Feedback on PPI Results Please

[SLOWER]

47k miles.

COMPRESSION TEST (185, 190, 190, 190, 185, 190, 190, 195)

- REAR OIL DRAIN PLUG GASKET LEAKING
- OIL CONDITION SENSOR GASKET LEAKING
- Power Steering Hose/Line: SUCTION LINE AT RESERVOIR AND SUCTION LINE AT PUMP ARE LEAKING, INCLUDE 4 CLAMPS AND FLUID
- Transmission Pan Gasket: SEEPING, SPLASH PAN IS SATURATED, ADD FOR TOP UP FLUID
- TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER GASKET, SEEPING, ADD FOR TOP UP FLUID

Also recommended spark plugs replacement.


Would these all be considered normal at that mileage? Those gaskets have that short of a life? Sounds like that transmission service is pretty involved.

I have had a 335i with the N54 and currently own an E46 M3, so I am no stranger to BMW maintenance. Looking for some input. Thank you.

[spazzyfry123]

DCT or 6MT?

[SLOWER]

DCT

[tdott]

I would keep in mind that some places are over zealous with recommendations, basically if they see a little oil or seeping they say it needs to be replaced, they don't know the history of the car. If something was changed and didn't get cleaned off they will still say it's leaking.

The proper way to do it would be to clean the area off and check back after some driving, I bet most of those aren't really issues that need replacing.

Most of those are small items I wouldn't worry about. (ps line (res is known to overflow), oil sensor, plugs)

The DCT pan/side cover could be a bigger job, so i'd make sure that is actually leaking before getting anything done.

Since the drain plug is leaking, I would check to make sure it isn't cross threaded because that would be a pain needing to do a time-cert, re-tap the pan, or replace it completed to fix which is the most extreme option, but all require you to drain ~$100 worth of oil to address.

[Mvy]

What year is this car?

[deansbimmer]

Also consider that many these cars are around 10 years old. You didn't give us any other info at all about the car but miles aren't the only thing to consider regarding gasket life.

Completely typical to see leaks around the PS system, oil pan and DCT pans on these cars as they age... Those are a relatively simple same day service. Low compression on the other hand would not be a simple fix, but your example seems to show pretty strong numbers.

If that's all they found on the whole car then you probably found a winner.

[SLOWER]

Thanks all. It's a 2011. There's a few other filters and nonsense items but those were my big concerns. PPI was by a BMW dealer.

After speaking with my local Indy shop the trans work was my big concern but sounds like that's about $1000 job.

[PACarGuy]

Trans work is the only real concern there, and not from a standpoint of reliability or failure, but rather just cost to change the DCT pan and side cover gaskets. I just had side cover gasket done at the dealer under warranty and it was over $1,500 because you have to drop the transmission a bit to get to the gasket. An indy had quoted me ~$1,000 to do the DCT pan and gasket if that was the source of the seepage (it wasn't).

[Tewie]

I have a 2011 with 48k miles. Same seepage from the suction line, but the fluid level is still okay. I ordered a new clamp and fluid for about $20. You can get a new reservoir for about $25 which also houses the filter if you wanna go that route. Going to replace the clamp, clean the area and see if the leak returns. My DCT pan is seeping and the catch pan is pretty saturated. Ordered a new DCT pan, fluid, plugs and filter for about $500. Going to replace the pan clean the area and check the side cover as well while I'm in there. Pretty straight forward DIYs on the forum to change these parts. Just fix the issues as needed and enjoy!

[spiderspider]

those fall into the "good to know" category for me. nothing major. certainly not deal killers.

[SLOWER]

Thanks guys. I'm waiting on the selling dealer to see what they are willing to do on the price of the car and hope to soon be reporting a purchase.

[amrazM]

All the dct’s leak at the bottom pan and side pan and bmw could never design a ps system that doesn’t leak anyways. Car seems ok, be careful of the oil pan because a lot of shops ring the threads inside the pan being that it’s aluminum from overtightening.

It can be fixed or you’ll need a new oil pan.

[smyles]

This report reminded of a typical house inspection, when an inspector lists every tiny imperfection to justify his fee +and buyers try to squeeze few bucks from sellers).

[GRUESOM3]

Isn't a compression test a little excessive on a 47k mile car that cost 30k I mean this isn't a 100k buy

[SLOWER]

Originally Posted by GRUESOM3

Isn't a compression test a little excessive on a 47k mile car that cost 30k I mean this isn't a 100k buy

It's not a Toyota Camry, either.

With Carfax being the only indication of service in this case, any info on the car is valuable to me.