Re: E30 M3 sudden oil leak

["Alan Alfano" <Alan.Alfano@xxxxxxxx>]

John,
I agree with Jefrem's comment that the leak could be something other than
the rear seal.
Consider checking the oil pressure switch and the oil filter housing.
The oil filter housing leaking problem occurred on:
The E30 M20 (B25 with engine oil cooler) and S-14 (M-power) engines.

This thread has been addressed in previous digest posts.
I found them at Dale Beuning's Search Page
http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/search.html

http://www.eskimo.com/~dalus/bmw/e30/engine/e30_leaking_oil_filter_housing.
html
(this documents my fix to a E30 325ix)

Regards,
Alan Alfano
alan.alfano@domain.elided

BMW CCA #30492
iX Registry # 214

1988 BMW 325iX
1956 Austin-Healey 100M (2)

==========================================================
>From: Jefrem Iwaniw <jiwaniw@domain.elided>
>Hi John,
>Many times, it will appear that the leak is coming from "the small gap
>between the bell housing and the engine" when in fact its origin is
>someplace else.  This junction is one of the lowest points on the
>drivetrain, and leaks from other parts of the engine will run down the
>side of the block (or wherever) to this point before dripping to the
>ground.  Now, my experience in this area is from my '02, whose M10 engine
>shares many characteristics with your S14, but it is very different in
>many ways also, so this advice may not apply.  However, it can't hurt, and
>is alot easier than replacing the rear main seal :=).
>Check the following:
>- -oil pressure sender -- these can start to leak
>- -distributor mounting case (if you have one) -- check that all fo the
>bolts are correctly torqued
>- -exhaust manifold nuts/studs - check to make sure that they are all
seated
>correctly
>I'm sure the E30 M3 owners will chime-in with other suggestions.  Good
>luck!
>
>- -Jefrem Iwaniw, jiwaniw@domain.elided, '72 2002, '94 525i
> Keller, TX
>==========================================================
On Wed, 2 Dec 1998, John Masles wrote:
> I know what the likely answer is, but I'm looking for alternatives ....
> My 88 with 72k miles on it went from a drip of oil every few days to
> a 2 inch puddle each day. This occured virtually overnight and wasn't
> the result of any unusual activity ( no missed shift ). I've been
underneath
> and the leak is out of the small gap between the bell housing and the
> engine. Is there any chance that there's a plug in the back of the engine
> that started leaking? Or perhaps a stuck oil pressure regulator that is
> causing a boost in oil pressure?
>
> The previous owner had the seals ( including rear main ) replaced 3 yrs
> ago ( maybe 20k miles worth ). It started leaking after a year or so with
> Mobil one 15-50. I switched to Redline 20-50 a year or so ago, and
noticed
> a significant reduction in leakage ....
>
> T.i.a.
> John.

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