DepthPatrol’s 2002 Japanrot M3 Build/Restore Journal

[Slideways]

That o-ring is for the top of the dipstick. The 11431707164 is for the bottom where seals at the oil pan. There is also a large washer that is supposed to be on top of it as well.

[DepthPatrol]

That o-ring is for the top of the dipstick. The 11431707164 is for the bottom where seals at the oil pan. There is also a large washer that is supposed to be on top of it as well.

What… there was no washer, no o-ring on top and no o-ring on bottom to seal to the pan. Pretty sure this is a decent source of leakage. I’ll check realoem and get the other bits. Huge thanks I would have fired her up and had the same problem again. 🙏

[Slideways]

What… there was no washer, no oring on top and no oring on bottom to seal to the pan. Pretty surr this is a decent source of leakage. I’ll check realoem and get the other bits. Huge thanks I would have fired her up and had the same problem again. 🙏

You need #20 washer and #21 o-ring. The part number in the picture you have above is #16.

[DepthPatrol]

Huge thanks!! This community is incredible. additional bottom 0-ring and washer on order with ECS. Hopefully installed before Thanksgiving.

[DepthPatrol]

Front main seal can leak and cause the oil to travel back to the trans. Any oil leaking near the A/C compressor?

Have explored, confirmed front of engine area and cover all dry. AC compressor no oil in that area thank goodness. After i get oil dipstick o-ring sorted, not left with much else as a source but rear main seal? CPV, vanos line, oil filter housing, timing chain tensioner washer, oil pan, valve cover casket, power steering all good.

[Slideways]

Have explored, confirmed front of engine area and cover all dry. AC compressor no oil in that area thank goodness. After i get oil dipstick o-ring sorted, not left with much else as a source but rear main seal? Cpv. vanos line, oil filter housing, timing chain tensioner washer, oil pan, valve cover casket, power steering all good.

Yeah, after the dipstick tube, the rear main seal sounds like the only remaining potential source.

[Arclitgold]

Good luck! This community is awesome

[DepthPatrol]

Underside covers back on and car is on the ground awaiting carbon airbox to arrive. Recap of the push on maintenance. Dipstick pan new o-ring and washer, new o-ring on dipstick up top, new rear dif fluid and bolts/washers, new o-ring on power steering reservoir, new vanos high pressure line. Cycled heat while in the air and did not se any leaks so fingers crossed I got it resolved but time will tell after another few drives and i'll check the pans for oil again. Then it would likely be rear main seal time. Otherwise, Eventuri carbon box should arrive in 2 weeks. Bummer not going to have the car together for coffee runs over Thanksgiving this week. Hope everyone has quality time away from work and with family!



One last thing that may be contributing to the oil leak issue. I came across a post where a member was asking the group about the SMG return line connector piece which is a red clip that holds the return line into the SMG pump. While airbox is out, I went back to check the old line that connected to the stock airbox and there was no retaining clip present. This checks out because there was SMG fluid around the area and down the side of the pump. The o-rings inside of the SMG pump inlet are there still and seem to give an ok seal, but I need to sort out what to do about the retaining clip. I don't see any individual clips from BMW and only option from MLR engineering for $85 for the tiny little red clip, which is out of the question (https://mlreng.com/products/e46-m3-s...40486672466007). I need to either zip tie the line down to the SMG pump inlet which is against my OCD code, or find a red clip that was missing from the old line. Really getting tired of finding easter eggs like this "while i'm in there"... Picture of the SMG pump inlet with the 2 o-rings and brass fitting present in the pump body which is good. Witch hunt for the red retaining clip begins.

[Flow]

That little clip is only available with the entire pump assembly from BMW… huge pain in the ass if you break it, which is very easy to do.
Good luck to you.