2001 BMW X5 4.4i with an oil leak

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 07:12 PM

I’m not sure if it is coming from the VCG or the oil pan. I dont think it's the latter but ya never know. Any ideas?

It's got 94k miles on it.

chassis · 03-22-2021, 07:20 PM

Can you post more photos and some context? Is it your vehicle? Is the leak oil or another fluid (coolant, steering or transmission)?

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

Can you post more photos and some context? Is it your vehicle? Is the leak oil or another fluid (coolant, steering or transmission)?

Not my car.

I was looking to buy it for $1,400 and saw that. Looks to be one of the VCGs

frchdragon · 03-22-2021, 08:38 PM

I personally would absolutely stay away from anything BMW V8. I wouldn't touch them with a 10 ft pole. (except M stuff). If I remember well, they have issues with valve cover gaskets, oil separator, valley pan gasket and maybe timing chain guides.

Expensive maintenance cost, especially if the car isn't well maintained.

From the pictures, it is impossible to see where the oil is coming from, you need to look to see if there is oil seeping from below the valve cover.

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frchdragon

I personally would absolutely stay away from anything BMW V8. I wouldn't touch them with a 10 ft pole. (except M stuff). If I remember well, they have issues with valve cover gaskets, oil separator, valley pan gasket and maybe timing chain guides.

Expensive maintenance cost, especially if the car isn't well maintained.

From the pictures, it is impossible to see where the oil is coming from, you need to look to see if there is oil seeping from below the valve cover.

Yup, I've heard BMW V8s suck ass. But, for $1,400 for a nearly mint X5. idk man

I was thinking about putting in some bottles of motor oil saver and seeing if that'll help the leak.

After all, I'm not keeping the car as a personal vehicle.

chassis · 03-22-2021, 10:02 PM

$1,400 for a V8 X5? Run away.

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

$1,400 for a V8 X5? Run away.

He was originally asking $2,900. I got him down to $1,400.

Either way, I don't think I want to spend more than $500 fixing it. It's a V8 BMW. Can't even get both of the VCG replaced for $500

AnotherM · 03-22-2021, 10:20 PM

You have to remove the lower cover so that you can see where the oil is leaking from.

The m62tu very commonly leaks from the valve covers.

If you work on the car yourself, fixing that is very simple.

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F10c550i

You have to remove the lower cover so that you can see where the oil is leaking from.

The m62tu very commonly leaks from the valve covers.

If you work on the car yourself, fixing that is very simple.

I've done the OFHG on the E46 my parents used to have.

Idk how easy a VCG would be on a V8 BMW though

AnotherM · 03-22-2021, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

I've done the OFHG on the E46 my parents used to have.

Idk how easy a VCG would be on a V8 BMW though

I've changed them on multiple e39 540i and they were simple.

Mosaud1998 · 03-22-2021, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F10c550i

I've changed them on multiple e39 540i and they were simple.

I think I'll watch a few videos before I pull the trigger

Petro135 · 03-22-2021, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Yup, I've heard BMW V8s suck ass. But, for $1,400 for a nearly mint X5. idk man

I was thinking about putting in some bottles of motor oil saver and seeing if that'll help the leak.

After all, I'm not keeping the car as a personal vehicle.

Buy it

stein_325i · 03-24-2021, 11:07 PM

Avoid the V8 at all costs. My father had an E39 540i when new, and even back then with low miles that engine would have countless problems. BMW just doesn't have luck with their V8's. Find a nice BMW with the 2.5 or 3.0 M54 I6. Much more reliable, but will still leave a hole in your pocket, especially if you get the dreaded cooling system failure. They are out there, just hard to find. Found an original owner 05 E83 X3 for my youngest son with $15k of BMW Service Center receipts

and was able to take it home for $3500. Took me over 10 different BMW's to look at, but finally was able to find a good one to replace his 323i. 25k miles later at 163k its had its Starter and Vanos Oil Line done, although the oil pan is leaking now, but overall running strong. *knocks on wood*

whyzee125 · 03-25-2021, 12:17 AM

Almost certainly both at that age. I wouldn't buy an older x5 v8 unless it's a 4.6is that's enthusiast owned. If you really want it, go for it, but just know it's going to cost a LOT to get it fully sorted.

AnotherM · 03-25-2021, 07:56 PM

If you cant work on a bmw yourself than dont buy an older one period.

If you can than buy it and enjoy.

Vivek. · 03-25-2021, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Almost certainly both at that age. I wouldn't buy an older x5 v8 unless it's a 4.6is that's enthusiast owned. If you really want it, go for it, but just know it's going to cost a LOT to get it fully sorted.

Or a 4.8is

Mosaud just buy it, keep it full of oil, and put $1400 worth of miles on it. Doesn't matter too much if it leaks oil, it's a $1400 X5 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯...invest in one of these for the driveway lol. Great winter beater. Cheap beaters are so underrated.

JamesGames · 03-27-2021, 03:00 PM

Yea v8 bmws love to leak - on my 550i I've replaced
VCG x 2
Mechatronics seal on transmission pan x 2
upper timing cover x 2
lower timing cover x 1
alternator bracket seal (car pissed oil out was lucky motor survived after dumping two quarts in roughly 10 minutes. Carrying spare oil in the trunk of old BMWS is a must)
Currently leaking oil at the oil pan drain bolt area - need a new oil pan but it's a slow drip.

Car has 125k - 2007 550i

thebmw · 03-27-2021, 05:49 PM

OP, I'm in Chicago and I'm selling a 2014 X5 50i xDrive in Great Condition for only $7K (plus what I spent on repairs and 5 yr/160K mile warranty last year which was $21K total). It's a heck of a deal IMO as it will last for another 75K miles I'm sure.

With BMWs and their V8s, you have to "pay to play". If you want a smaller, less powerful, less melodic engine, it will cost less. Personally, I own 4 BMW 4.4L twin turbo V8s. I think they are fine overall.

cvstar9M3 · 11-22-2021, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebmw

OP, I'm in Chicago and I'm selling a 2014 X5 50i xDrive in Great Condition for only $7K (plus what I spent on repairs and 5 yr/160K mile warranty last year which was $21K total). It's a heck of a deal IMO as it will last for another 75K miles I'm sure.

With BMWs and their V8s, you have to "pay to play". If you want a smaller, less powerful, less melodic engine, it will cost less. Personally, I own 4 BMW 4.4L twin turbo V8s. I think they are fine overall.

Still got this?

omasou · 11-22-2021, 05:25 PM

Front timing change gaskets. BTDT.

Like the other frchdragon mentioned stay away from any high mileage BMW V8 they are a money pit or can burn as much as 1 QT every 1K. His list is pretty spot on.

Talked to a guy at the barber shop who carried a case of oil in his trunk!

03-22-2021, 07:12 PM	#1
Mosaud1998 Colonel 4128 Rep 2,728 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Suburb of Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540 [0.00]	2001 BMW X5 4.4i with an oil leak I’m not sure if it is coming from the VCG or the oil pan. I dont think it's the latter but ya never know. Any ideas? It's got 94k miles on it. Attached Images
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03-22-2021, 07:20 PM	#2
chassis Colonel 8005 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Can you post more photos and some context? Is it your vehicle? Is the leak oil or another fluid (coolant, steering or transmission)?
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03-22-2021, 08:38 PM	#4
frchdragon Lieutenant 345 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	I personally would absolutely stay away from anything BMW V8. I wouldn't touch them with a 10 ft pole. (except M stuff). If I remember well, they have issues with valve cover gaskets, oil separator, valley pan gasket and maybe timing chain guides. Expensive maintenance cost, especially if the car isn't well maintained. From the pictures, it is impossible to see where the oil is coming from, you need to look to see if there is oil seeping from below the valve cover. __________________ '16 M4 bone stock '13 335ix Msport BM3 stage1 - MAD FMI - FTP CP - Bilstein B4 (SOLD) '85 635csi M30 turbo race car (SOLD)
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03-22-2021, 10:02 PM	#6
chassis Colonel 8005 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	$1,400 for a V8 X5? Run away.
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03-22-2021, 10:20 PM	#8
AnotherM Cole 325 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2016 m5 CP Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	You have to remove the lower cover so that you can see where the oil is leaking from. The m62tu very commonly leaks from the valve covers. If you work on the car yourself, fixing that is very simple.
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03-24-2021, 11:07 PM	#13
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25294 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	Avoid the V8 at all costs. My father had an E39 540i when new, and even back then with low miles that engine would have countless problems. BMW just doesn't have luck with their V8's. Find a nice BMW with the 2.5 or 3.0 M54 I6. Much more reliable, but will still leave a hole in your pocket, especially if you get the dreaded cooling system failure. They are out there, just hard to find. Found an original owner 05 E83 X3 for my youngest son with $15k of BMW Service Center receipts and was able to take it home for $3500. Took me over 10 different BMW's to look at, but finally was able to find a good one to replace his 323i. 25k miles later at 163k its had its Starter and Vanos Oil Line done, although the oil pan is leaking now, but overall running strong. knocks on wood
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03-25-2021, 12:17 AM	#14
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1994 Rep 4,019 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Almost certainly both at that age. I wouldn't buy an older x5 v8 unless it's a 4.6is that's enthusiast owned. If you really want it, go for it, but just know it's going to cost a LOT to get it fully sorted.
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03-25-2021, 07:56 PM	#15
AnotherM Cole 325 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2016 m5 CP Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	If you cant work on a bmw yourself than dont buy an older one period. If you can than buy it and enjoy.
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03-27-2021, 03:00 PM	#17
JamesGames Major 1335 Rep 1,481 Posts Drives: E60 550i\|F82 M4\|F48 X1\|VA STi Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (0)	Yea v8 bmws love to leak - on my 550i I've replaced VCG x 2 Mechatronics seal on transmission pan x 2 upper timing cover x 2 lower timing cover x 1 alternator bracket seal (car pissed oil out was lucky motor survived after dumping two quarts in roughly 10 minutes. Carrying spare oil in the trunk of old BMWS is a must) Currently leaking oil at the oil pan drain bolt area - need a new oil pan but it's a slow drip. Car has 125k - 2007 550i
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03-27-2021, 05:49 PM	#18
thebmw Post Advisor 1888 Rep 1,803 Posts Drives: More Manuals than Automatics Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois iTrader: (10)	OP, I'm in Chicago and I'm selling a 2014 X5 50i xDrive in Great Condition for only $7K (plus what I spent on repairs and 5 yr/160K mile warranty last year which was $21K total). It's a heck of a deal IMO as it will last for another 75K miles I'm sure. With BMWs and their V8s, you have to "pay to play". If you want a smaller, less powerful, less melodic engine, it will cost less. Personally, I own 4 BMW 4.4L twin turbo V8s. I think they are fine overall.
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11-22-2021, 05:25 PM	#20
omasou Brigadier General 2121 Rep 3,025 Posts Drives: BMWs Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: US iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW S1000RR [0.50] 2022 BMW F900XR [3.00] 2022 BMW X6 40i [0.50] 2020 BMW M2C [9.50]	Front timing change gaskets. BTDT. Like the other frchdragon mentioned stay away from any high mileage BMW V8 they are a money pit or can burn as much as 1 QT every 1K. His list is pretty spot on. Talked to a guy at the barber shop who carried a case of oil in his trunk! Last edited by omasou; 11-22-2021 at 05:31 PM..
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