Hi everyone... BMW N52 Oil leaks, please help me.

[BMWALEX478 0]

Hi everyone,

I am completely new to this forum and new to owning a car let alone a BMW. I have no experience with cars.

I have recently bought a 2007 BMW 130i which has done 106,000km with the N52 engine. When I start the car, I sometimes smell a burning smell and the idle is quite rough for a bit. There is also white smoke coming out of the driver side (RHD) of the engine which I have read is usually caused by a bad valve cover gasket. However I think I might also have an oil filter housing gasket leak too and it seems pretty oily around that area. I've heard this can be catastrophic as it can derail the serpentine belt but the belt looks dry to me. I will add some photos.

Am I right to think that the rough idle could be caused by oil getting into the spark plugs from the leaky valve cover gasket? Also is it safe to drive my car?

Thank you all.

IMG_2738.heic IMG_2740.heic IMG_2741.heic IMG_2742.heic

Edited Wednesday at 07:05 AM by BMWALEX478

[Jacko 2159]

Yeah thats leaking bad and has been for awhile, new gaskets and a good clean up. I wouldnt be surprised if the spark plugs/coils are swimming. If you pull a coil pack you'll be able to tell fast. 

[BMWALEX478 0]

Thanks for the reply, which gaskets need replacing? the ones I mentioned? Also what do you mean by 'if you pull a coil pack you'll be able to tell fast' sorry for my lack of knowledge. Do you think that the spark plugs and coils would have to be replaced if they are covered in oil?

Thank you.

[Jacko 2159]

Valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gaskets, and the sumps probably leaking as well. They all leak, if they are not leaking, they will soon Great engines otherwise. 

Take the plastic cover off the top of engine, it pulls off. Lift the latch on the connector for a coil, pull a coil out. If its dripping in oil, your valve cover is leaking not just on the outside (and onto the exhaust) but onto the plugs. It depends on how long its been leaking for if the coils require replacement. 

[BMWALEX478 0]

Thanks, I will do that. Where would you recommend me to go get this done and what sort of money would you expect them to charge for each job? I am south east Auckland.

[Driftit 2099]

Welcome.  Make yourself a coffee and sit and read the 130i post for a few hours/days.  Ton of info in there about the problems we have all had with our 130's.
Tons of upgrade info too.
Once you sort your oil leeks (I still have oil leeks on both of mine) look at upgrading the coolant connections to the engine block.  Easy job.

Keep asking questions.  1000's of hours of working on these cars between us all.
 

 

[BMWALEX478 0]

Thank you. Do you have a rough estimate on much it might cost to get my oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket replaced? I don't think I should try myself because I have no tools unless its a very easy job?

[Jacko 2159]

Cant comment on costs as Im a DIY guy  Parts are not particularly expensive though. Labour for the rocker and oil filter housing will be a few hours, the sump will be significantly more as subframe requires dropping. 

Id definitely recommend https://www.pandsauto.co.nz/ who should be local to you, and are one the of the few workshops where I have had work done that wasnt sh*t. 

Edited Wednesday at 10:07 PM by Jacko

[Driftit 2099]

Agree.  I raced with Peter and Graham from P&S.  They know their stuff and look after at least a good third of the entire BMW race series cars.

[Danch 35]

Oil filter housing gasket job costed me about 450ish. I heard it's easy to DIY though.

[Harper 569]

3 hours ago, Driftit said:

Agree.  I raced with Peter and Graham from P&S.  They know their stuff and look after at least a good third of the entire BMW race series cars.

Diy kinda guy myself as well but they're just around the corner from my work and they always have nice stuff parked outside. Minty E24 M6 a month or so back.