N54: Where's this leak?

NLDoc · 09-25-2020, 11:49 PM

Hi all. Can smell oil burning once my 2008 335xi gets hot. Leak seems to be coming from left lower rear of engine when facing from the front. A couple of not-so-great pics. Can anyone identify the source of the leak, or tell me most likely spot to look? TIA

Emilime75 · 09-26-2020, 01:41 AM

Most likely in that area would be the valve cover gasket, but it doesn't appear so in your photos - typically you'd see it all along that side of the cover. Maybe yours is leaking further back, or it could be rear turbo oil lines.

Chappers 71 · 09-26-2020, 02:32 AM

Try cleaning the area up with engine degreaser, you'll then have a better chance of seeing where it's coming from.
I would say vcg, if you notice fresh oil on the heat shield then it'll definitely be vcg.

Soden82 · 09-26-2020, 06:54 AM

Probably VCG leaking in the rear of the head causing oil to leak onto the cats and burn off. That was the case with mine and I had smoke in the same area

relative4 · 09-26-2020, 07:30 AM

That's the right, and yes, it's the VCG.

09-25-2020, 11:49 PM	#1
NLDoc New Member 6 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi / 2019 X3 30i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Newfoundland iTrader: (0)	N54: Where's this leak? Hi all. Can smell oil burning once my 2008 335xi gets hot. Leak seems to be coming from left lower rear of engine when facing from the front. A couple of not-so-great pics. Can anyone identify the source of the leak, or tell me most likely spot to look? TIA Attached Images
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09-26-2020, 01:41 AM	#2
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	Most likely in that area would be the valve cover gasket, but it doesn't appear so in your photos - typically you'd see it all along that side of the cover. Maybe yours is leaking further back, or it could be rear turbo oil lines.
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09-26-2020, 02:32 AM	#3
Chappers 71 Major General 5532 Rep 5,443 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	Try cleaning the area up with engine degreaser, you'll then have a better chance of seeing where it's coming from. I would say vcg, if you notice fresh oil on the heat shield then it'll definitely be vcg. __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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09-26-2020, 06:54 AM	#4
Soden82 Major 483 Rep 1,200 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Probably VCG leaking in the rear of the head causing oil to leak onto the cats and burn off. That was the case with mine and I had smoke in the same area __________________ 2009 BMW 335i 6MT big single (eventually) For now... MHD tuned VRSF Race IC DCI ATM exhaust
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09-26-2020, 07:30 AM	#5
relative4 Major 612 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: '08 335xi E90 MT stage 1+ Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	That's the right, and yes, it's the VCG.
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