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andrer · 02-20-2009, 06:11 PM

Hello, I bought this car used from California and imported it into Alberta, Canada. It has 215000 kms or about 128000 miles. The other night I went to leave the arena but got an engine oil low warning message. The temperature that night was about -18 celcius the coldest this car has seen in its entire life I would guess. I looked under the car and there was some oil on the ground and there was no oil on the dipstick. The driver side of the engine looked like it had been sprayed with oil. I top it up (took 3 litres) and started the car but I could not see any leak. I towed the car home anyway and after looking at it closely I found that oil seemed to have come from the crankcase vent valve area but it is hard to see under there without removing a lot of stuff. I went on the internet and found that there is a cold weather valve that I can purchase. What could have caused the leak, could I have lost that much oil through the valve and do I have to remove the intake manifold to replace the valve? How serious is this?
Thank you.

Godwin · 02-21-2009, 05:56 PM

I think it will be hard to pin point any damage besides doing a complete tear down..

I think the best you can do right now is to do an oil anaylsis of oil. would be helpful if you have some of your old oil around to compare too.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

whataboykie · 02-22-2009, 09:31 AM

You might find some knowledgeable assistance at the following websites:

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/ or http://www.bmwtips.com/

I used them for information & assistance with my previous rides, 92' E34 & 97' E39. You might find that someone else has experienced the same problem and can guide you to exactly how to fix it - save your time & $$.

Good luck.

Jase007 · 06-18-2009, 07:54 PM

Try Bimmerfest.com and Bimmerforums.com in the E39 sections. There have been several threads on DIY the CCV or CVV (crankcase ventilation valve). It is a DIY on M52, M52TU and M54 motors without removing the intake. Lots of other stuff needs to get moved to get to the cheap plastic / brittle liknes leading to the CCV / CVV

02-20-2009, 06:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
andrer newbie Name: andre Joined: Oct 2008 From: alberta Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oil leak on my 2002 525it Hello, I bought this car used from California and imported it into Alberta, Canada. It has 215000 kms or about 128000 miles. The other night I went to leave the arena but got an engine oil low warning message. The temperature that night was about -18 celcius the coldest this car has seen in its entire life I would guess. I looked under the car and there was some oil on the ground and there was no oil on the dipstick. The driver side of the engine looked like it had been sprayed with oil. I top it up (took 3 litres) and started the car but I could not see any leak. I towed the car home anyway and after looking at it closely I found that oil seemed to have come from the crankcase vent valve area but it is hard to see under there without removing a lot of stuff. I went on the internet and found that there is a cold weather valve that I can purchase. What could have caused the leak, could I have lost that much oil through the valve and do I have to remove the intake manifold to replace the valve? How serious is this? Thank you.

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02-21-2009, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Godwin Member Joined: Jun 2008 From: 49.19 N 122.54 W Posts: 60 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 2 Times in 2 Posts	I think it will be hard to pin point any damage besides doing a complete tear down.. I think the best you can do right now is to do an oil anaylsis of oil. would be helpful if you have some of your old oil around to compare too. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

02-22-2009, 09:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
whataboykie Member Name: gone Joined: May 2008 From: somewhere else Posts: 50 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 2 Times in 2 Posts whataboykie's pictures	You might find some knowledgeable assistance at the following websites: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/ or http://www.bmwtips.com/ I used them for information & assistance with my previous rides, 92' E34 & 97' E39. You might find that someone else has experienced the same problem and can guide you to exactly how to fix it - save your time & $$. Good luck.

06-18-2009, 07:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jase007 newbie Name: Jason Joined: Jun 2009 From: Falls Church Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Try Bimmerfest.com and Bimmerforums.com in the E39 sections. There have been several threads on DIY the CCV or CVV (crankcase ventilation valve). It is a DIY on M52, M52TU and M54 motors without removing the intake. Lots of other stuff needs to get moved to get to the cheap plastic / brittle liknes leading to the CCV / CVV

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Oil leak on my 2002 525it