Any mechanics to offer advice

[Carroll Shelby]

Hello all,

Bit of a stupid questions but are there any mechanic on here that can offer advice on a BMW E36 1.6?

I have an oil leak on the car and can't locate where its coming from are there any common places on the 1.6 engine that is prone to leaking?

The car is 21 years old with 90k on the clock, it had the head gasket done at 30k for some reason, I am suspecting it needs replacing again.

I also have a major electrical issue after the boot loom melted itself but that's another story

Thanks in advance

 

[Ashley Burton]

Sump gasket?

Just done one on a 330 E46

 

[Carroll Shelby]

I'll have a look at the sump gasket, hopefully its just that as its coming out at a rate of knots but only with the engine off

 

[Pete.]

Never thought I'd see Carroll Shelby asking for advice on how to fix a car

 

[Carroll Shelby]

Never thought I'd see Carroll Shelby asking for advice on how to fix a car

No but the late great Mr Shelby would have stuck a nice V8 in there by now, tbh I'm a bit nervous of touching the engine in the car as parts are so expensive, ideally (if I had the time and space) I would pull the engine out and fit all new gaskets but am getting lazy maybe when the weather warms up I might pull the engine, it would be nice to get the old car back working correctly including all the electrics.

My van takes up a lot of my time keeping that going.

 

[GingerNuttz]

My old 525i used to leak oil from the oil filter gasket and a touch from the rear of the rocker cover. Both seem to be quite common problems on BMW

 

[Carroll Shelby]

My old 525i used to leak oil from the oil filter gasket and a touch from the rear of the rocker cover. Both seem to be quite common problems on BMW

I have looked at a full gasket kit 100 & odd £'s, when did gasket lits get so expensive think I only paid £20 for a full kit on my mk4 escort, if I get the full kit I can change the sump and oil filter gasket then if it still leaks at least I'll have the rest of the gaskets.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Sump Gasket I got for the 330 was £15 & that was staff prices!

 

[Johnseat]

I wouldn't be bothered about an oil leak if you think about it logically... You have to top it up often so your engine is getting a steady supply of new clean oil thus extending your service schedule from say every 15000 miles to every 25000 miles!

 

[Carroll Shelby]

Hmmmmm that's one way to look at it but a litre every month is making a right mess of my driveway lol the car only does about 2k a year.

 

[thinfourth]

Hmmmmm that's one way to look at it but a litre every month is making a right mess of my driveway lol the car only does about 2k a year.

mmmmm

Does it leak when it isn't running?

 

[Carroll Shelby]

Good question, I dont know, I assume it must leak while driving but only the front bottom of the engine and sump has oil on it, along with the steering rack & subframe.

As the car doesn't really go anywhere (lucky if it does 1/2 a mile a day) the underside of the car is clean oil wise

I'll try and get some pictures today

 

[MCKDAVID]

easiest way to find a leak is to start with a clean engine. clean and degrease the whole lot and start with a clean slate. That way you can see the leak a lot easier, and see how bad it is. If everything's already covered in oil, it would be hard to be sure where it's from..


big fan of your earlier cars, especially the cobra, if you have a spare one you want to give a good home, I'd be more than willing to help you out there...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

easiest way to find a leak is to start with a clean engine. clean and degrease the whole lot and start with a clean slate.

Beat me to it.

 

[Johnseat]

In all seriousness though, like what's been said above, you need not clean the engine and take it for a run. I have a stash of mirrors sticks at work for looking at leaks and pin pointing them.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

, you need not clean the engine and take it for a run..

Suspect you mean "to" ?

 

[Carroll Shelby]

Yes your quite right I didn't even think of cleaning it up that'll be this weekends job hopefully if work doesn't keep getting in the way.

So which car do you want? Cobra, gt350 or Shelby 1000 if only I had a few, I did ask the wife if I could have a super snake but she just laughed at me when she saw the price.

 

[wookie]

Yes your quite right I didn't even think of cleaning it up that'll be this weekends job hopefully if work doesn't keep getting in the way.

Just don't go mad with the pressure washer, I've seen more than enough problems created by washing an engine, especially around the air pipes and electrical gubbins.

 

[normspanners]

engine breather can carbon up causing piston blow-by to back pressure the crankcase enough to force oil out anywhere it can.

 

[MCKDAVID]

So which car do you want? Cobra, gt350 or Shelby 1000 if only I had a few, I did ask the wife if I could have a super snake but she just laughed at me when she saw the price.

not that fussy, but if a choice was to be had.... a 427 Cobra would be a good start, followed by a 68 GT500 with the same engine....