I'm leaking oil, any suggestions - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**c1apton** · 01-05-2006, 05:10 PM

You might try some teflon tape on the threads (of the drain plug) That works well if the pan thread are getting worn.

nick_318is · 01-05-2006, 05:14 PM

^sounds like its worth a try, Here comes another drain of the oil.

nick_318is · 01-06-2006, 12:54 PM

Well I drained it again, tried the teflon tape and still no luck. At this point I'm going to make some phone calls and see what it would cost to have the lower oil pan replaced, might have someone take a look and tell me if there are other/cheaper options.

I priced it out online and I can get a new lower pan for about $127, plus $10 for a new lower gasket, do I also need the upper gasket if I decide to do this myself. Here is a link:
Lower oil Pan
Oil Pan Gaskets
Can you guys tell me if i need both the uper and lower gaskets or just the lower.

I think I would replace all of the nuts as well which is probably another 10 bucks, as well as a new plug.

I took a look and the lower would be pretty easy to do but it would probably take me a half day of swearing and I might put it off until the spring, unless I can get a good deal from someone to do it for me.

**38927** · 01-09-2006, 08:15 PM

alright man I actually have to be an expert on m42 oil pans (since ive broken more then 3 sets of top and lower pans). The lower pan is a snap just take off. Wrench off the 16 bolts or so around it, of course after draining the oil. Then simply lower the pan from the upper pan section. Replace with new gasket and pan. Done!

The upper however is a bitch, especially if its your first time. You have to removed the lower, dipstick, oil pick-up tube. Then you have to Wrench off the 25 or so bolts holding that pan. Then unsnap the mount bolts, and raise the enigine. Once the engine is raised the best trick is to slide a big socket in between the bolt and mount location so you can remove the jack. Then slide the pan off.

Good luck!
-James

nick_318is · 01-09-2006, 08:44 PM

It looks like its just the lower so I may do it, or else if the price is right I will have someone else do it, I only wish the weather here was nice or I would do it right away. Thanks for the response, I did take a good look under the car and it looked very straightforward as you said.

**TJsBimm** · 01-09-2006, 09:55 PM

Is the threads cross threaded in the the drain plug? Happens when rookies working on it. If so just get the threads re tapped. Just a suggestion

nick_318is · 01-09-2006, 10:20 PM

It wasn't leaking (at least that I noticed) until just before christmas, and it had been several months since I did my last oil change. I think what probably happened was I was driving when we had a bunch of snow and I remember one time getting a block of ice I think it hit near the plug enough to fuck something up. I don't know for sure how it happened but thats my best guess.

**TJsBimm** · 01-09-2006, 10:24 PM

ya i hit a snow patch about 3ft high at like 4:00 a.m a couple a yrs ago almost stalled the car but took out the underneath in the the front......snow sucksss. The plow just decided to leave the snow on an off ramp.asshole

**TJsBimm** · 01-09-2006, 10:35 PM

A little silicone around the bolt might help

nick_318is · 01-11-2006, 11:13 AM

well i ended up taking it in, turns out that i did crack the oil pan (where i couldn't tell you). I took it in cause it was leaking more and more and I did not have the time to get to it now and I didn't wanna keep feeding it oil every other day.

**brett murphy** · 05-30-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_318is

Hey Guys,

I just noticed today that my car is leaking oil from the drain plug, its a slow drip but I have lost some oil over the past few days. I tried to see if it was loose and could get the bolt tightened up but no luck, its still got the leak. Any Suggestions for what did it or for a fix.

I think i might have gotten a block of ice or something while driving but i'm not sure, in the meantime I'm just gonna get a quart of oil and watch my oil level so it doesn't get too low.

I do need an oil Change soon So I will plan to fix this then. Could my solution be as easy as a new oil plug?

Nick

the most common reason for this problem is the old crush washer was not removed on the last oil change the they were doubled up causing one to egg shape allowing oil to escape around it. if the oil truly is leaking from the drain plug and the oil pan is not stripped the repair is easy and cheep

**workman482** · 06-02-2011, 09:50 AM

Just throwing in my 2 cents worth

Since nick_318is last post on this thread was 01/2006 I assume that the leak was fixed, but it sounded like a fishy garage as they never showed him the crack.

Any time you take your car to a garage and the replace a part it is your right by Federal mandate that the garage has to give you the old part for inspection if you ask for it. In this case I would have at least asked to see the old oil pan and if they couldn't show me the crack they would have been talking to a lawyer.

**ang** · 03-03-2012, 03:15 PM

please help, oil poor's out of my car when im driving, its been in the garage, ive had the rocket gasket cover changed, all the seals replaced and now they are saying it might be the motor...... if its not that what could it be????

please help as i haven't got a clue.

Ive got a 54 plate compact