645 Oil Leak. Again.

[wjwren]

I love this car but also hate the bloody leaks it produces. Past few days ive had a serious leak - not a drip, it's literally pouring out from around the alternator area, although just had a local garage look at it and they dont think its the alternator but further up which they cant see.

Ive spent countless money on this car fixing leaks. Are all BMW's this bad?

[counterofbeans]

No just yours.

[OnTheSauce]

Not all, but the N62 unit is particularly prone to leaks.

My 650i has just developed a significant leak from the rocker covers and vacuum pump. £1500 fix. It also had £2000 of leaks repaired last year, but luckily BMW warranty stumped up for that. The car is only on 56k.

I can understand your frustration entirely. The N62 is a lovely unit but just a shame you could spend forever chasing down dripping oil.

I'm tempted to get rid of mine due to that reason alone.

[bimjim]

Leaks around the alternator bracket a pretty common on the N62 - I had mine a done for around £350 I think.

[Djtemeka]

Bavarian Motor Works.
You’d think a manufacturer like that would make better engines.

[wjwren]

Its so bad I cant sell it like that so will get it fixed tomorrow and most likely keep it. There is nothing else in this price range that is as quick as this car nor looks as fresh.

[T16OLE]

I spend about £600 having a number of leaks fixed.

Still leaked. Bloody nightmare.

The job gets bigger and more expensive the lower you move down.

If you’re keeping it might be worth biting the bullet and get it all done at once.

[parabolica]

What mileage are you on OP? Mine had gearbox leaks around the 65k mark which were easily fixed, but it started leaking like a sieve at 95-100k which was my breaking point and I traded it in against a new shape 6; it had the dreaded valve stem oil seal issues. Still on the road somewhere according to askmid.

[wjwren]

It's on 92k. The oil is literally pouring out like a tap. Ive parked it on the road and wont use it till next week when I take it to the garage. It's literally drained the entire contents. Will fill it up before setting out for the 9 mile drive next week and pull over and re top if oil light comes on.

I think it has a valve stem issue but I put some stuff in - can't think of the name but was from America and it seemed to stop it. Two garages I took it to didnt want to know about the valve stem seal issue - was too much work and I dont think they could give me an estimate without the fear of it going way over budget.

[chrisgeary]

You really don't want to drive with the oil leaking like that. Think of the road users behind you if nothing else. It is dangerous, please get towed and with a metal bar, not a rope so you can keep the engine off.

Your symptoms sound very familiar, which turned out to be the alternator seal on my 06 550i.

[parabolica]

wjwren said:

It's on 92k. The oil is literally pouring out like a tap. Ive parked it on the road and wont use it till next week when I take it to the garage. It's literally drained the entire contents. Will fill it up before setting out for the 9 mile drive next week and pull over and re top if oil light comes on.

I think it has a valve stem issue but I put some stuff in - can't think of the name but was from America and it seemed to stop it. Two garages I took it to didnt want to know about the valve stem seal issue - was too much work and I dont think they could give me an estimate without the fear of it going way over budget.

In fairness I think my VSOS issue was unrelated to the leaks; the VSOS issue demonstrates itself by burning oil/smoke from the exhaust. The leaks/seeping was fixed by my garage to help get it through its MOT; I'll check my paperwork to see what gaskets they were (I had given up caring by that point, having moved onto finding a new car!).

[wjwren]

Just spoken to mechanic and he says he cant work on it unless he gets a boroscope camera as he cant see what the issue is. He said maybe a head gasket. Im now thinking it may not be viable to fix.

[mondeoman]

Wtf

[wjwren]

Any help / advice ! The other local garage seem more willing to look at it.

[Prinny]

Oh dear. You’re really not having too much luck with this car, sorry to hear.

You’ll laugh, but I bought one of these the other week. Might do the trick?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0732VVCQT/ref...

OK, not exactly main dealer standard, but it works... If you are anywhere near Rochdale (next weekend, I’m in Norway!), you can happlily borrow it.

[wjwren]

Thanks Prinny but it's going in next week and il have to bite the bullet on whatever it costs. One half of me wishes id sold it ages ago but another loves the car. I actually had it for sale on Pistonheads in the summer and a bloke came to look at it but said he wasnt 100% on it. I was kind of relieved as I didnt want to sell it! It was the Mrs idea!

[Nath911t]

BMW definitely could have put a bit more thought into these engines.
They're great when they're running right but the oil leaks, stem seals and coolant pipe through the block are just dumb designs nor cheap to fix.
I've had both an E63 and E64 in the space of 6 months this year and sadly both are gone now. All that's left with memories is a few small maps of Australia (oil) over most of my driveway.

[wjwren]

Garage just phoned - alternator seal has gone. £1.76 for seal and 10 hours labour £540. Not bad I guess. If my BMW chap had done it I think it would have been £800 odd if not more.

[wjwren]

Had it back today, it was a split alternator seal, chap showed me a picture big gap in it. STILL got a slight leak though ! FFS. He said he replaced oil pressure switch as that was leaking as well and he thought there was a mild leak on possibly the rocker cover gasket. But that is for another day. I swear I had that done a while back. Anyway it now leaks a lot less than before and I can drive it. Changed the battery as well so hoping that will sort the electrical gremlins out.

[Dmurfy]

iv just done my alternator seal 3 myself.. mine was like solid cracked plastic.. i think these engines do develop oil leaks.BUMMER.. but if maintained they are a cracking motor. absolutely love mine but they could seriously have made them better.. this is my 7 beemer and quite frankly after this oil crap..its my last...