leaking oil

m3cragg · 03-19-2011, 09:50 PM

car has 30k miles on it and just noticed its leaking oil, is this normal, anyone else having these issue. Ive only had the car a couple weeks. I hate leaking oil

e1000 · 03-19-2011, 10:35 PM

No it should not leak oil. Get it checked out.

S65's do consume oil however, if that's what you're using to say it's leaking oil.

Prince_of_Persia · 03-19-2011, 11:17 PM

Leaking oil is not normal for any car! Get your dealership to check your car!

JCtx · 03-20-2011, 01:45 AM

What's the purpose of starting a thread about leaking oil if you don't even say from where?

Good luck.

m3cragg · 03-20-2011, 11:34 AM

i did some investigating and its seems to be leaking from the oil cap, I have a bunch of quarter size drops on the garage floor and in driveway and they are almost directly below the oil cap. Also around the oil cap is oily as well. Ill call dealership monday.

JCtx · 03-20-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3cragg

i did some investigating and its seems to be leaking from the oil cap

Now you're talking

. Typical problem. The oil cap on the M3 is crap, and if you don't oil the gasket a little bit (like a cartridge oil filter), it can bunch up and leak quite a bit, as you found out. Reason is the intake cam gear throws oil right at the cap, so it's imperative it's seating perfectly well. Nothing wrong with the cap if you take the precaution to lube the gasket before installation.

Unfortunately, this is another idiosyncrasy of the car most dealer techs don't know about. And no, it shouldn't be the case, but for those servicing their cars at dealerships, you need to check the oil cap before you leave. Good luck.

JIO · 03-20-2011, 08:09 PM

I've heard that buying the E46 M3 oil cap makes for a better seal & fit than the E90 oil cap.

Talk2meg00se · 03-28-2011, 01:12 PM

Argh, same problem here. Re-filled the oil the other day and now oil is slowly leaking out from the underneath the cap. The issue is clearly attributable to the rubber ring in the cap itself; it's not a huge issue, just annoying.

Looking for a new cap online and can't seem to find a viable replacement (any recommendations?). Will most likely contact BMW about needing a new cap.

Mr C · 03-28-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3cragg

i did some investigating and its seems to be leaking from the oil cap, I have a bunch of quarter size drops on the garage floor and in driveway and they are almost directly below the oil cap. Also around the oil cap is oily as well. Ill call dealership monday.

The OIL CAPS on MYs prior to 2011 had leaking problems. They changed the design starting with the 2011 (March 2010 Production.) MY.

BobsM3Coupe · 03-29-2011, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakar92

The OIL CAPS on MYs prior to 2011 had leaking problems. They changed the design starting with the 2011 (March 2010 Production.) MY.

The newer caps basically have a flat look to them whereas the original style caps have a rounded top. So far, mine has been fine.

saeedg48 · 03-29-2011, 02:17 AM

could be a bad oil pan or oil cap.. get it towed!
do not drive it if it's leaking excess amounts

GT3 Tim · 03-29-2011, 12:54 PM

A funny story (well, not really)............

My buddy took his M3 to the dealer for an oil change.

He smells oil the next day and pops the hood. They forgot to put the cap back on! Oil was everywhere! lol. They pressure washed it, etc, etc, etc. and made it right. I woulda been livid! lol

At any rate, glad to hear its only the seal on the cap. Take that sh!t back and have them replace it.

Looper · 03-29-2011, 03:45 PM

I had the cap bite me in the ass also, blew out a quart or so before I knew it was leaking and it was the cheesy gasket.

C00kedG00se · 05-03-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Looper

I had the cap bite me in the ass also, blew out a quart or so before I knew it was leaking and it was the cheesy gasket.

Track Day at Sebring this weekend.. I noticed a moderate amount of oil on the ground in in my pit stall... Opened up my hood and saw oil everywhere. Coming from the stupid oil cap. After a fair amount of clean up, it did take a couple attempts to get a good seal (and you really don't know it until you take it out and run it for a while).

Absolutely amazing they didn't see this in development. AN OIL CAP.... Are you kidding me?

Seattle S65B40 · 05-03-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

A funny story (well, not really)............

My buddy took his M3 to the dealer for an oil change.

He smells oil the next day and pops the hood. They forgot to put the cap back on! Oil was everywhere! lol. They pressure washed it, etc, etc, etc. and made it right. I woulda been livid! lol

At any rate, glad to hear its only the seal on the cap. Take that sh!t back and have them replace it.

Pressure washing the engine bay? Isn't that bad for the car?? I would be so pissed!

GT3 Tim · 05-03-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Pressure washing the engine bay? Isn't that bad for the car?? I would be so pissed!

Not sure exactly wtf they did to clean it, but I assume pressure washing or a steam cleaning....

GotGas · 05-03-2011, 06:10 PM

I had oil leak over the weekends. I notice there was a lot of oil in my front wheels when I washed my car on Saturday. I drove my car to Napa on Sunday. I checked the oil level early on that day. I had 1/4 left. On my way back home, the warning light came on indicated that the oil level was low.

I hope it is simple fix. I will take it to the dealer this Friday. Fortunately, it is still under warranty. My wife already complaint that this M3 is not very reliable. This car has few issues in the past. She wants me to get rid of it.

KGB7 · 05-03-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Pressure washing the engine bay? Isn't that bad for the car?? I would be so pissed!

No, its not bad.

M3maniac20 · 05-03-2011, 06:43 PM

Opened the hood the other day to wipe it off after washing it and noticed the same thing. Glad this isn't an issue because I was worried.

OC3 · 05-03-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3cragg

i did some investigating and its seems to be leaking from the oil cap, I have a bunch of quarter size drops on the garage floor and in driveway and they are almost directly below the oil cap. Also around the oil cap is oily as well. Ill call dealership monday.

My '08 M3 was leaking oil from the oil cap too.

I get the car back from a 15,000 mile service and, soon thereafter, I get low oil warning on the display. I stop by the dealer who did the service and the SA goes, 'you're probably driving the car hard and the car does consume oil, just buy some at the parts dept.' And, I'm going 'but, you guys did a 15,000 mile service earlier this week - i.e. oil change was done & topped off.' He shrugs.

So, I buy several quarts just in case and top off the oil. Few days later, I get the warning display again. I put more oil in. After about a week of that, I've gone through all the oil that I bought. And, I'm starting to notice oil drips on the driveway. I go back to the dealer, the SA has the car checked out, and it turns out, the o-ring/gasket under the oil cap was kinked (obviously by the mechanic who did the 15,000 mile service).

They replaced it, and cleaned up the engine/engine bay.

BobsM3Coupe · 05-03-2011, 07:46 PM

I thought I read that the 2011's came with a redesigned oil cap (has a flat looking top) that was supposed to prevent the gasket from causing a leak?

chmura · 05-03-2011, 08:01 PM

Can someone with a 2011.5 M3 take a picture of their oil cap? Curious to see the redesigned one.

03-19-2011, 09:50 PM	#1
m3cragg Private First Class 17 Rep 150 Posts Drives: F87 X3M Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	leaking oil car has 30k miles on it and just noticed its leaking oil, is this normal, anyone else having these issue. Ive only had the car a couple weeks. I hate leaking oil Last edited by m3cragg; 03-19-2011 at 10:03 PM..
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03-19-2011, 10:35 PM	#2
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	No it should not leak oil. Get it checked out. S65's do consume oil however, if that's what you're using to say it's leaking oil. __________________
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03-19-2011, 11:17 PM	#3
Prince_of_Persia Colonel 248 Rep 2,513 Posts Drives: 6MT E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (1)	Leaking oil is not normal for any car! Get your dealership to check your car! __________________ AW\|FR 6MT E92 ///M3
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03-20-2011, 01:45 AM	#4
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	What's the purpose of starting a thread about leaking oil if you don't even say from where? Good luck.
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03-20-2011, 11:34 AM	#5
m3cragg Private First Class 17 Rep 150 Posts Drives: F87 X3M Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	i did some investigating and its seems to be leaking from the oil cap, I have a bunch of quarter size drops on the garage floor and in driveway and they are almost directly below the oil cap. Also around the oil cap is oily as well. Ill call dealership monday.
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03-20-2011, 08:09 PM	#7
JIO Captain 46 Rep 636 Posts Drives: '09 Space Gray E92 M3 w/DCT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon iTrader: (0)	I've heard that buying the E46 M3 oil cap makes for a better seal & fit than the E90 oil cap.
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03-28-2011, 01:12 PM	#8
Talk2meg00se Captain 102 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Argh, same problem here. Re-filled the oil the other day and now oil is slowly leaking out from the underneath the cap. The issue is clearly attributable to the rubber ring in the cap itself; it's not a huge issue, just annoying. Looking for a new cap online and can't seem to find a viable replacement (any recommendations?). Will most likely contact BMW about needing a new cap.
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03-29-2011, 02:17 AM	#11
saeedg48 Brigadier General 342 Rep 3,574 Posts Drives: Porsche 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	could be a bad oil pan or oil cap.. get it towed! do not drive it if it's leaking excess amounts __________________ 2015 Porsche 991.1 GT3 2015 F80 M3 -- Individual; Space Grey
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03-29-2011, 12:54 PM	#12
GT3 Tim Moderator 94 Rep 1,920 Posts Drives: 2014 MB E63S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	A funny story (well, not really)............ My buddy took his M3 to the dealer for an oil change. He smells oil the next day and pops the hood. They forgot to put the cap back on! Oil was everywhere! lol. They pressure washed it, etc, etc, etc. and made it right. I woulda been livid! lol At any rate, glad to hear its only the seal on the cap. Take that sh!t back and have them replace it. __________________ Tim <--- apparently likes "3" cars 2014 E63S -- The Rocket 2014 F30 328i -- Kids car 2008 E90 M3 -- Sold 2004 GT3 -- Sold 1997 M3/4 -- Sold 1995 M3 -- Sold
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03-29-2011, 03:45 PM	#13
Looper BEAST 2 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fabulous Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	I had the cap bite me in the ass also, blew out a quart or so before I knew it was leaking and it was the cheesy gasket.
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05-03-2011, 06:10 PM	#17
GotGas Enlisted Member 0 Rep 31 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I had oil leak over the weekends. I notice there was a lot of oil in my front wheels when I washed my car on Saturday. I drove my car to Napa on Sunday. I checked the oil level early on that day. I had 1/4 left. On my way back home, the warning light came on indicated that the oil level was low. I hope it is simple fix. I will take it to the dealer this Friday. Fortunately, it is still under warranty. My wife already complaint that this M3 is not very reliable. This car has few issues in the past. She wants me to get rid of it.
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05-03-2011, 06:43 PM	#19
M3maniac20 Captain 87 Rep 725 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 335is Coupe Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	Opened the hood the other day to wipe it off after washing it and noticed the same thing. Glad this isn't an issue because I was worried. __________________ 2016 340i M-Sport 6-MT(on order) 2013 335is (still have) 2011.5 M3 ZCP (traded in)
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05-03-2011, 07:46 PM	#21
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1447 Rep 3,919 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	I thought I read that the 2011's came with a redesigned oil cap (has a flat looking top) that was supposed to prevent the gasket from causing a leak?
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05-03-2011, 08:01 PM	#22
chmura Colonel 1558 Rep 2,505 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orange County, California iTrader: (1)	Can someone with a 2011.5 M3 take a picture of their oil cap? Curious to see the redesigned one.
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