2011 335i N55

aaroncw · 03-04-2020, 10:05 AM

I've got a small leak somewhere and I can tell by the tiny puddle on the garage floor after I drive. A few months ago while getting the oil changed the mechanic said my oil filter housing gasket was going bad. Could this be my problem?

The thing is my serpentine belt is fine. No oil on it at all. I thought If the OHG was leaking it would be all over the belt.

The fluid that's leaking is a clear blue-ish color.

For about the past four months I've had an overheating smell. And a tiny whisp of smoke coming up. In the picture you can see the area where the smoke rises from. After driving, With the car shut off, you can see a tiny puff of smoke rise from the circled area about every 3-5 mins.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated before I start the repairs.

My plans for next week are to:
Replace Oil Filter Housing Gasket
New Plugs and Coils
New Tensioner and Pullies
New Serp belt

Then I'm going to take it to Bmw and have them do the oil change.

Thanks!

Edit: no problems w the car at all. No misfires. No lights or messages. Just being preventative and wanting to stop the smoke and smell.

nicked8 · 03-04-2020, 10:14 AM

The area you circled is in the general vicinity of the exhaust manifold / turbo/ downpipe so whatever is leaking is likely dripping onto one of those components and burning up.

If you're leaking oil, very likely could be the valve cover gasket as it will leak in that area and fall onto the hot components below. But as you mentioned a blue liquid that would indicate coolant. Maybe from one of the lines going to the turbo? You'll have to get under there to get a better look.

Also the windshield washer fluid is in that area which is blue as well - maybe another possibility

9krpmrx8 · 03-04-2020, 10:27 AM

Yeah I can almost guarantee its the valve cover gasket. If you do the oil filter housing gasket though, make sure to follow the TSB and prime the engine before restarting it.

techwhiz · 03-04-2020, 01:17 PM

Expansion tank cracked?

aaroncw · 03-07-2020, 05:48 AM

Thanks! I'll check valve cover for leaks and expansion tank.

aaroncw · 05-08-2020, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncw

Thanks! I'll check valve cover for leaks and expansion tank.

So I did it. It was a definite B to install. I used a genuine bmw gasket from dealer. I'm crossing my fingers I seated it correctly... had to attempt placing it at least two dozen times. Finally got it where I was happy. Torqued it down slow and even as recommended.

I do have a slight worry about fuel smell after I drive. When I took the injector lines off I got a face full of gas 😅 so I know I sprayed a bit. Tried to wipe up good. But still... should I go in and recheck the tightness of the injector lines? I hand tightened them pretty good I thought.

Thanks!

03-04-2020, 10:05 AM	#1
aaroncw New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	I've got a small leak somewhere and I can tell by the tiny puddle on the garage floor after I drive. A few months ago while getting the oil changed the mechanic said my oil filter housing gasket was going bad. Could this be my problem? The thing is my serpentine belt is fine. No oil on it at all. I thought If the OHG was leaking it would be all over the belt. The fluid that's leaking is a clear blue-ish color. For about the past four months I've had an overheating smell. And a tiny whisp of smoke coming up. In the picture you can see the area where the smoke rises from. After driving, With the car shut off, you can see a tiny puff of smoke rise from the circled area about every 3-5 mins. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated before I start the repairs. My plans for next week are to: Replace Oil Filter Housing Gasket New Plugs and Coils New Tensioner and Pullies New Serp belt Then I'm going to take it to Bmw and have them do the oil change. Thanks! Edit: no problems w the car at all. No misfires. No lights or messages. Just being preventative and wanting to stop the smoke and smell. Attached Images
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03-04-2020, 10:14 AM	#2
nicked8 Private First Class 103 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 335i M-Sport xDrive Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT/NY iTrader: (0)	The area you circled is in the general vicinity of the exhaust manifold / turbo/ downpipe so whatever is leaking is likely dripping onto one of those components and burning up. If you're leaking oil, very likely could be the valve cover gasket as it will leak in that area and fall onto the hot components below. But as you mentioned a blue liquid that would indicate coolant. Maybe from one of the lines going to the turbo? You'll have to get under there to get a better look. Also the windshield washer fluid is in that area which is blue as well - maybe another possibility
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03-04-2020, 10:27 AM	#3
9krpmrx8 Clean is the new cool, keep it that way. 808 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	Yeah I can almost guarantee its the valve cover gasket. If you do the oil filter housing gasket though, make sure to follow the TSB and prime the engine before restarting it. __________________ 2011 335i, FBO, N55+ Turbo, full E85, S55 intercooler, etc. 2015 X5 35i Xdrive
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03-04-2020, 01:17 PM	#4
techwhiz Colonel 453 Rep 2,973 Posts Drives: e90 335i Sedan - Arctic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca iTrader: (4)	Expansion tank cracked? __________________ Arctic Metallic\CF Splitters, Spoiler, Mirror Covers\LED Tails\LSD\Tinted\Coded\Apex Square SM10-19"\LED Angel Eyes\Gloss Black Grill\Integrated V1 & Galaxy Tab\M-Performance Brakes\Cobb Tuned\xHP Flash\Resonator Removed and -> is your friend.
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03-07-2020, 05:48 AM	#5
aaroncw New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Thanks! I'll check valve cover for leaks and expansion tank.
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