Oceanside Auto Repair

In most cases, valve covers look great from first glance. However, as we take a closer look at the condition of a valve cover, we can typically see imperfections in the cover itself. Unfortunately,  this can negatively affect how the valve cover seals on the top of our engine. In this video we took a look at a 1994 BMW E36 325is that was leaking oil from the valve cover gasket due to a failing valve cover   Valve Cover & Gasket Issues As time progresses, a valve cover and the valve cover gasket take on a ton of abuse, because they have to deal with extreme temperatures nearly every time your car is driven. A valve cover gasket can begin to break down and leak oil onto your engine. Additionally, a valve cover can become warped and result in an uneven mating surface, causing oil to leak out of the valve cover gasket and down the side of your engine. This can sometimes be easily fixed by just replacing the valve cover gasket. However, if the valve cover is not replaced ... read more

BMW E60 repair and maintenance on the  are very common for us to see in our shop. Whether it be for brake repair, oil leaks, or severe engine problems, we can fix it all! The BMW E60 was the designated title given to the 5-series that was produced by BMW from 2003-2010. The E60 was the name given for the 5-series sedan models, and the E61 was the title given for the wagon version of the same platform. In 2005 BMW introduced the E60 M5 model. Over time we have found a few common issues associated with the BMW E60 models. Oil Leak on a BMW E60 The BMW E60 is known to suffer from common oil leaks. The areas that we see oil leaks on these BMWs are the oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and the oil filter housing. Thrust Arm Bushings on BMW E60 Failed front thrust arm bushings are common on the BMW E60 and replacing these can make a huge difference on heavier cars like these. When we replace front thrust arm bushings, we install solid rubber that usually lasts longer than the OEM ... read more

The BMW F80 M3 was manufactured between 2014-2018 which featured an S55 twin-turbocharged straight-6 configuration engine, with 425 horsepower. With all that power and fun, comes more stress on other parts of your car. One common area of failure that we routinely encounter is the rear differential mounts.   Rear Differential Mounts Problem The factory setup on the F80 M3 consists of a single, offset rear differential bushing and mount that holds the differential to the rear subframe. The OEM factory mount is a rubber bushing that contains fluid on the inside. Over time, these rubber mounts will begin to crack. Once cracking has begun, it can spread throughout the mount and result in more serious problems. We have seen failure in these F80 M3 rear differential mounts typically in the 30,000 – 50,000-mile range. The Best Solution The best solution that we have found to cure this common problem of rear differential mount failure is with ... read more

“A question we often hear being asked is “Why is my BMW smoking?” Unfortunately, there is usually not a clear answer off of the start and it’s something that may require a closer look. A BMW may smoke for many reasons, be various colors, and come from different areas of your car. If your car is smoking, it could be either internally or externally. If you have an internal leak, the valve stem seals may be the culprit or a possible head gasket malfunction is present. We have also had a few situations where a bad crankcase vent valve has caused a BMW to release a lot of smoke. An external oil leak could consist of something like a bad valve cover gasket which could allow oil to drip down onto your hot exhaust and then burn off, which would result in a bit of smoke. If you have a turbocharged engine, the turbocharger may be collecting engin ... read more

BMW Thrust Arm Bushings are responsible for dampening most of the back-and-forth movement of the front wheels of your BMW and provide stability when braking. When they wear out, they can make clunking sounds as you hit the brakes and can also cause a vibration. The bushings contain oil-filled rubber mounts that over time can weaken and crack, resulting in a sloppy quality or steering wheel vibration while going over bumps. If you’re curious whether your Thrust Arm Bushings are bad, have someone stand outside of the car (at a safe distance) and hit the brakes to decelerate. When thrust arm bushings go bad, you can visibly see that the wheel will move forward or backward instead of remaining stable while coming to a stop