Leak on Exhaust? (Pics attached)

BHenderson · Mon, Nov-15-2010, 10:47:29 PM

Lately on occasion I will catch a whiff of an oil burning smell. I have yet to put my car on jack stands, but does this leak look like it's coming from the transmission area? I'm starting to think that maybe I didn't tighten the fill plug all the way.

If it's an actual oil leak like from the CPV, wouldn't it be further up? Also, I haven't lost a drop of oil as far as I can tell. I plan on putting my car on stands this weekend and having a look.

Jumbosock · Mon, Nov-15-2010, 11:23:05 PM

It's hard to tell because you need to remove the plastic underliner. It could be the CPV but you really need to remove the plastic and take a look. The CPV is quite a bit further forward so it would probably make more of a mess than what you see. I know this from experience.

CoEEzi · Mon, Nov-15-2010, 11:26:44 PM

just from my experience the CPV leak will drip down to around the oil plug and skid plate not that area.

BHenderson · Mon, Nov-15-2010, 11:44:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

It's hard to tell because you need to remove the plastic underliner. It could be the CPV but you really need to remove the plastic and take a look. The CPV is quite a bit further forward so it would probably make more of a mess than what you see. I know this from experience.

I guess it wouldn't make sense that it would be an oil leak from the engine if it's that far back from it. Do you think it's okay to take the fill plug off the transmission on an incline only to reattach it soon after? I read that you must have the car level in order to remove the fill plug, but I just want to remove it and torque it down again if the fluid is coming from that area which I suspect it is.

mredwin25 · Tue, Nov-16-2010, 01:04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoEEzi

just from my experience the CPV leak will drip down to around the oil plug and skid plate not that area.

CPV can make one nasty mess down there, mine started leaking down the side of the block and all the way back to the sec 1...including the headers, nasty leak

BHenderson · Tue, Nov-16-2010, 02:42:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredwin25

CPV can make one nasty mess down there, mine started leaking down the side of the block and all the way back to the sec 1...including the headers, nasty leak

Ouch, were you losing a lot of oil? The oil level hasn't changed a bit for me.

mredwin25 · Tue, Nov-16-2010, 02:53:48 PM

in my case, yes, and the strange thing is, it happened from one day to the other

BHenderson · Tue, Nov-16-2010, 09:53:49 PM

I'll have a look at it on Saturday. I guess I'm not going to worry about the leak until then since there's not much I can do without taking the shield off.

BHenderson · Sat, Nov-20-2010, 06:52:04 PM

The good news is that the leak is not coming from the transmission at all. The bad news is that the leak is dripping back from the passenger side of the engine. It's not coming from the rear main seal as far as I can tell (that area is dry).

The leak is coming back to the passenger side of the transmission, dripping down onto the plastic cover beneath, and then the wind from below is blowing the oil onto the exhaust. Do you think it's the CPV?

mredwin25 · Sat, Nov-20-2010, 07:36:51 PM

Yes no doubt

Mon, Nov-15-2010, 11:23:05 PM	#2
Jumbosock Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Age: 36 Posts: 1,032 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	It's hard to tell because you need to remove the plastic underliner. It could be the CPV but you really need to remove the plastic and take a look. The CPV is quite a bit further forward so it would probably make more of a mess than what you see. I know this from experience. __________________

Mon, Nov-15-2010, 11:26:44 PM	#3
CoEEzi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Reputation: 0	just from my experience the CPV leak will drip down to around the oil plug and skid plate not that area. __________________ 02 CB M3: PSS9s / CCFL AE / Matte Black Grills / Gills / Dinan Exhaust / Dinan CAI / Dinan stg3 tune/ Dice / 18% Tint All around /

Tue, Nov-16-2010, 02:53:48 PM	#7
mredwin25 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,721 Reputation: 0 Location: Broward	in my case, yes, and the strange thing is, it happened from one day to the other __________________ E90 Jerez M3 335i Vert

Tue, Nov-16-2010, 09:53:49 PM	#8
BHenderson Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,262 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	I'll have a look at it on Saturday. I guess I'm not going to worry about the leak until then since there's not much I can do without taking the shield off. __________________

Sat, Nov-20-2010, 06:52:04 PM	#9
BHenderson Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,262 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	The good news is that the leak is not coming from the transmission at all. The bad news is that the leak is dripping back from the passenger side of the engine. It's not coming from the rear main seal as far as I can tell (that area is dry). The leak is coming back to the passenger side of the transmission, dripping down onto the plastic cover beneath, and then the wind from below is blowing the oil onto the exhaust. Do you think it's the CPV? __________________

Sat, Nov-20-2010, 07:36:51 PM	#10
mredwin25 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,721 Reputation: 0 Location: Broward	Yes no doubt __________________ E90 Jerez M3 335i Vert

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