[bimmermobile]

Hi All,

I am having a rough time trying to figure out an issue with my car.I have a 2014 F30 BMW 320I M Sport Package

Long story short - I took my car to Tire Kingdom for a standard oil change. They said the oil change was done and fixed. Next day I noticed that the car was acting weird when it I would shift to the next gear. It was like something was blocking it from shifting. Took it back and finally the store manager claimed that the Air Meter Pipe was worn out and showed me where it was burning the rubber.

They ordered the part from BMW dealer and replaced it. Drove off and maybe 3 weeks later I am noticing I smell a burning smell from the car. I still drive around as I am not sure what it is.

I check my oil and noticed that the oil is leaking onto my driveway over time. I'm not sure if that is due to them fucking up the oil change or what. I also notice that light smoke at times comes from what looks like under the engine area. I have a feeling it is this Air meter pipe that they replaced and maybe fucked something up...

The engine has never overheated and that would be an indicator that it would engine related. Car drives and have never gotten an overheat signal or temperature above the middle or overheating. But I don't like to not know what it may be.

Sorry for the long post but I really wanted to explain thoroughly.

Attached is a link to a video I recorded last night of where the light smoke is coming from hopefully you can see.

Any experts, leads, to hopefully confirm my thoughts or figure out what it is.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f7F...ew?usp=sharing

[328iX]

Valve cover gasket leak, it's leaking right onto the exhaust header below it (the copper looking thing).

[bimmermobile]

Okay, is that really bad and how much do you think that would cost and what tips?

[340iGUY]

Its expensive but are you sure its the gasket?
Tire Kingdom botch job cover-up.
What does iDrive say about your oil levels?

[bimmermobile]

Yeah I am not sure what it is. What should I do with Tire kingdom? raise hell? They charged me 167 for the part alone and didn't charge labor but I feel like they screwed it up.

The oil levels are at half but I just got a oil change so I think it is losing oil

Should I take it to an bmw authorized mechanic or take it to the BMW dealership?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by bimmermobile

Yeah I am not sure what it is. What should I do with Tire kingdom? raise hell? They charged me 167 for the part alone and didn't charge labor but I feel like they screwed it up.

The oil levels are at half but I just got a oil change so I think it is losing oil

Should I take it to an bmw authorized mechanic or take it to the BMW dealership?

Let me clear the air a bit.

A valve cover gasket is not bad, nor is it urgent, nor will it drop your oil levels significantly, it would take a long period of time before you even loose a few ounces.

Any BMW specialist repair shop will easily diagnose and repair it, it's not a big deal this is a very common problem.

Lastly, this issue is unrelated to your cars shifting problems. Just a coincidence.

[bimmermobile]

Thank you David!

I did realize after looking online that it is fairly normal. My car just hit 140k miles. I'm just annoyed because I was skeptical due to my bad experience at tire kingdom I was feeling like they screwed it up.

So even though the light smoke happens would you advise against driving it for errands until it is fixed? The place I am looking to bring it is closed this weekend.

I just don't want to cause any further issues.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by bimmermobile

Thank you David!

I did realize after looking online that it is fairly normal. My car just hit 140k miles. I'm just annoyed because I was skeptical due to my bad experience at tire kingdom I was feeling like they screwed it up.

So even though the light smoke happens would you advise against driving it for errands until it is fixed? The place I am looking to bring it is closed this weekend.

I just don't want to cause any further issues.

Yes it's fine, it's honestly probably started a long time ago, it takes a good while before it gets bad enough to start hitting the exhaust header and smoking.

I would get it repaired as soon as you can due to it smoking, it won't affect anything. Also get that oil change done. haha

[F30lolz]

Where in FL are you? If you’re in south FL I can recommend a few places.

[bimmermobile]

I'm in palm beach county area. Anything would help!

[bimmermobile]

Well since it is lightly smoking I wanna take care of it. I don't even feel ok driving it because its the only car I have lol. Yeah I will be sure to get it done.

What do you think it will cost to take care of it all? BMW Dealership will probably cost an arm and leg right?

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by bimmermobile

I'm in palm beach county area. Anything would help!

Contact Pedro, shoot him a text 305-206-2663. Has a shop in North Miami Beach but may be able to go to you.

[dmaxdmax]

Not sure, but I didn't see someone here suggest that it's just the o-ring on the oil filter canister that was put on in the wrong spot.

I'm sure there's a groove below the flange where the oil filter o-ring fits. If it's put up against the flange, it'll leak oil...you'll lose oil, see oil, the car will run 'off' and it'd drip onto the hot engine and you'd smell a light burning.

It 'could' be the vcg...and will be someday...but I believe in proximate causes--the oil change...and a new guy doing it.

[njdangelo]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Not sure, but I didn't see someone here suggest that it's just the o-ring on the oil filter canister that was put on in the wrong spot.

I'm sure there's a groove below the flange where the oil filter o-ring fits. If it's put up against the flange, it'll leak oil...you'll lose oil, see oil, the car will run 'off' and it'd drip onto the hot engine and you'd smell a light burning.

It 'could' be the vcg...and will be someday...but I believe in proximate causes--the oil change...and a new guy doing it.

Plus one on this. Car was fine before oil change, now it's smoking and you had drivability issues. VCG wouldn't leak oil on your driveway. You are losing oil, and at a decent pace if you're already at half of a liter lost. Take it to a reputable place, give them the details of the last couple weeks and go from there.

While this place may know tires, I bet they do a lot less oil changes on German automobiles.... same reason I never get a salad at Burger King 😂

[bimmermobile]

Yeah I think you are right njdangelo.

I'm confused about the oil loss when they did the oil change. Why would oil be leaking over time. Well the store manager assured me he knows bmws but yeah could be bs. I'm just hoping it is that and is a simple fix.

What do you recommend? Taking it to a local place?

[328iX]

How are they going to recommend oil filter cannister when the smoke is no where near the cannister and directly next to the VCG.

The oil filter cannister would be very visible if it was leaking, it's out in the open.

[bimmermobile]

Originally Posted by 328iX

How are they going to recommend oil filter cannister when the smoke is no where near the cannister and directly next to the VCG.

The oil filter cannister would be very visible if it was leaking, it's out in the open.

Originally Posted by 328iX

How are they going to recommend oil filter cannister when the smoke is no where near the cannister and directly next to the VCG.

The oil filter cannister would be very visible if it was leaking, it's out in the open.

I took it in to apex automotive, here is what they sent me for a quote and diagnosis.

What do you think? Should I go to BMW dealership instead?

Check the photos they sent me below.

[bimmermobile]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Contact Pedro, shoot him a text 305-206-2663. Has a shop in North Miami Beach but may be able to go to you.

Checkout below in the thread let me know if you think this is okay or what I should do? 2k later

[328iX]

Originally Posted by bimmermobile

I took it in to apex automotive, here is what they sent me for a quote and diagnosis.

What do you think? Should I go to BMW dealership instead?

Check the photos they sent me below.

Called it.

That price is good if they're replacing the entire valve cover assembly, I would try to get an estimate elsewhere tho, I don't see their hourly listed. Obtaining parts yourself will also save you a ton.

The oil filter housing gasket is unrelated to doing an oil change and replacing the o-ring for the canister as others stated.

It also wouldn't cause smoke because the engine block doesn't get hot enough to reach the flash point of oil.

Also the Oil filter housing gasket is another common BMW engine problem and you would've ran into it one way or another based off age.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by bimmermobile

Checkout below in the thread let me know if you think this is okay or what I should do? 2k later

They seriously want to charge $104 just to replace the belt? FWIW I drove my 428 to NY late June and noticed my serpentine belt was starting to give up the ghost. Purchased a Continental belt for $36 and had a shop I used to use back when I lived in NY install it for $50. Took them maybe 20-30 minutes if that.

I would get 2nd-3rd quotes as maybe the valve cover itself is fine and it just needs the VCG (valve cover gasket).

[bimmermobile]

I am awaiting a quote from bmw dealership. This place said they would price match any price I get. I told them to hold off on the belt because its not a complete necessity.

I am trying to get some one more quote and go from there.

If BMW is cheaper I may go with them only because they will give me a loaner vs not having a car for a few days