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      11-15-2016, 01:27 AM   #1
distinctperson
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35is Engine Oil Leak

So my IS engine started leaking oil today. After finishing a roughly 100 mile commute, upon my arrival home, when I turned off the car, I noticed the yellow Low Engine Oil pop on the dashboard. Initially, I chalked it up to a malfunctioning sensor since I've seen the red (not yellow) Low Engine Oil pop a few times after having left the car parked on an incline overnight. In those erroneous cases, once I drive the car to a level ground, turn it off for a few mins, turn it on, the light is gone, and iDrive displays the right oil level. Not this time, however.

I followed the same sequence (turned off the car, let it be for a few mins, turned it on again) but the yellow light persisted this time (iDrive showed oil level right at the minimum line). Thats when I opened the hood, and tried to observe if I could spot any wet spots with a flashlight (it happened at night), but failed to find any. Still suspicious that it might be the sensor malfunctioning, I turned off the car, left it for 30 mins, and came back to check under the car this time, and sure enough, I noticed a mini-pool of engine oil and that's when I knew it was really happening again (3rd experience with the 3rd Z4 so far).

Soooo... I will have an indy check it out in a few days since I don't want to take it to the dealer as it's out of warranty and I am sure the bill will be 2k+ (it always is with me).

My question is, any idea of what could be causing the leak (58k miles on it so far) ? it is a rapid leak that must be coming somewhere from the bottom part of the engine, since nothing can be observed (even with close scrutiny) from under the hood at all. And the second part of the question is, what is the likely cost of fixing the darn thing ?

All input is appreciated!

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I was driving it a little hard (quick accelerations at multiple red lights) during the aforementioned commute, although didn't redline it.
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      11-15-2016, 07:26 PM   #2
jparnes1
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Oil pan gasket, oil filter housing, valve cover gasket are the most common things.
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2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.

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      11-16-2016, 04:30 PM   #3
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The valve cover can crack and leak enough oil to make its way down.

$300 part few hundred in labor.

If you can remove the plastic engine cover and take a look in the area where the spark plugs are you might be able to confirm.
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      11-16-2016, 10:42 PM   #4
ljkiter
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i did the valve cover twice in my e86. I guess i gotta do it for the e89 as well
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      11-22-2016, 07:21 PM   #5
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An update: I had a mechanic come over to check out the situation, and found that there are no leaks whatsoever from either oil pan gasket, oil filter housing, valve cover gasket or anywhere else. He also lifted the car and checked the bottom of the car, including the drain plug and it was dry without any signs of leaks. Yet, when turning the car on, the indicator still shows the oil range below the minimum line for whatever reason.

So, tomorrow, he is going to come back and change the oil so we could see how much oil is drained, to be able to tell conclusively whether actual oil was leaking out of somewhere, or whether the sensor was just malfunctioning.

Any thoughts so far ?
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      11-22-2016, 09:54 PM   #6
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Sounds to me just normal oil consumption then.

The yellow warning is indeed telling you it is getting low and due for a top up.

Nothing wrong with going through a bit of oil, especially after such a thorough inspection.

That said... you say you had oil on the ground. Either it wasn't oil or you didn't find the leak that you have. If there was enough oil to make a puddle I am sure there would be evidence of it somewhere. There are plastic panels for it to get through to reach the ground.

Good luck!
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      11-22-2016, 09:59 PM   #7
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NoQuarter, the mechanic's suspicions are that the "oil" that I discovered on the ground was merely water from the AC's condensation that I confused for oil at night. To be specific, since last oil replacement was 10k ago, are you saying it is possible that the turbos burned that much oil (from max to below minimum) over 10k without there being a leak ?
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      11-22-2016, 11:03 PM   #8
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Exactly. 1qt in 10k miles is little concern.

If you have no smoke in your exhaust, no leaks on top or underneath, and your coolant fluid looks like it is supposed too then no worries!
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      11-23-2016, 02:58 AM   #9
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So I added exactly 1 qrt of Castrol Safe 5W-40 just now, and guess what... the reading went back to where it was before: right at the Maximum line (from below minimum). Very very strange.

Obviously, it is either the sensor malfunctioning, or that the oil quality has degraded so much that once the fresh 1 qrt was added and mixed, the sensor finally recognized the mixture as valid and hence the reading went back to normal.

Will find out tomorrow when the mechanic drains and measures everything. Will update again then.
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      11-23-2016, 04:52 PM   #10
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I still don't think anything strange is going on.

You are supposed to get the warning when the oil is one quart low. You put 1 quart in and the level returns to maximum. This is a perfect behavior.

I'm sure you have some anxiety here... but cheer up! It seems to me everything is just as it should be.

I have 2 of these engines - My Z4 35is and a 535. Same engine... same behavior.

The sensor is just a level sensor... "do you have enough oil?" 1 qt low... display a warning.

The CBS "Condition Based Service" (not sure if that is exact or not) is what tells you are due for an oil change. It is monitoring oil temperatures, miles, hours, etc and other things I don't know about, and then says... you need an oil change.

Send me a PM if you would like to chat on the phone.

Jim
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