94 740i bad oil leak (archive)

I'm looking to buy a '94 740i with 80K on it. I don't know yet if the block has been replaced I'll find out tomorrow. Howver, it does idle and run smoothly.

What I'm concerned about is a heavy oil leak. It seems to be coming out of the oil filler cap. Upon close inspection of the cap, one of the "ears" was bent on a 45 degree angle. It did look like oil might be coming from from this area. It was night time when I looked at it, so I'm not sure, but it was very heavy.

I have done a search and found info regarding oil leaks from the tensioner and a clogged filler cap that might cause oil to leak from several places. These were on a 750, is a 740 similar?

I went back today to look at it in the day light. It had been sitting all night and there was a puddle on the front, (passenger side) and another about a foot further back.

I plan to take it in for a pre-purchase inspection, but if someone had an idea, it might save me time or money. If it's the tensioner, is that expensive to repair?

I can get this car for a great price, I just need to make sure there isn't a reason why it's so cheap. Thanks in advance.

Bill

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