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*** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***

Old Feb 11, 2014 | 12:24 PM
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Question *** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***

I just noticed that my 2005 545i is leaking oil. It's just a little, and I see it on my garage floor. Does anyone have any idea on what is causing this, and how to fix it?

My 545i only has 50k miles. When I start the car, it stalls a couple seconds and makes a little noise. Why is this happening?
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:06 PM
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Several possibilities, valve cover gasket leak, alternator bracket gasket leak, pan gasket leak, etc.
You will need to remove the splash guard under the car, use a flash light and look for the source of the oil leak. Take some pictures and post here.
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:19 PM
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Hi pcy,

How do I remove the splash guard?
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 01:46 PM
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Get a small phillips screw driver, lay down in front of the front bumper and reach under the front of the car and remove the screws, splash guard will drop down. Set it aside and look for leaks with a flash light.

Before you do that, why don't you open the hood and look around with the flash light - look for any obvious leaks around the engine.
Attached Thumbnails *** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***-splash_guard.jpg  
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 03:31 PM
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I can't fit under my car, and I don't have anything to lift it up ...

I opened the hood and attached some pictures.
Attached Thumbnails *** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***-img_20140211_161930.jpg   *** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***-img_20140211_162219.jpg   *** 545i Oil Leak & Start Noise ***-img_20140211_162240.jpg  
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 04:47 PM
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It's difficult to diagnose oil leaks over internet... if I may suggest, take the car to an independent mechanic around where you live and ask them for diagnosis.

About the stalling issue, there may be diagnostic code(s) set. Mechanic can retrieve those codes. With those diagnostic codes, you can research to figure out what's causing the issue. You can take the car to your local auto parts store, they read diagnostic codes for free.
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Old Feb 12, 2014 | 05:54 AM
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i have a 545i and had oil leak issue. and i knew way well in advance. So i quickly got an warranty. The warranty covered the leak. it leaked from around the oil pressure switch, alternator gasket, and some other gasket.. i can't recall.. but if you look from the top, under the hood, you should see the oil on the plastic cover screwed in the bottom of your car.

Last edited by shorttough; Feb 12, 2014 at 05:57 AM.
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Old Feb 12, 2014 | 08:56 AM
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Shorttough - how much was the repair, and how much was covered by your warranty?

Which warrantly company are you using? Is it costly?
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Old Feb 12, 2014 | 09:26 AM
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Here is one way you might get under your car. Is your garage floor just sightly raised from the driveway? Mine is raised up about an inch. Back the car into the garage and have the front wheels just on the garage floor. The front end is now hanging outside the garage. There might be enough room to get you head under the car and remove the shield. You really need to get that removed as pcy says in order to see where the oil is coming from.

Or go to Sears, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, Walmart, etc. and get a jack *and* jack stands. Should cost you about $75.

Last edited by twh; Feb 12, 2014 at 09:31 AM.
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Old Feb 12, 2014 | 10:12 AM
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twh - My driveway and garage door is flat =(
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