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Ok, then how did the oil get there? (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by dudel on July 23, 2001 at 04:50:33:

In Reply to: It may not be a leak! posted by Geoff Hoad on July 22, 2001 at 21:30:30:

Sorry, but if you got oil in the spark plug wells, the only place it can come from if from a leak in the inner seal on the valve cover. It might get worse if you make sharp turns which will force oil up and over the seal; but it's not going away.

What's your reasoning that the leak went away? That the seal just started sealing again? Possible; but not probable.


Don
95 540i
95 ///Miata


This problem may also occur when oil is poired into the engine. If there is an overflow the oil tends to flow down the side of the manifold towards the plugs, which as you noted, are great recepticles for oil.

A quick test is to clean out all the oil, I used paper towels, then run the car around for a day or two and check again. If the oil is back ( and you haven't topped up the oil in that time) then you have a leak. If not then the problem is solved.

Good luck and tell us how you go.

Geoff
'94 525iA




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