What Causes Oil Leakage from the Oil Pan of a BMW 3 Series Engine?

[AriannaRose]

Reasons for oil leakage from the oil pan of a BMW 3 Series engine: 1. If the oil pan starts leaking after an oil change, it may be due to the use of oil that does not meet the original vehicle's standard specifications, resulting in excessively thin oil viscosity. 2. Overfilling of engine oil during an oil change. It is important to ensure the oil level remains within the normal range. 3. The oil drain plug may be loose or damaged. The washer on the drain plug serves as a seal and should ideally be replaced regularly according to the maintenance schedule. Tighten or replace the drain plug as needed. 4. Partial oil leakage from the oil pan gasket indicates that the gasket is either aged or of poor quality. In such cases, the oil pan must be removed to replace the gasket or apply sealant to the leaking area. Note that oil seepage is not a malfunction, but oil leakage should be taken seriously. As long as the oil level does not decrease, it is considered seepage rather than leakage. Seepage generally has minimal impact on the vehicle.