oh no... something's leaking? :?

[z4-07]

hi there fellas! have been a lurker on this forum for a while now and wanted to thank you'all for all the great content and knowledge! have owned my 2007 Z4 for a couple of years and recently I started to get a light burning smell intermittently.

Did some googling and am guessing there's a leak somewhere?

I'm not mechanically talented so wanted to get your opinion before I head over to the mechanic

A couple of pics under the hood...







Is it possible to tell what's likely to be wrong (and how much is it likely to cost?)

Appreciate your help in advance!

[Jollyjoiner]

Looks like rocker gasket to me.

Mine cost me just over £40 for one from my main dealer, then my mate fitted it for me in his local garage. Can't remember how much he charged me though but it wasn't too bad

[Chris_D]

+1 looks like cam cover gasket.
easy DIY if u get clued up on whats required...
did mine without prior knowledge or experience. all ok now...

[Marlon]

Welcome.
+2 for the rocker gasket

[Beedub]

really nice easy DIY, you'll enjoy this.... clean it up to perfection and save yourself some decent money from a garage doing this.

[csquire4]

There a few online videos for this, just make sure you buy a quality replacement part.

About an hours work for a good mechanic.

[z4-07]

thanks for the super fast replies guys! really appreciate them. How long do you reckon I have before something bad happens? am getting married next month so lots of expenses

[Chris_D]

You won't experience a catastrophic failure of any sort but it will get progressively worse the longer you leave it. Especially the burning smell.
Its a 30-60 minute job for an experienced mechanic but i did mine in a couple of hours going slow and steady, albeit on an M54 engine. Parts are cheap but you will need to replace the bolts and grommets as well as the gasket.
I'm assuming N54 is similar (chaps ?) procedure but if you diy make sure you remove all the old baked-on bit of gasket that might get left behind on the mating surfaces and then clean those surfaces meticulously before applying rtv to the corners before offering up the gasket.
Have a butchers' on youtube for how-to vids as that's how i built the confidence, as well as encouragement from here, on how to tackle mine.
Good luck

[srhutch]

You won't experience a catastrophic failure of any sort but it will get progressively worse the longer you leave it. Especially the burning smell.
Its a 30-60 minute job for an experienced mechanic but i did mine in a couple of hours going slow and steady, albeit on an M54 engine. Parts are cheap but you will need to replace the bolts and grommets as well as the gasket.
I'm assuming N54 is similar (chaps ?) procedure but if you diy make sure you remove all the old baked-on bit of gasket that might get left behind on the mating surfaces and then clean those surfaces meticulously before applying rtv to the corners before offering up the gasket.
Have a butchers' on youtube for how-to vids as that's how i built the confidence, as well as encouragement from here, on how to tackle mine.
Good luck

Close, N52

[Chris_D]

You won't experience a catastrophic failure of any sort but it will get progressively worse the longer you leave it. Especially the burning smell.
Its a 30-60 minute job for an experienced mechanic but i did mine in a couple of hours going slow and steady, albeit on an M54 engine. Parts are cheap but you will need to replace the bolts and grommets as well as the gasket.
I'm assuming N54 is similar (chaps ?) procedure but if you diy make sure you remove all the old baked-on bit of gasket that might get left behind on the mating surfaces and then clean those surfaces meticulously before applying rtv to the corners before offering up the gasket.
Have a butchers' on youtube for how-to vids as that's how i built the confidence, as well as encouragement from here, on how to tackle mine.
Good luck

Close, N52

Lol oh yah. Well, 2 out isn't far off

[Lance]

thanks for the super fast replies guys! really appreciate them. How long do you reckon I have before something bad happens? am getting married next month so lots of expenses

Nothing bad will happen, however it will worsen. Mine started to weep a little a couple of years ago and over the winter I started to see a little smoke from under the bonnet where the oil was eventually making its way to the exhaust, it also stinks!

Once the longer term warmer weather arrives, it's first on the list to do. I reckon £50 ish and an hour or two with the spanners.

You tube Z4 rocker cover, which shows how easy a job it is.

Cheers