2015 M4 - Need some help finding source of potential oil leak

[rezilient]

Hi all.

I was smelling slight burning smell post track day, and was hoping it would go away but it persisted after daily driving. I unbuttoned the bottom steel plate expecting maybe its some burning rubber marbles from the track, but see there is a tiny bit of oil on one of the exhaust down pipes. However I'm not able to see where its originating from looking from top or bottom of the engine.

Any ideas or common spots I should look at?

Pics attached of what I can see.

[rezilient]

Originally Posted by rezilient

Hi all.

I was smelling slight burning smell post track day, and was hoping it would go away but it persisted after daily driving. I unbuttoned the bottom steel plate expecting maybe its some burning rubber marbles from the track, but see there is a tiny bit of oil on one of the exhaust down pipes. However I'm not able to see where its originating from looking from top or bottom of the engine.

Any ideas or common spots I should look at?

Pics attached of what I can see.

Originally Posted by rezilient

Hi all.

I was smelling slight burning smell post track day, and was hoping it would go away but it persisted after daily driving. I unbuttoned the bottom steel plate expecting maybe its some burning rubber marbles from the track, but see there is a tiny bit of oil on one of the exhaust down pipes. However I'm not able to see where its originating from looking from top or bottom of the engine.

Any ideas or common spots I should look at?

Pics attached of what I can see.

Here you can see the oil. It's just a tiny amount but enough to cause the smell.

[rezilient]

Any ideas? Common leakage spots?

[McIntoshMotorSports]

Have you looked where the valve cover meets the head? Typically that gasket starts to wear after 60K+ miles and due to the nature of BMW i6's being at an angle, it primarily will seep towards the back and then down onto the downpipes.

[rezilient]

Originally Posted by McIntoshMotorSports

Have you looked where the valve cover meets the head? Typically that gasket starts to wear after 60K+ miles and due to the nature of BMW i6's being at an angle, it primarily will seep towards the back and then down onto the downpipes.

I think you're right, thank you. It appears to be a very minor leak right now but I assume it will get worse especially with hard driving and the JB4 map. I'm currently still under my Carmax warranty so I think they should cover it.

I'll also have them do the spark plugs when they do the valve cover gasket, since I'm not sure when they were done last.

Should they normally replace the plastic value cover when they do the gasket since it likely warped? Is there a metal one available that would be more durable?

Anything else they could easily replace as preventative maintenance while the valve cover all top bits are removed?

Thanks!

More pics below for anyone that might benefit...

[Vandaljimenez]

Yeah that's for sure VC gasket

[IVM3]

To be sure you're aware.... you can use your carmax warranty at the BMW dealer or a euro shop that accepts it. I wouldn't have carmax do this work themselves.

[rezilient]

Originally Posted by IVM3

To be sure you're aware.... you can use your carmax warranty at the BMW dealer or a euro shop that accepts it. I wouldn't have carmax do this work themselves.

Thanks, ya I was concerned that my small upgrades (springs, etc) would be an issue with CarMax service but hopefully an indy shop wouldn’t care. How does that work, they just sent the claim to CarMax and get paid, and i just pay them the deductible directly? CarMax doesn’t need to review the vehicle itself?

[Vandaljimenez]

You can send your car to BMW, and let the bmw advisor create and process the extended warranty claim with carmax. That way you also have bmw techs work on it, not some rando. Be sure you put together any other concern you might also have during that visit.

[rezilient]

Originally Posted by Vandaljimenez

You can send your car to BMW, and let the bmw advisor create and process the extended warranty claim with carmax. That way you also have bmw techs work on it, not some rando. Be sure you put together any other concern you might also have during that visit.

Thanks, so do you think Bmw would have any concerns with the upgrades? The one I think might be an issue is the JB4 tune because higher boost could be argued to have resulted in the oil leaking right?

[BzsBimmer]

As someone who has used the Carmax warranty several times, usually someone from Carmax will need to approve the repairs. Sometimes they will go to the shop to assess it. I haven’t used one in a few years so not sure if they have become stricter. Ask your dealer if they deal with Carmax warranty.

[Vandaljimenez]

Hopefully you’d get a good advisor that actually tries to help. Other than that, I know adjusters for warranty companies can get strict, and would rather the car be completely stock.