Oil Leak Problem/Issue

[GofaST4life]

Whats up guys? Im back with my 4th DSM, and of course, there are issues.

Seems like the oil leak that the previous owner had "fixed" is now back.

There is an aftermarket oil pressure gauge in the car (seems to be really cheap). Only goes up to 80psi. At idle it reads around 20, when boosting or close to WOT the needle goes past 80 easily and with ease, which makes think its junk but still.

This is what I was "told" by the previous owner.

165K on body and 20K on motor. Motor is 4G63 with JE forged pistons bored 20 over and all new bearings, new oil pump, water pump, timing belt, tensioner and idler pulleys.

Keep in mind the previous owner is a friend of mine, not a close friend, but someone I generally trust.

I found that the one valve cover bolt in rear right corner of the VC doesn't tighten. I noticed that it looked loose so I went to tighten it and it just gets to a point and spins. BUT it does thread, I have to un-screw it normally...idk what to do about that either.

Here are the pictures I took.

When looking at them, I could see oil "pooling" where the after market oil pressure gauge is, and there was oil pooling from that bigger allen key bolt. At the very top of the second photo, that big, also inch wide bolt was oil soaked and kinda dripping.

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Any thoughts guys?

 

[bosting28psi]

Use brake cleaner spray off the dirt oil grease make it nice and clean then look for leak.

 

[bmwtuning]

It could be that cheap oil pressure gauge fitting that is leaking.

 

[GofaST4life]

OK, so the car got inspected today, we found the oil leak and to my satisfaction its a "reletivly" simple fix.

Although the SH*T hit the fan driving back to Erie from Fredonia...

Noticed a small oil burning smell...so i cracked a window and got hit in the face with burning oil smoke. I pulled over, as soon as the car stopped its forward motion my headlights showed me the amounts of smoke coming out. I popped the hood and saw oil EVERYWHERE!!!! had nothing but my POS cell phone for light. everything looked "good" and then i saw it, the damn dipstick was out...so i put it back in, oil all over, my exhaust manifold was red hot, no joke.

I had bought 2 quarts of oil before the trip and put them in the car. Babied her back to erie, intensly watching all gauges. As soon as I got off the exit i bought more oil and babied her home.

Evey time i stopped i checked the dipstick, it seemed to be fine now, but my exhaust manifold was glowing every time. I wasn't hitting any boost and all three times she was red hot.

Im so bummed out with all of this, i spetn like $300 today just getting her legal and inspected...im afraid im going to lose my DSM love...

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

A Red hot exhaust manifold generally means that it's running Rich (correct me if I'm wrong).

Secondly, if the Dipstick is popping out, this points to a bad PCV system. You need to check the check valve at the back of your Valve cover. If this is malfunctioning it could cause crankcase pressure to build up and could be the cause of your oil leaks. The Valve on the back of the Valve cover that is connected to your intake manifold by a hose should only allow air OUT of the valve cover. if you can blow through it both ways, it's malfunctioning and there's your problem.

 

[19Eclipse90]

Glowing red manifold is normal for long drives at constant speed/loads and is most noticeable at night with little other light.

Dipstick could also be popping out because of bad rings; a leak down test will tell you if that is the case.