Help! Oil leak!

[Ra_]

Alright guys, I want try and figure this out and explore my options before I hand it over to the stealership. Want your advice. Went to swap on winter tires this weekend and noticed a small puddle/drops of what looks like oil. Got underneath the car and noticed remnence of oil around the oil pan and drain plugs. From above in the engine compartment, no obvious signs of leak (oil filler cap, top block, etcs). However there appears to be remnence of old oil around the oil filter housing which appears to be normal from regular oil changes. I understand it could be a million possibilities. But thought I'd give it a shot. Here are some pics.

Front drain plug:


Area immediately after drain plug:


Oil filter housing but no signs of leak in the vicinity:




Currently, the car is on jacks overnight, and as of this morning, didn't see any new drops on the floor. Car is an E90 MY08, w/ 60k on the odo. Oil level reads slightly above max but no vehicle message notifications.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Ra

[dparm]

It looks like the filter gasket is weeping. The housing should not be that oily and dirty.

[Ra_]

Originally Posted by dparm

It looks like the filter gasket is weeping. The housing should not be that oily and dirty.

I think you are right. I had the oil/filter done in September. What would cause the gasket to go bad so soon? Also, can I just replace the filter/gasket or should I do the full oil change?

[arter]

I would clean off all those areas and see if the oil comes back.

There is an large o-ring on the filter housing that maybe they didn't put back on. Replacements come in the filter kit. Take the housing off and look ( top of the threads).

You shouldn't need to change the oil, just top it off. All the oil is leaving your system......

[dparm]

Either the gasket is missing, or was improperly installed and got torn when they torqued it down.

Wipe the oil off the housing and see if it returns. I had a small leak from there, took it to the dealer, and they discovered the gasket was leaking and replaced it, then steam cleaned the engine bay.

[apecush]

Uv dye would solve this in a heartbeat.

[Ra_]

I replace the oil filter and gaskets. I noticed the gasket that was on was slightly thinner than the new one I replaced it with. Not sure if that contributed or not. I also drain about half a liter out and got the oil level right at the top of the ok meter. After a few neighborhood laps, I don't see any signs of leak from the filter housing.

However, after spending more time underneath the car, I'm starting to get paranoid and wonder if the leaks are in multiple locations. I came across this thread on the non-M E9X forum about oil pan leaks, and oil pan gasket replacements after 60k. Going to keep an eye on it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601122

[dparm]

Sounds like a slow leak. I wouldn't lose sleep over it -- just keep an eye on the oil level.