Can anyone identify what is covered in oil in this photo?

[Richard7666 0]

EDIT: mechanic suspects rear main seal leaking

Recently bought a an e46 318 (2002) and it's been leaking oil. Looking underneath on the passenger side, I've found whatever this area is totally covered in residue.

Anyone have any idea what I'm looking at?

thanks, and sorry that my first post is a request for help!

(photo on a bit of an angle, here's a rotated zoomed version)

This one isn't my car, but it's the area you're looking at from a bit further back (plastic splash guard removed in my pics)

Edited September 26, 2013 by Richard7666

[///MPROVD 131]

could be a power steering leak i cant see it well but looks like the bottom of fill tank

[BM WORLD 1258]

quite often p/s resivor hose clamps , just replace them with new std ones

[*Glenn* 854]

What engine is in the car.. M43 or N42 ??

[Lubed 55]

The most common leaks in that area are the crankcase breather valve and pipes, oil filter housing gaskets, dipstick o-ring ,sump gasket. You will get a better idea if you remove the reinforcing plate and undertray

Edited September 25, 2013 by streetmagic

[Steve K-B 51]

If you can get a torch in there then take a photo that would help. Its a bit to dark to see what it is

[Richard7666 0]

What engine is in the car.. M43 or N42 ??

n42.

[*Glenn* 854]

n42.

The leak will most likely be from the oil filter housing and oil cooler profile gaskets on that side- done 3 this week. These motors and the N46 are quite problematic and leak from rocker covers, breather hoses, oil filler caps, sump gaskets, vanos seals, brake vacuum pumps, power steering pumps, P/S hoses

Edited September 25, 2013 by *Glenn*

[Richard7666 0]

Just had it to the mechanic who upon cleaning it and doing errands in the car today reckons rear main seal and is gonna get a quote for me. This is a biggie yeah? What is replacing that likely to cost me do you know? Research indicates 6-10 hours labour because transmission needs to be removed

Are there any other things that could manifest as a rear main seal leak?

Edited September 26, 2013 by Richard7666

[5amchris 45]

Where in New Zealand are you and what mechanic did you take it into?

[Richard7666 0]

Invercargill. Was just my local mechanic, also have it booked into Midas for a look as the guy there specialises in BMW.

[Richard7666 0]

Also, as an alternative in the meantime, are there any oils I can use which may leak less or is that all BS?

[Phil-540i 166]

From the pics - is it not too close to the front of the car to be the rear main seal?? If its a main, it'll be leaking from bellhousing area, & then blowing towards rear of car from there.......

I think some of the other advice in here is more likely, & sounds like your mechanic might be maybe taking the pi$$ a bit. How much oil is it losing?? Leaks tend to be leaks, & changing oil type probably won't make it leak less, but may cause other problems though....

Hate to point it out, but 'Midas', & 'a guy there that specialises in BMW's', sounds like a contradiction to me at some level ae....

You'd maybe be better to find a member from here down there in the deep south that KNOWS somethink about them, & throw the appropriate amount of amber fanta's their way for having a 'proper look'......

[Phil-540i 166]

"Local mechanic' - like, we're not talking that you've rocked into Ryal Bush garage or something like that with a fine piece of German engineering ae........

[Richard7666 0]

He mentioned the bell housing, yep.

I'll see what this Midas guy has to say; if it's at odds with my mechanic then I think I'll do just what you said

[5amchris 45]

I think some of the other advice in here is more likely, & sounds like your mechanic might be maybe taking the pi$$ a bit. How much oil is it losing?? Leaks tend to be leaks, & changing oil type probably won't make it leak less, but may cause other problems though....

Hate to point it out, but 'Midas', & 'a guy there that specialises in BMW's', sounds like a contradiction to me at some level ae....

You'd maybe be better to find a member from here down there in the deep south that KNOWS somethink about them, & throw the appropriate amount of amber fanta's their way for having a 'proper look'......

Point.

[Lubed 55]

I have been working on these engines from there release in 2001 and in that time have never seen a crankshaft seal fail, for those with no experience looking for oil leaks on the n42 it is very easy to make an incorrect diagnosis thinking a rear main is leaking when fact it is the sump gasket. It is possible your engine has multiple leaks, as others have mentioned take it to someone with experience for a proper diagnosis.