Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

Instructions for Checking Engine Oil Leaks

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Part: Engine oil

See other generations:
Video tutorial

If your car is smoking and smells burnt from under the hood after a drive on a winding road, or if you find oil spots on the ground, there is an oil leak problem: let's figure out where it's coming from. Many E46 6-cylinder gasoline engines have the following issue: oil leaks from the head into the valve cover, accumulating and dripping onto the hot exhaust manifolds at the first turn; essentially, this oil easily finds its way through the screw holes in the center of the valve cover because the mating surface created on the cover is not flat with the head surface and therefore does not seal properly.

First, remove the pollen filter (2 or 3 quick releases) and the related support (some Torx screws), and take off the coil cover (2 M6 nuts): you will start to see the oil path and where the oil drips onto the exhaust manifold cover. By unscrewing all the fastening screws of the valve cover, you will notice that the old gasket is practically burnt out, especially on the exhaust side.


Updated on 4 February 2026 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

Check Engine Oil Level and Top Up
Check Engine Oil Level and Top Up
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Open the hood and ensure it is securely supported: pull the engine oil dipstick and check the level to assess any oil consumption between services. T…
How to Add Engine Oil to the BMW 3 Series
How to Add Engine Oil to the BMW 3 Series
BMW Serie 3 (2012-2019 / F31, F30) Today's procedure will show you how to add and top off the new engine oil in the BMW 3 Series. First, open the hood of the vehicle and start unscrewi…
Check Fluid Levels and Routine Inspections
Check Fluid Levels and Routine Inspections
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Open the hood and ensure it is securely supported. The recommended routine checks to perform are as follows (perform with the engine cold): - Check e…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Reset the Tire Pressure Light on a MG ZS?

On the instrument cluster of the MG ZS, the tire pressure light that appears can be reset by inflating the tires to the correct pressure: this value will be indicated on the sticker attached to the driver's door pillar. Once the tires have been properly inflated, you can turn on the instrument cluster and navigate through the menu until you find the option that indicates tire pressure: if this screen shows the new values, the light will turn off; otherwise, you will need to drive for a few miles so that the sensors can read the new values and turn off the light afterward.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos