BMW car with oil leak

[nogoodnamesleft]

Tell FB Junior the important truth that there is always another car.

Maybe a quick online search of whatever 2nd hand car advertiser is best for covering the local area so not only "there is always another car" but "look, this one advertised is better"? But a lot depends on the individual and the reasons they love the car leaking oil.

 

[toffee]

Yes, cam cover is a common issue but from my observation this appears to be OK.

Attached is a picture taken by thrusting my phone into a crevasse with the video running. It is, I believe, the head-to-block interface. Whether the oil is emerging from here or just tracking here I can’t tell. I am borrowing an endoscope camera later today for a more detailed inspection.

What’s the situation regarding rejecting the car or returning it? I specifically asked about the oil leak reported on the MOT history and the sales guy said it had been “rectified”. I saw oil in the engine bay and he said they aren’t allowed to clean up the engine bay before sales so as not to make it look fresh for a potential buyer.

The car comes with a warranty but it’s one of those with a million clauses and exceptions. Oil leaks are covered but only if it requires the engine to be removed to fix.

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If your daughter has taken out finance on the car get the finance company involved. This includes if any part of it was paid by credit card. I am assuming that the car is less then £30k

 

[fossyant]

Unless the garage will guarantee a fix, get rid. It's a 1 series BMW, loads about.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Unless the garage will guarantee a fix, get rid. It's a 1 series BMW, loads about.

And extend the warranty or the right to refuse. Only used car I purchased for years had a fairly short warranty and for something like this oil leak would have ended by the time any fix was proven good. And right to return finished long ago.

Maybe investigating and trying might end up meaning purchaser has no choice but to keep and fix.

Edit (addition): ie clocks are running, counting down meaning options will probably become more limited.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

She may be in love with the car, but once the novelty wears off the oil leak will still be there, and will probably get worse.

If they won't repair it, reject the car.

 

[figbat]

Currently sitting in a cafe in Ruislip whilst the selling garage inspects the car. I absolutely agree about there being other cars out there. I feel sorry for my daughter and somewhat guilty that I let her buy this one, even though we did ask all the right questions and were either fobbed off or they genuinely didn’t realise.

Your first car is a big thing and she’s wanted a ‘nice’ car since she started driving. Thought this was the one, and look where we are. Other than the leak, it’s a nice car.

Fully aware of right to reject it though, and she’s only had it 6 days. The leak was apparent from the day we got it and, as I said, is mentioned a couple of times on the MOT history.

I fear it isn’t a quick fix. I also fear that Ms figbat will want it fixed rather than replaced, which will leave her without it for some time, just as she is starting to need to drive for job interviews and the like. But she won’t be told.

 

[wafter]

But she won’t be told.

In that case maybe the best outcome you can hope for a life-lesson in misplaced trust, heeding advice and letting one's heart rule one's head...

It will be interesting to see what the garage concludes (if this can be trusted); finger's crossed for a positive outcome

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I fear it isn’t a quick fix. I also fear that Ms figbat will want it fixed rather than replaced, which will leave her without it for some time,

Can you get dealer to extend your right to reject (in writing) if you allow them to fix and then need time to be confident it really is fixed. Dealer might be prepared to do that if the other option is to refund.

 

[figbat]

Can you get dealer to extend your right to reject (in writing) if you allow them to fix and then need time to be confident it really is fixed. Dealer might be prepared to do that if the other option is to refund.

Let’s see what they come up with today. We have the right to reject and we have a 3 month warranty. On the warranty, oil leaks are only covered for those that require the engine out to fix. Head gasket is separately covered though.

One way or another this can be resolved, either by repair or replacement. Could just do without it though and, as I say, it is spoiling her first car experience.

But as @wafter says, a life lesson being learnt.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

But as @wafter says, a life lesson being learnt.

And for your daughter too 🤭

My time will come in about a year. She's already counting the days...

 

[Alex321]

Other option is blast the area clean with engine degreaser then keep an eye on it, especially if its not been cleaned off before.

Don't touch it if taking it back to the seller, whether for repair or to reject it.

 

[figbat]

OK, so their mechanic appears to have identified the source of the leak - the timing chain cover on the back of the engine. He showed me with a mirror and it looked right to me. They’ve kept the car and sent us home in a courtesy car. The mechanic also said that in replacing this gasket he’ll get a look at the timing chain and if this is worn he’ll replace it too.

So far so genuine. Let’s see what happens when the car comes back.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

OK, so their mechanic appears to have identified the source of the leak - the timing chain cover on the back of the engine. He showed me with a mirror and it looked right to me. They’ve kept the car and sent us home in a courtesy car. The mechanic also said that in replacing this gasket he’ll get a look at the timing chain and if this is worn he’ll replace it too.

So far so genuine. Let’s see what happens when the car comes back.

All courtesy cars I've had (not that many) I've had to drive on my own insurance policy and that would only cover 3rd party. If your daughter is driving the courtesy car and as I think you said the BMW is her first car might her policy be more restrictive (younger driver trying to avoid the reported high premiums for the age group)?

Just a thought, particularly if it's a better courtesy car but none of my business and you're probably already aware ...

 

[figbat]

All courtesy cars I've had (not that many) I've had to drive on my own insurance policy and that would only cover 3rd party. If your daughter is driving the courtesy car and as I think you said the BMW is her first car might her policy be more restrictive (younger driver trying to avoid the reported high premiums for the age group)?

Just a thought, particularly if it's a better courtesy car but none of my business and you're probably already aware ...

Indeed. I drove it home as her insurance, despite being fully-comp cover, does not include cover for driving other cars and the garage’s insurance won’t cover <25 years old. Luckily we have another car at home she can drive in the mean time.

 

[Jameshow]

My first car was a pugeout 205 xs which leaked like fountain!🤣