[meek07]

Definitely looks like a leak to me. Thinking about buying some oil dye and seeing where the dye appears.

Is this a difficult job to do? Best to go with OEM gasket?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by meek07

Definitely looks like a leak to me. Thinking about buying some oil dye and seeing where the dye appears.

Is this a difficult job to do? Best to go with OEM gasket?

It's time consuming and people have difficulty keeping the gasket from rolling at the rear of the VC. A small mirror on a stick is helpful m The gasket is cheap (Genuine BMW or Elring).

The leak appears on the passenger side towards the rear. Oil turns the smoke once it drips down onto the exhaust manifold.

[elephantwalker]

The smoke coming out of the engine bay on the pax side is a giveaway that there is a gcg leak.

It’s a real PITA, but if you do it, here are some hints:
0. Disconnect the negative of the battery!!!
1. Worst captured screw is the passenger side back. Make sure you have a wobbly extension, and a universal adapter. Also, remove the engine bay divider on the passenger side. Most you tubes don’t include this step, and it gives you much better access to this screw.
2. Replace the cover and the gasket.
3. Replace the vent hose.
4. Replace the valvetronic gasket/flange.
5. Replace the spark plugs and coils at same time, it’s a while you’re in there thing.
6. Check and check again the fuel lines for leaks. I like open the door, and provide charge to the jump points in the engine bay(that red thingy) and the ground post next to it. Do after you reconnect the electrical connections. Put dry rags under each fuel rail , and you will see a fuel spray if you need to tighten down one of the rails.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by elephantwalker

The smoke coming out of the engine bay on the pax side is a giveaway that there is a gcg leak.

It’s a real PITA, but if you do it, here are some hints:
0. Disconnect the negative of the battery!!!
1. Worst captured screw is the passenger side back. Make sure you have a wobbly extension, and a universal adapter. Also, remove the engine bay divider on the passenger side. Most you tubes don’t include this step, and it gives you much better access to this screw.
2. Replace the cover and the gasket.
3. Replace the vent hose.
4. Replace the valvetronic gasket/flange.
5. Replace the spark plugs and coils at same time, it’s a while you’re in there thing.
6. Check and check again the fuel lines for leaks. I like open the door, and provide charge to the jump points in the engine bay(that red thingy) and the ground post next to it. Do after you reconnect the electrical connections. Put dry rags under each fuel rail , and you will see a fuel spray if you need to tighten down one of the rails.

When you say engine bay divider which part(s) are you referring to?


https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8661

#1 - windshield cover tray





https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8662

#2 - Partition, equipment area, top
#3 - Partition, equipment area, lower right

[Polo08816]

This post on the F25 forums shows how much someone removed to get to the valve cover:

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1773475

[elephantwalker]

Divider part 3 and 2 should be removed
-Lawrence