i have a friend who would have all the tools required. i may just attempt to do them myself if its easy enough thanks! yeah I think i will just buy the m3 parts as i was going to do them later on anyways |
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01-07-2014, 04:21 PM | #17 |
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Proactivity and vigilance is fundamental for these cars. I would ask around and find the most reputable shop and have them address all these issues. If there is anything internally wrong i would stay away from mods at this point and get it back to full functionality. If you start modifying this car and there is one weak link plan on failure.... I would only mod a car that is solid as a rock from top to bottom. Otherwise you're just gong to exacerbate the problem.
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01-07-2014, 05:10 PM | #18 | |
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01-09-2014, 03:59 PM | #19 |
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Can someone just confirm for me that where the oil seems to be leaking from in the following picture is in face the valve cover gasket??
Please..lol. This is only place I can find anything leaking and just want to be sure what it is before I order the parts |
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01-09-2014, 09:38 PM | #21 |
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Turbos have the extended warranty. Def go get them replaced.
I got lucky with a mod-friendly tech and he installed my downpipes for FFFRRREEEEEEEEEEE since he was already in there wreckin up the place. |
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control arms, oil leak, transmission leak, turbo seals |
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