Oily/greasy residue on charge pipe and air box, what is that???

[daixloxbmw]

Car: 2011 135i with M-Sport Pkg and DCT at ~6,700 miles.

Modifications: V5 Procede with updated Fuel Harness and Golf Tee Mod

Just popped the hood open last night and noticed an oily/greasy residue all over the top and sides of the charge pipe and the underside of the air box. Based on the location of the residue, it seems like something between the charge pipe and air box is emitting/spraying it out. What could it be? The locations immediately outside of the affected area seem to be spotless so it appears to be very isolated. The car is only about half a year old and with low mileage, the rest of the engine bay is fairly clean with just some leaves scattered about.

Sorry, I am at work at the moment so I can't post a picture yet. I will try to post a picture by the end of the night.

Anyway, the car drives fine with no noticeable symptoms. Am I just being paranoid?

Thanks in advance.

[daixloxbmw]

Okay, so I know this isn't an exact representation of my engine but the angle of the picture best illustrates the affected areas in yellow.



Any ideas what could be causing this? What is that residue and where is it coming from?

I will post a picture of the actual problem later tonight.

Thanks again.

[onefastman]

Blow by, I get it all over my engine bay with a bov.

Not near as bad now that I have an occ but still there.

[daixloxbmw]

Originally Posted by onefastman

Blow by, I get it all over my engine bay with a bov.

Not near as bad now that I have an occ but still there.

Thanks for the quick response. Is this normal then?

[Kamal]

Originally Posted by daixloxbmw

Thanks for the quick response. Is this normal then?

Unfortunately, it seems to be quite normal. I've got the same oily residue coating my intake piping.

[romak47]

normal to get it.. the n55 should be better compared to n54 however, since it has updated engineering on the PCV's.
I just got a BOV and BSH OCC so i hope i dont get oil all over my engine bay now. lol..

[BerkTechnology]

Normal for the N54 and normal for just about any engine. Every engine has some blow by as it is impossible to get a 100% seal at the piston rings.

[SlickShift]

The oil/greasy residue is, well, oil. Normal though.

[Si-M240i]

if it is quite a bit of oil and wet then you may have a leak. Check all your clamps are tight and no leaking is evident where they join the charge pipe or where the charge pipe fits onto the throttle body. It is also worth looking at the DDV's to see if anything is leaking from there. If all those are ok, then I guess it's as the others have said above

[thez99]

Just curious for those with the bsh catch cans, how easy is it to empty the can?

[daixloxbmw]

Originally Posted by Si-135i

if it is quite a bit of oil and wet then you may have a leak. Check all your clamps are tight and no leaking is evident where they join the charge pipe or where the charge pipe fits onto the throttle body. It is also worth looking at the DDV's to see if anything is leaking from there. If all those are ok, then I guess it's as the others have said above

No, it's not a lot of oil. Just a very thin mist coating of it and it definitely looks like it was lightly sprayed on as opposed to dripped on. Thanks for the quick answers guys. Now I can sleep soundly at night.

[Si-M240i]

Originally Posted by daixloxbmw

No, it's not a lot of oil. Just a very thin mist coating of it and it definitely looks like it was lightly sprayed on as opposed to dripped on. Thanks for the quick answers guys. Now I can sleep soundly at night.

A boost leak wouldn't drip...it is under pressure so it would "spray" anyway, from what you describe, it sounds like an insignificant amount and no need to worry unless it gets worse

[Si-M240i]

Originally Posted by thez99

Just curious for those with the bsh catch cans, how easy is it to empty the can?

I use a plastic pipe to "suck" it out so I don't let it fill up much. Otherwise you have to remove it to get to the drain plug

[fusionchicken]

Sorry to bring a thread back but I’m having similar oil residue but a bit more toward the front of the engine, and my alternator is getting some oil on it as well which can’t be good.

The origin of the oil seems to be from under the pipe coming out of the air box similar to what the OP described

The car drives the same still but with summer coming up I just want to be sure this isn’t going to break something ... pretty sure an alternator shouldn’t get oil on it so might be SOL

[Sliiiiick]

I had the same thing. It was the HPFP gaskets. Replaced both for $10 each and no more leaking onto my chargepipe, alternator, etc.

[juld0zer]

Chargepipe is heavily greased at the throttle body end. The oil base in the grease seems to wick a bit.

Sliiiiiiick, i think you meant the OFHG gaskets?
Fusionchicken, check your oil filter housing gaskets. A leak there will dribble onto the belt, slinging it onto the alternator and soiling the top radiator hose also

[fusionchicken]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Chargepipe is heavily greased at the throttle body end. The oil base in the grease seems to wick a bit.

Sliiiiiiick, i think you meant the OFHG gaskets?
Fusionchicken, check your oil filter housing gaskets. A leak there will dribble onto the belt, slinging it onto the alternator and soiling the top radiator hose also

Thanks, yeah my oil filter housing gasket is leaking a bit, but I’ve been checking the belt and it looks dry? If it’s slinging oil onto surrounding parts I probably should replace it ASAP lol

[fusionchicken]

So I replaced my OFHG and the two high pressure hoses connecting the oil cooler to the radiator.

For good measure I also replaced the stock drive belt and the pulleys

Now it’s pretty clear that my chargepipe / diverter valve is/are spraying oil. What’s bloody annoying is that oil is getting on my new drive belt

This explains my very occasional 30FF low boost code too hopefully replacing the chargepipe and DV is the end of this oil leak on drive belt saga

[Sliiiiick]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Chargepipe is heavily greased at the throttle body end. The oil base in the grease seems to wick a bit.

Sliiiiiiick, i think you meant the OFHG gaskets?
Fusionchicken, check your oil filter housing gaskets. A leak there will dribble onto the belt, slinging it onto the alternator and soiling the top radiator hose also

Yes you’re right! Oil filter housing gaskets!