Is Your BMW Leaking Oil? Check These 5 Parts Immediately

Is your BMW leaving oil stains on driveway? Dealing with a problem like this can be tricky... especially when you don't know where to look. In this blog post, we have put together a list of parts that you should check before taking your BMW to a service center to get the problem fixed. Curious to know about those parts... well, for that you will have to read this blog post in full.

Car Leaking Oil When Parked: Check These 5 Parts

Finding the pinhole responsible for an oil leak in a vehicle is like finding a needle in a haystack. To help you locate the source of the leak, we've listed some parts you should be looking at.

Part #1- Oil filter

It's the oil filter from where you should start searching for the source of the oil leak… After all, this is the part through which motor oil has to constantly pass. It makes every effort to keep the engine oil free of contaminants. If for some reason the oil filter gets damaged or one of its seals or gaskets wear out, the oil will spill out. To fix the issue, you may need to replace the cracked seal or gasket. Or, you may even need to replace the entire oil filter unit.

Part #2- Drain plug

Drain plug, as the name implies, is a plug used to drain oil from the engine oil pan or sump. If for some reason its threads sustain damage, the oil will seep out of the oil pan. Also, the seal or gasket guarding the drain plug can contribute to oil leakage if it is damaged. So, if your BMW has been leaving oil puddles recently, the first thing you should do is get its drain plug tested by a certified professional. You may need to replace the drain plug to get the issue repaired.

Part #3- Gaskets

So, you have checked your drain plug and oil filter; but didn't get any clue about your oil leak problem. Your next step should be to check the various gaskets in your BMW engine. Modern car engines come fitted with different types of gaskets such as valve cover gasket, cylinder head gasket, timing cover gasket, and oil pan gasket. These gaskets are made of thin sheets of metal or rubber material and can wear out over time. Oil and coolant leakage may occur if a torn gasket is not replaced in time.

Part #4- Oil pan

Another possible explanation as to why your BMW might start leaving puddles of oil on your garage floor is a cracked oil pan. The oil pan basically holds the oil when it is not in circulation. It may crack if hit by pebbles and sharp objects found on the road. Cracks appeared on the oil pan due to the impact can result in oil loss. If your BMW is leaking oil due to a damaged oil pan, then it is something to be concerned about. Because you may need to replace the oil pan.

Part #5- Filler cap

An oil filler cap basically seals the oil reservoir. By doing so, it accomplishes three different objectives; 1- maintaining optimal pressure within the oil reservoir, 2- preventing foreign elements from entering the oil reservoir, and 3- not allowing oil to spill out. If for some reason your BMW's oil filler cap gets damaged, the oil will leak out of the reservoir. Not doing something about it can contribute to a wide range of engine issues in a vehicle.

Can You Drive Your BMW With An Oil Leak?

Yes, you can… But it’s not recommended.

Oil is crucial for a car engine to function. It circulates through designated routes to assist the engine in many different things. If its level falls below a certain threshold, engine performance will deteriorate. So if your BMW is leaking oil, don’t take it for granted.

Key Takeaways

Oil leakage can take a toll on your vehicle. The unavailability of an adequate amount of oil may contribute to sluggish performance, engine overheating, increased fuel consumption, etc. So if you ever notice puddles of oil underneath your BMW, don't take it for granted. Find out the culprit. If you lack the expertise, take your vehicle to the nearest car service center.