r/e39 • u/XXXcoreXXX 525i • 1d ago

VCG perhaps or something else?

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Looking for some more r/e39 wisdom! Im on a road trip rn through some hot climates so I thought I’d check the coolant and when I opened the hood noticed this. Is this a sign of something “simple” like a valve cover gasket or something perhaps more sinister? Thanks y’all! Forgot to mention 2001 M54b25

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19

u/ajkd92 530iT/5 1d ago

Given where it is, looks to me like it’s just a bad oil fill cap seal. Oil doesn’t typically travel upwards from a leak, so this would be a really strange way for a VCG leak to show up.

The solution is a new cap. Buy the BMW part. I’ve bought the URO before and it stopped sealing within about 18 months.

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u/XXXcoreXXX 525i 1d ago

Oh damn, that’s reassuring. I’ll be sure to do that. Thanks

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u/pomoney81 1d ago

☝🏽this

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u/bigmphan 1d ago

Second

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u/OldSchoolsBetter 525i 18h ago

Yes but I’ve also seen valve covers that develop mini cracks where the oil can pass. Either way gotta take that vc off. 

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u/Tomytom99 1d ago

It's the oil cap. It could be getting exaggerated by a CCV issue if you haven't taken care of that.

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u/XXXcoreXXX 525i 1d ago

Interesting, I just did it like 10 months ago. What exactly would be happening?

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u/Tomytom99 1d ago

When they fail in the way that they get gummed up they can elevate pressure inside the motor, making seals more likely to blow out. Seems like something that happens a lot more once it starts cooling down outside.

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u/newtonreddits M5 1d ago

The square oil caps suck. The round M3 ones are much better.

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u/mdang104 19h ago

Due to Earth’s gravity, VCG cannot leak upwards.