I've been trying to track down this oil leak on my 03' R53 for a while now. I finally got up under the car, cleaned the block off really good, and ran the car for a bit and then let it set overnight. In the morning, it looks to me like it's coming out between that plate under the balancer (timing cover?), and where it meets the block. The oil pan bolts on either side are dry...and I don't see anything coming down from the top of the block that would indicate a valve cover leak. How common is it for those timing covers to leak? I'm assuming there is a gasket between the cover and the block?

Is the only way to fix this leak, is to pull the balancer off and pull that timing cover?

Any tips/advice would be great! Thanks!

 

I can't tell from the photo if the leak is in the oil pan gasket or if it's running down from above, which could be the timing cover. To answer your questions... Yes, the timing cover has a gasket as well as rings for the oil pump. To change the gasket, you need to remove the timing cover which requires removing the crank pulley (harmonic balancer). It's not terribly difficult, though removing the pulley is easiest with a good puller. Mod Mini may have a video on YouTube that covers this.

 

The oil pan gasket it pretty new, it's probably got 20K miles on it. I checked the valve cover, it's not leaking down from the top. The only think I need to double check is the oil cooler...make sure the oil isn't coming from that.

How common is it for the timing chain cover to leak?

 

Are you able to run a wrench on either bolts to check the torque tightness?

 

110% exactly where mine leaked. Identical. Do the timing chain, guides and tensioner and crank pulley while your in there. Maybe the oil cooler and filter gaskets too. FYI the timing tool kit comes with a crank pulley installation tool that's very handy.

 

Yep i bet timing cover gasket.


https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11141485162/

 

At this point, I'm 100% sure it's the timing cover....I can watch it seep out of the cover meets the block.

Any tips or tricks for replacing the timing cover gasket? It looks like I should be able to get to everything pretty easily if I just pull out the passenger side fender liner.

Some videos online show them dropping the subframe, putting the front of the car in service mode, and removing the passenger side motor mount.....sounds like overkill. Is all of that really needed??

 

You can do the timing and the main pulley. But if you done both then its just the gasket/.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-in-there.html

 

I'm planning on doing the timing chain and guides since I'll be right there anyways....at 200K, I figure it would be smart to change it. The balancer was already replaced.

 

Here's a great video of the procedure:

 

Thanks, its uniquely design with the integrated pump.