Mystery oil leak!

[Bonzeau]

Hi everyone, Bonzo checking in! When my 1998 2.8 Z3 (Z3lda) was MOT'd they advised me of an oil leak from somewhere on the back of the engine, and their video showed a fair covering The tech said it could be a sump gasket gone or possibly the gearbox - engine oil seal leaking. But I have had no drips on the drive or garage floor, even after letting the engine run for a while. The engine dipstick shows no loss of oil. I just wondered if it could be the gearbox oil leaking out? Is it a big job to change the oil seal? Something that could be done at the Zed Shed? I thought I should check the gearbox oil level first to see if it was low, or nearly empty as that would show where the leak was. Tony and you other techs out there in Zed land, advice and info please.



Bonzo

 

[Scooblitz]

I have an oil leak of my own at the moment that's been ongoing for a while. Mine is a sump/oilpan gasket leak from the front lower of the engine.

The oil doesn't leak from higher up which would indicate it's not the filter housing etc.

If its the sump gasket, Its not a simple job. It involves bracing the engine from the top, removing a few items and dropping the front subframe out to get acesss to the oil pan to swap over the gasket.

The parts are cheap but it's a bit of a job.

Can you do an underside power wash and scrub to perhaps more easily establish the culprit?