MickEs

Steve, Could be a good idea to go the Castrol website which has an oil selector for vehicle type or enter registration and then you will at least get the correct grade for that particular engine. Mick

George, Agreed hot oil does go a long way and looks worse than it really is. If there are no visible leaks from looking on top of the engine then it is most likely the oil filter housing where there are 2 seals that eventually go, common problem. Have done this job on my 316i Compact,not too bad a job if you are reasonably handy with the spanners

Then it is probably the M43 engine which is pretty much the same as my 318i which has the M40 engine but with main difference is it is chain driven thus being better and not having to change the cam belt every 3 years as I do. This engine is fitted to my 316i compact which is coming up to 130000 miles and again has no issues and is still 'tight', I did replace water pump,thermostat and plastic coolant pipes as these can fail after a long period but as far as the main engine is concerned it is all good as it had regular oil/filter changes. Hope this helps,Mick.

Hi, I have a 318i 1988 with 188,000 miles on it and it still runs very well and uses hardly any oil. As long as it has had regular oil changes, ie service history with it I can see no problem if the engine is reasonably quiet. What year is the car as this will determine what engine type it has as each engine has its own characteristic. Mick

Hi all, Both my light switch and fog light switch illuminating bulbs have blown and they are moulded peanut bulbs within a plastic housing ie one unit, and I cannot find a replacement anywhere and can't even find the part numbers on the online catalogue. I have bought one a long time ago from BMW (which I remember being expensive), but cannot find the part no now or where to buy some or a cheaper alternative. Has anyone had the same problem or can anyone help? Thanks, Mick.

Hi all, Both my light switch and fog light switch illuminating bulbs have blown and they are moulded peanut bulbs within a plastic housing ie one unit, and I cannot find a replacement anywhere and can't even find the part numbers on the online catalogue. I have bought one a long time ago from BMW (which I remember being expensive), but cannot find the part no now or where to buy some or a cheaper alternative. Has anyone had the same problem or can anyone help? Thanks, Mick.

Well thank god I have actually found it. It is the expansion tank that is tucked inside the right hand rear interior panel. There is one of 3 inlet/outlet pipes and one has fractured due to the constant movement of the bent flexi pipe. Have just ordered a new tank but have to wait as it is coming from Germany but have done a temporary repair and will secure the pipe so that it doesn't happen again. Thanks to all who have replied.

I could not reply to this before due to a broken link but have a look next time at carparts4less as they are the same company as Euro car parts but cheaper and also have a 5% discount over £100.

No, no wet spots. As I say no VISIBLE signs of a leak at all.

WELL, Fuel filler pipe fine as far as I can see. Still can not find the culprit, just hoping that it eventually rears its ugly head in more noticeable way. If anyone else knows or has any ideas they would be very gratefully received. Kind Regards, Mick

The smell is pure petrol vapour, however I have checked all of the following- Top of tank no leaks/smell Petrol cap/rubber in good condition No leaks in fuel line, tank or engine compartment. Also do not think it is the breather as I have no problems at all when filling up. Will check as soon as poss the filler pipe though as this seems to be a more liable suspect. Thanks guys for the welcome!

Thanks for the replies so far, Dennis this is on the e36.

Hi all. As a fairly new owner of a BMW e36 Compact and this site (although I own a 318i e30 and had for nearly 21 years and still going strong) I would like to ask anyone out there if they have had this problem. When I am driving along normally everything is fine, as soon as I open the passenger window slightly I get a fairly strong smell of petrol. I have looked all over in the engine department, underneath and inside and can find no signs of a leak and there is no smell at all when stationary or running at idle. Has anyone come across this at all? Would really like to sort it before we get some decent weather apart from the constant worry. Thanks all and look forward to using the site. Mick