Gradual increase in oil consumption

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02-13-2023 | 08:05 AM

#21

seanjordan20

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From: Augusta, GA

My Ride: 05 530i M54

Model Year: 05 530i

Engine: 3.0 M54

Definitely looks like you have multiple leaks. Follow the advice above. Make sure you clean the oil and dirt real good. If your tensioners are worn this would be the time to replace those also.

Last edited by donpb; 02-13-2023 at 01:16 PM.

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02-13-2023 | 08:08 AM

#22

sparkyjonze

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Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 42

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From: Massachusetts

My Ride: 2006 525XI

Model Year: 2006

Engine: N52

Quote:

Originally Posted by twh

You are living dangerously. All that grease on the engine and all over the parts near the serpentine belt is trouble. If the belt comes off, it may well get shredded behind the crankshaft pulley and get pulled into the engine and then your engine is toast or mega-work to get back. More than likely you need a new oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket. You also need to get all the crap off the front of the engine. And, get a new belt.

Thanks for feedback. So the oil filter housing gasket, cooler gasket, and belt were replaced spring of 2017 but only 20,000 miles ago. Does it make it more likely the leak is in the valve cover?

Here's another angle.

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02-13-2023 | 12:49 PM

#23

twh

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From: Denver, USA

My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT

Model Year: 2006

Engine: N52

Probably the crud was there 20,000 miles ago and they failed to clean it up.
Cover all the parts with bearings with ziploc bags -- alternator, PS pump, A/C compressor, tensioner and idler.
Get some Original GUNK.
Car outside where crap can get on the ground and not cause your wife to kill you.
Take the serpentine belt off.
Spray the GUNK and hose liberally -- like for minutes.
Run the car with the belt off and burn all the crap off. It will smell, Original GUNK has diesel and kerosene in it.
Put a brand new serpentine belt on.

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02-14-2023 | 05:13 AM

#24

sparkyjonze

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From: Massachusetts

My Ride: 2006 525XI

Model Year: 2006

Engine: N52

Quote:

Originally Posted by habbyguy

What twh said!

It's often hard to tell everywhere a BMW I6 is leaking because they can have so many leaks! The valve cover gasket is another likely candidate. The best thing to do (after you replace the oil filter / cooler housing gaskets and the serpentine belt) is to clean up the engine block as much as possible, and look for new, fresh oil leaks to see if you cured the entire problem (or not).

So the belly cover is stained and greasy on the right side. Would that mean the leak is more likely from the valve cover, especially considering the oil filter housing gasket and cooler were replaced 20,000 miles ago and are more left? I believe the valve cover gasket may be original.

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