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Oil Leak

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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BIG DIN
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Oil Leak

Post by BIG DIN » Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:56 pm

Hi guys,

I have a oil leak from somewhere on the right hand side of the engine (if looking down on it from the front) on my 3.0d. I first noticed the whole side covered in oil which I washed down fully. A couple of weeks later now I had another look and there is again evidence of a leak coming from what looks like the higher part of the engine hence oil running all down the side but I can't pinpoint where it might be coming from.

I was just wondering if this a common leak and if anyone else has experienced it and where it might be.
2004 facelift E53 3.0 Diesal

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X5Sport
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Re: Oil Leak

Post by X5Sport » Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:17 pm

Check the oil filter cap is correctly fitted and not spraying into the engine.  Have you had the plastic engine cover off to have a look?  There's not much on that side of the engine from what I remember.  If you can, stick a piccie up.

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Re: Oil Leak

Post by BIG DIN » Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:29 pm

Yes when I washed it all down I took the cover off.
When you say oil filter cap do you mean the oil cap or is there another one?
I will try take the cover off again tomorrow and take a pic. It seems like the back corner of the top of the engine.
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Re: Oil Leak

Post by X5Sport » Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:46 pm

Back Corner?  Not spraying out of the dipstick tube at the bottom is it?  Otherwise things like head/rocker cover  gaskets start to come to mind.

The oil filter is the odd looking 'can' with a black plastic domed cap at front right in this image......with the large hex head on it.  It's almost directly opposite of the filler cap on the other side of the engine.  Ignore the markings in yellow.....the image was used in a how to change the breather thread a couple of years back.  If it's at the back, then it's not that.

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Last edited by X5Sport on Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil Leak

Post by awj85 » Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:36 pm

just replaced the head gasket on mine.  Was unsure where the leak was coming from as it was not initially visible.  Thought it might have been the sump as it run Down that area too.

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Re: Oil Leak

Post by BIG DIN » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:25 am

Sorry guys still not had a chance to take a couple of pics yet with the top civer removed. Hopefully this weekend.
2004 facelift E53 3.0 Diesal

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Re: Oil Leak

Post by BIG DIN » Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:39 am

Trying to upload some pics but having a few problems with 3G on my phone.

From the pic X5sport put up it on the right hand side of the engine and it looks like its coming from somewhere near the top and possibly running down or something as the side of the engine covered in oil. Over the the last 2 months the level hasnt really dropped at all so not sure whats going on.

Will try again to post pics
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Re: Oil Leak

Post by Jinja » Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:51 am

I would hazard a guess and say the rocker cover gasket.  Roughly £200 fitted from an Indy BMW specialist......
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