[JB4N]

I have been worried about my 2008 BMW 335i possibly having a head gasket leak. The OFHG and Valve cover have just been replaced so I know they are not the problem. I have read a couple of threads where some say its normal for the head to seep a little oil, is that true? No other problems from the car, Im just a very picky person when it comes to cars leaking oil.

[Dark_Knight_335]

N54 engines have some of the worst oil management systems in any engine BMW ever made.

The N55 engine is vastly improved in this way, with its completely revamped VANOS system.

[JB4N]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

N54 engines have some of the worst oil management systems in any engine BMW ever made.

The N55 engine is vastly improved in this way, with its completely revamped VANOS system.

So is it normal for a little oil to leak form the head gasket on the intake side?

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by JB4N

So is it normal for a little oil to leak form the head gasket on the intake side?

No. The head gasket shouldn't leak at all. Are you sure it's not the valve cover gasket? Maybe the oil is dripping down from there near where the head and block meet.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Engines are not supposed to leak oil.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by JB4N

So is it normal for a little oil to leak form the head gasket on the intake side?

I'm sorry, no, that area isn't normal. More by the blow by valve and the intercooler (easily addressed with an oil catch can.)

[PhaseP]

[QUOTE=JB4N;18930409. The OFHG and Valve cover have just been replaced so I know they are not the problem. [/QUOTE]

Valve cover gasket may get rolled and pinched during installation that will cause leak also.

[mportoRSV4]

[QUOTE=PhaseP]

Originally Posted by JB4N;18930409. The OFHG and Valve cover have just been replaced so I know they are not the problem. [/QUOTE

Valve cover gasket may get rolled and pinched during installation that will cause leak also.

This ^^^^ was going to be my response. I've personally done exactly that!

[JB4N]

I will take a look at that. I drove the car today and did not see any oil from the head! Maybe it's just residue form the OFHG or Valve cover replacement.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Engines are not supposed to leak oil.

agreed...knock on wood my N54 doesn't require topping off. But it seems to be an issue as of late, I saw where Porsche's official stance is 3 qts. per interval is ok. Not sure how the heck they came up with that. Another person said he was told the same with his Subaru.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

It's not normal for your engine to seep oil.

[Pyewacket69]

Originally Posted by John 070

agreed...knock on wood my N54 doesn't require topping off. But it seems to be an issue as of late, I saw where Porsche's official stance is 3 qts. per interval is ok. Not sure how the heck they came up with that. Another person said he was told the same with his Subaru.

CR recently ran a story on excessive oil usage.

They noted that quite a few manufacturers feel that losing a quart every 750-1000 miles is normal operation.

I disagree, as I suspect most folks here would.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...tion/index.htm

[blackturbo]

Originally Posted by PhaseP

Valve cover gasket may get rolled and pinched during installation that will cause leak also.

Yes this can happen. My ohfg got pinched. After a year it started leaking.