small oil leak, almost too small to find?

[pwright179]

New (to me) Z3 M44, 1997, 81k miles. I'm the third owner, previous two took meticulous care. I've been told that oil leakage is a standard issue on Z3's over time, my local guy--whom I trust like a God--says there's some oil leakage but he can't seem to find it, and I drove it 200 miles Saturday and the oil is still full. Anyone tracked any seals or welds notorious for springing a small leak? Appreciate any help for a <hoping to be> long-term owner

 

[colb]

Really need to tell us what area of the engine you can see the oil has stained, usual suspects are cam cover gaskets, oil pan gasket and oil filter to engine block gasket. All these go hard over time and repeated heat cycles, they end up brittle and allow leaks.

 

[Zephyr]

Brake cleaner all around the above mentioned areas and keep an eye after each ride.
usually oil filter housing gasket or the oil stick round oring.

 

[Zephyr]

But its a BMW thing, no worries.

 

[andyglym]

to the Forum from West Cumbria.

 

[pwright179]

Thanks all! If it stays a mystery to my guys, will check back.