BOB SCHAEFER

Well, I discovered why the previous owner wanted to sell his otherwise beautiful 550i. Backed out of my driveway this AM and spotted a 1 foot by 3 foot oil spot on my clean driveway. My tech at work got it on the lift and has determined it's the rear main. Book on it is 7.8 hours. I think my guy is somewhat afraid of it.

How big of a job is this for a good tech with mostly domestic experience?

Again thanks

Bob

ncsugrad2006

He should be fine.

RealOEM.com BMW E60 545i Engine Block Mounting Parts

Basically get transmission out of the way, change rear seal, re-assemble. It's #7 in pic above

There is a cover for the cooling system that you should change at the same time. #5 in the link above. I am assuming that applies for the 550i also (I know it applies to 545i)

tonyb635

Oh crap! Did you have the car checked out before you bought it? That much oil one would think that it would have been very noticeable or perhaps the previous owner hid it well.

Bobbrown13

Oh crap Bob, there goes money for the tune...
Good luck, hope ur guy can handle it.
How long have you had it, did you call the guy and say WTF??

turboawd

isnt there a plug on the backside of the engine that is known to leak also? i vaguely remember reading about something like that here.

H F

nothing against your tech ... But take it to a good bmw indie that has experience on these cars . If u think your Tech is a little affraid of it . Theres the yellow caution flag. I havent heard any 550 or 545 rear seal goen bad... Make sure its not the alternator bracket gasket cause when that goes it gets oil everywhere and hard to tell where the leak is .. A non bmw mechanic can miss diagnose the leak. When mine went I had a pool of oil on my garage floor ,,thought the leak was at the back of my oil pan . Turned out it was the alternator braket gasket. Hope thats what it is and not the rear seal.

west

+1. I replaced the rear main seal on my 550i last month, er..maybe a couple months ago, and the old one looked like new (photos are in my thread if you click on my signature). Only reason I replaced it was cause I was already in there and I let someone talk me in to doing it. Sort of odd your tech is hesitant on taking that type of work on.

70k miles RMS on right, New RMS on left:


Before replacement (no oil leaking anywhere):


During replacement:


After replacement (still no oil leaking anywhere):

H F

Good to see that at 70,000 that rear seal looks aa good as it does. Wish all the other seals where as good .

healthservices

Good time to reseal the rear end cover and debate about resealing the cross pipe at this time. they leak too.