VACUUM PUMP OIL LEAK E46

[BMW-FAN]

318i E46 2002 175 000k

I have a small oil leak that is randomly dropping oil on the exhaust at the back of the motor and burning, i have replaced the valve cover gasket but still persists, i thing it could be the vacuum pump which is on the back of the cylinderhead if i touch the surface their is oil on it. I have seen on other forums that there is an o ring that can be replaced.

anyone had simlar experience?

 

[Yulz9081]

The o ring replacement might solve your issue but you have mileage of 175k km. My vacuum pump gave in at 120k km. Can't be repaired apparently, I tried. Replacement only at stealers something like 4k IIRC.

 

[Ricky318i]

My 2002 318i E46 at 174k km did the same times 3! sold it. Had enough of that oil burning smell!

 

[Iceman007]

Its easy to solve. Remove the Vacuum pump and then you open it up carefully. its assembled with with torque screws. then clean the old seal with some brake cleaner but dont!! remove the O ring, just clean the mating surface and also the surface of the lid. then use some grey RTV and put it all along the 'O' ring mating surface lightlyand on the O ring itself. Close it up and install back in the car and wait atleast 4 hours before starting so that the RTV can set a bit.

Just not its in a tight spot to remove and install and the part that drives the pump also swivels a bit. I usually take a mirror and turn the engine sothat the slot is vertical and makes life easyer when installing the pump.
Ive done this on 2 318i E46 already and one has done 70k already no problems no leaks from that area any more.

Goodluck

 

[Yulz9081]

@Iceman. I did exactly that and it still leaked :dunno:
Obviously didn't seal properly or I started the car immediately after.

 

[Iceman007]

@Iceman. I did exactly that and it still leaked :dunno:
Obviously didn't seal properly or I started the car immediately after.

could be or the wrong sealant. I use the locktite grey sealant it gets harder then the red RTV you get.

Also remember to relace the O ring where the pump fits in the head P/N 11667509080 from BMW item 3 in the link http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AY72&mospid=47632&btnr=11_3178&hg=11&fg=15

 

[VINDIESEL]

thats the only leak on my car,n is it irritating...tried replacing 'o' ring....
i'm just living with it now[just thought i'd let u kno, u not alone]


:dunno:

 

[Iceman007]

Well I got it fixed on 2 318 E46's and one belongs to my dad, and its still all good not a leak since I sealed the Vacuum pump and replaced the O'ring :=):

 

[freakazoid]

I currently have the same issue on an E90 320i with 110 000km.

So it seems it is not an E46 problem but a BMW problem. I was quoted approx R600 to fix.

 

[tai88]

Any luck with this guys ?
Here is a link I found:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f91/2002-e46-318i-n42-vacuum-pump-repair-t89903/

 

[Funky Toyz]

Had my vacuum pump replaced last month (mileage at 150k). After removal I could see the old pump was resealed before.

New Part price when I called SMG last month (december) R4600.00

I paid less than half that for a new part through my machy :thumbs:

EDIT: Car is an E90 320i