This seems top be a theme. I changed the gasket in October. It leaks again. Teaspoon drops in 24 hours. At that time I also did every other seal and O ring known to leak. None of those are issues and the engine is clean. My driveway is not. The leak seems to be a seep at the right side back corner. Or belt end, under the tensioner if you prefer. It will leave drips overnight. I have sprayed it off with brake clean every day and check every morning. She is on stands now so not hard. Its just that whole corner making up about 4 bolts. Reading these forums leads me to suspect something else at play as many people here complain of oil pan gasket leaks re occurring swiftly. Is there a known cause? A known fix? OEM gasket vs aftermarket? Pans crack? warp? I used an aftermarket gasket with super blue the first go-round.

 

A surface that isn't flat is the first thing that comes to mind.

 

Are you sure it not the timing cover leaking or maybe front main seal.

 

I think shrevemini's mind went to a better place than mine did.

 

99% sure its the GD timing cover. so it looks like the $900 in Miltek exhaust gets put on hold.......again. rats. Cant believe I have to buy another 1 time tool too because at 108K I'm certainly doing a chain and tensioner while I'm there.

 

Only like 30 bucks for seal kit. Not hard job to do.
Sn depending on the chain kit you get maybe 75 bucks. Tool to lock head 45 bucks.

 

I would put money on it that it's the gaskets on the oil cooler (back right-hand side of motor). That's a common leak on R53s.

 

Yeah that’s also an oil leaking spot.

 

OK thanks fellas. 100% not the oil cooler, adapter or filter assembly. All of that's been done recently and its powder dry. She is up on stands with the front end off so I can get a pretty good look. I just climbed under there with a point and shoot camera and have narrowed it down to a timing cover gasket or cracked pan. Please offer your opinion of which.

The car has not run in a month.

The pan can be sprayed perfectly clean and dry and will make this puddle in two days.

** IS THAT A CRACK OR CASTING MARK? **

Two Days Drip

Crack or Casting line?

This was spotless two days ago when I gooped the cover bolt. See the oil on the back of the cover?

Cooler is not leaking and its not a pressure leak anyway..It drips 24/7 running or not..

 

Where do you shop Bro? I thought we had to have the Kickass Crio set for $250. Cam lock tool is $50 and Felpro seal kit is $50.
Dat's Treefiddy!

LOL... not the money, its the hassle.

 

Lmao I’m a frogle shopper. I never pay retail.

 

That's awesome!

So you vote its a cracked pan?

 

You should not have to use any sealant. Only reason I replaced mine was due to a jackass jacked up the oil drain plug when the previous owner had it done.
I got the cam locking tool used. But you can get them new for like 50 bucks.

 

I suggest getting some carb cleaner. Wipe it all down. But like I said. Should not have to use sealant. An I can see a lot of blue silicone.

 

+1 no sealant on these gaskets

 

Not the pan. Changed the gasket again with a dry factory MINI part all nice and torqued. Definitely the timing cover. So here is the latest question:

I ordered a new chain and tensioner and tool to replace that stuff as the car has 106,000 miles but when I opened it up the tensioners and chain look perfect. zero wear to be seen. So now Im feeling l;azy and thinking of NOT changing the chain and tensioners. Talk me off the ledge fellas!

 

Changing the chain isn't that bad. The tensioner is the worst part. Since you have the cover off already, might as well do it.

 

Is the chain a maintenance item? I think the guides would be good to refresh

 

Done..

 

Did you replace the tensioner or everything? And is the leak gone?

 

It was the cover gasket. I changed the chain, guides and tensioner while apart. Have to wait a few days to run the car and see if any leaks remain.