06 325i-Timing Cover Oil Leak

Explorerlyon · 05-20-2019, 04:07 PM

I was looking at purchasing a used 06 325i from car dealership (non bmw) that the dealership must of taken in on a trade. Their internal inspection report showed oil leak from Oil Pan 9.9, Timing Cover 9.5 and Valve Cover 4.5.

What is the timing cover that is leaking oil? I assume their numbers after each item are book time. If you are already replacing the valve cover gasket, how much more difficult is it to replace a timing cover gasket (if there is one).

lowrydr310 · 05-20-2019, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorerlyon

I was looking at purchasing a used 06 325i a car dealership (non bmw) that the dealership must of taken in on a trade. Their internal inspection report showed oil leak from Oil Pan 9.9, Timing Cover 9.5 and Valve Cover 4.5.

What is the timing cover that is leaking oil? I assume their numbers after each item are book time. If you are already replacing the valve cover gasket, how much more difficult is it to replace a timing cover gasket (if there is one).

There is no separate "timing cover" so I'm not sure what they're referring to.

If the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket are leaking, it's likely that the oil filter housing gasket is leaking too. This requires less time to replace than a valve cover gasket, so maybe that's what they're calling the "Valve Cover" and the "Timing Cover" with 9.5 is what we all commonly call the valve cover. There's no labor savings when doing them together; you can replace either one without touching the other. There's also the valvetronic motor gasket, which is attached to the valve cover. That's best replaced at the same time as replacing the valve cover gasket, since you have to remove the valvetronic motor (and gasket) to remove the valve cover.

However I wouldn't be getting any repairs done by someone claiming 10 hours for an oil pan gasket repair or 9.5 hours for a valve cover gasket repair. I replaced my valve cover gasket in about 6 hours and I *really* took my time, mostly just learning since I was unfamiliar with the N52 at the time.

Edit: I don't know how familiar you are with these cars, but those leaks shouldn't turn you away from the car. These are all common leaks and everyone here has had to deal with them.

Explorerlyon · 05-20-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

There is no separate "timing cover" so I'm not sure what they're referring to.

If the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket are leaking, it's likely that the oil filter housing gasket is leaking too. This requires less time to replace than a valve cover gasket, so maybe that's what they're calling the "Valve Cover" and the "Timing Cover" with 9.5 is what we all commonly call the valve cover. There's no labor savings when doing them together; you can replace either one without touching the other. There's also the valvetronic motor gasket, which is attached to the valve cover. That's best replaced at the same time as replacing the valve cover gasket, since you have to remove the valvetronic motor (and gasket) to remove the valve cover.

However I wouldn't be getting any repairs done by someone claiming 10 hours for an oil pan gasket repair or 9.5 hours for a valve cover gasket repair. I replaced my valve cover gasket in about 6 hours and I *really* took my time, mostly just learning since I was unfamiliar with the N52 at the time.

Edit: I don't know how familiar you are with these cars, but those leaks shouldn't turn you away from the car. These are all common leaks and everyone here has had to deal with them.

Thanks. They did list separately oil filter adapter housing 4.5. I am comfortable I can tackle the valve cover and the oil filter adapter housing myself. The oil pan I think I would pay someone else to fix it.

hassmaschine · 05-20-2019, 05:13 PM

Unless the oil pan is leaking like a BP oil rig, just leave it alone. It's not worth paying somebody $2000 to fix it when it might lose a quart in 10,000 miles.

the other leak sounds like either the OFH, valve cover, or possibly the two bolts in the timing cover area on the inside of the engine have broken and need replaced. you could do that while you do the VCG.

smass · 05-20-2019, 06:11 PM

There are a 4 head bolts that go into the timing chain cover area. Usually only the outer exposed one breaks (figure #1 in 1st link). See links below for more info.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lt_Testing.htm

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=958844

hassmaschine · 05-20-2019, 06:22 PM

Calling them 'head bolts' is misleading (although technically correct), since they don't actually seal the combustion chambers or coolant passages around the cylinders. It's just that on an N5x, BMW integrated the timing cover with the head and block, ironically because it reduces the chances of a leak..

smass · 05-20-2019, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Calling them 'head bolts' is misleading (although technically correct), since they don't actually seal the combustion chambers or coolant passages around the cylinders. It's just that on an N5x, BMW integrated the timing cover with the head and block, ironically because it reduces the chances of a leak..

Agreed. But when I call them timing chain cover bolts, someone always seems to correct me

Efthreeoh · 05-20-2019, 09:10 PM

Is the car 2-door or 4-door?

hassmaschine · 05-20-2019, 09:18 PM

pretty sure all 06's are 4 doors.

also, if the gasket is leaking because the bolts are broken - you can just replace the bolts, and it should stop the leak.

Efthreeoh · 05-21-2019, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

pretty sure all 06's are 4 doors.

also, if the gasket is leaking because the bolts are broken - you can just replace the bolts, and it should stop the leak.

The 2006 325Ci (2-door coupe) was an E46 with an M54, which has a timing case. I was just trying to verify if the OP has an E90 or an E46. If it is an E46, then it could have a leak at the timing case. The E92 2-door coupe didn't come out until 2007.

Explorerlyon · 05-21-2019, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Is the car 2-door or 4-door?

4-door.

Efthreeoh · 05-21-2019, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorerlyon

4-door.

Alright good. Now we know it's an E90. So everyone is pretty much correct. They could have meant the OFHG, or the bolts are broken in the front of the engine.

smass · 05-22-2019, 06:18 AM

If the bolt in Figure 1 above is broken, is an easy fix. Loosen the intake manifold bolts, pull the front of the manifold back an inch or so, spin out the broken bolt (it should come out easily with a pick) and replace bolt. There is no need to unhook the intake wiring or tubes.

When the bolt breaks, pressurized oil comes up from the threads and leaks down the side of the head. It is common for this bolt to break on 2006 N52.

05-20-2019, 04:07 PM	#1
Explorerlyon Private First Class 108 Rep 148 Posts Drives: Porsche 986 Acura TL-SHAWD BMW Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335xi [0.00] 2006 E90 330i [0.00] 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD [0.00] 2001 Porsche 986 [0.00]	06 325i-Timing Cover Oil Leak I was looking at purchasing a used 06 325i from car dealership (non bmw) that the dealership must of taken in on a trade. Their internal inspection report showed oil leak from Oil Pan 9.9, Timing Cover 9.5 and Valve Cover 4.5. What is the timing cover that is leaking oil? I assume their numbers after each item are book time. If you are already replacing the valve cover gasket, how much more difficult is it to replace a timing cover gasket (if there is one). Last edited by Explorerlyon; 05-20-2019 at 04:58 PM..
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05-20-2019, 05:13 PM	#4
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Unless the oil pan is leaking like a BP oil rig, just leave it alone. It's not worth paying somebody $2000 to fix it when it might lose a quart in 10,000 miles. the other leak sounds like either the OFH, valve cover, or possibly the two bolts in the timing cover area on the inside of the engine have broken and need replaced. you could do that while you do the VCG.
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05-20-2019, 06:11 PM	#5
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	There are a 4 head bolts that go into the timing chain cover area. Usually only the outer exposed one breaks (figure #1 in 1st link). See links below for more info. https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lt_Testing.htm https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=958844
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05-20-2019, 06:22 PM	#6
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Calling them 'head bolts' is misleading (although technically correct), since they don't actually seal the combustion chambers or coolant passages around the cylinders. It's just that on an N5x, BMW integrated the timing cover with the head and block, ironically because it reduces the chances of a leak..
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05-20-2019, 09:10 PM	#8
Efthreeoh General 17314 Rep 18,737 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Is the car 2-door or 4-door? __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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05-20-2019, 09:18 PM	#9
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	pretty sure all 06's are 4 doors. also, if the gasket is leaking because the bolts are broken - you can just replace the bolts, and it should stop the leak.
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05-22-2019, 06:18 AM	#13
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	If the bolt in Figure 1 above is broken, is an easy fix. Loosen the intake manifold bolts, pull the front of the manifold back an inch or so, spin out the broken bolt (it should come out easily with a pick) and replace bolt. There is no need to unhook the intake wiring or tubes. When the bolt breaks, pressurized oil comes up from the threads and leaks down the side of the head. It is common for this bolt to break on 2006 N52.
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