paul1994

I must admit it has been over a little over 6K since the last time i changed my oil, and when i did change it recently i found an oil mess. I was wondering with the pictures below can anyone possible have a clue where the oil is coming from or where I should start.

Here are some pics:

Thanks

2002

I had the same problem before and it came from the alternator bracket. The gasket needs to be replaced.

bmwrider2010

Need to identify which side of engine leak is . it look like it is alternator side so most likely alternator bracket seal which is common, second it could be upper timing gasket. If it is other side of engine then most likely it is oil pressure switch or vacuum pump seal or upper timing gasket.

DavidF

My '04 545i has leaked from all the usual places. Yours will too eventually.

ncsugrad2006

I would take a hard look at the oil pressure switch, it is right under the vacuum pump (passengers side). Alternator bracket is on the drivers side

It can send oil all over the place and will look like it's coming from somewhere else most likely. It's not easy to change but not too bad either. You can do it with vacuum pump installed (go in from underneath)

I wouldn't worry about the small seepage around the oil pan gaskets yet--try for the easy stuff first. Oil pan from what I can tell doesn't look like anything that's really leaking yet

Wrightbenz

I am having the same sort of issue. I am thinking it may be the engine oil cooler. It is right against the fan and hard to see if its leaking but I think it may have a small leak and the oil is blowing back onto everything else. I will post back if I find this to be true.

Wrightbenz

Did you have any luck repairing your leak. My leak which looked very similar to yours turned out to be the engine oil cooler as I mentioned before. You cannot see the leak because the cooler sits behind the electric fan. I had a small pin hole bu the fan blows the oil everywhere just like yours looks. See part number 1