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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23
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oil leak on 1998 323is
Anyone had problems with oil leaks on the 323/325/328? I appear to have a leak between the engine & trans which has blown back & covered the trans, shifter linkage, driveshaft & tunnel, & front of the muffler with a light coating of engine oil. Just noticed it by a small spot on the garage floor.
BassDean |
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04-04-2003, 02:28 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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That is usually not a good sign. it may mean that either the rear main seal or the tranny input seal may be bad. Do you have an auto or stick?
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04-04-2003, 02:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23
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Its a 5 speed with 62k miles
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04-04-2003, 02:31 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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Is this a serious leak or is this just road grime? Also does it smell like sulphur?
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04-04-2003, 02:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23
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Not road grime, its leaking. No sulfer smell. It started a couple of days ago when I noticed a faint burning smell when I pulled in the garage. I smell around the car & thought it was at the left rear wheel. This morning I noticed the spot on the garage floor so I crawled underneath and looked. Where it dripped down was from the tranny mount but you could see the a thin coating of oil covering everything. It definetly engine oil, good ol 5w30 mobil1.
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04-04-2003, 02:37 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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Sounds like the rear main seal. Did you overfill the engine with oil? That can cause the rear main seal to blow. Also have you ever switched from dino oil to synthetic? Has the car always run synthetic?
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04-04-2003, 02:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23
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oil has not been overfilled since I 've had the car. Just bought it last August with 58k miles from the local BMW dealer. I just changed the oil for the first time myself about 3 weeks ago. I looked everything over back when I changed it & everything looked good.
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04-04-2003, 02:45 PM
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