Faults · Oil leak
BMW oil leak
There's an oil stain under the car on the drive, or a smell of burning oil from under the bonnet after a drive. On a BMW the most common causes are the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets.
In short
BMW's most common oil leaks come from the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket, especially on engines from the 2000s and 2010s. Fix the leak soon: oil dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold smells and can catch fire at worst, and an oil filter housing leak can damage the engine's drive belt. BemuFIX finds the leak and tells you the price before any work.
Symptoms
- Oil stains under the car
- Smell of burning oil after driving
- Smoke from under the bonnet when the engine is hot
- You have to top up oil between services
Most common causes
- Valve cover gasket: hardens over the years, and oil runs down the side of the engine onto the exhaust manifold
- Oil filter housing gasket: the leak runs to the front of the engine and can soak the drive belt
- Less often the oil pan gasket and the crankshaft seals
Why you shouldn't leave a leak
A small leak won't stop the car straight away. But oil on a hot exhaust manifold smells and can catch fire at worst, and a belt soaked in oil can fail. Replacing a gasket is usually far cheaper than the damage that follows.
How we handle it at BemuFIX
- We clean the engine and find where the oil is really coming from
- We tell you the price of the repair before any work
- We replace the gasket and check whether the oil has damaged anything else
Frequently asked
Is a small oil leak dangerous?
Usually not right away, but it gets worse. If oil is dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold or the drive belt, have it fixed soon.
Where does the burning oil smell come from?
On a BMW the most common cause is the valve cover gasket, which lets oil drip onto the hot exhaust manifold. You often notice the smell after a drive.
How much does an oil leak repair cost?
It depends on which gasket is leaking and on the engine. We find the leak and tell you the price before any work. Our hourly rate is €89/h.