The beloved red SE was reported sick a week ago. Seemed a bit rough she said.
Opening the hood confirmed an engine rocking away at idle. Otherwise seemed normal. Could not confirm any MPG change
Got the car for a few hours. What I found:
Drives fine, accelerates smoothly.

Has whistle from the rear of the engine when you open the throttle suddenly. Sounds like an air leak. took off the flame trap and hoses, all look fine.

Oil is pushing out the oil cap. Hard to say if it bounces around per the "bouncing cap " test, as the whole engine is rocking so much.

A stream of oily smoke comes out the vacuum hose from the flame trap. Strange.

Vacuum gauge test reveals nothing, vibrates between 18-19 mmHG, same as my 93 240.

Pulled plugs. 1,2 & 3 very sooty...#4 looks normal!

May be a gasket leak around the #4 intake? But why the oily smoke and seemingly high crankcase pressure?

What do all think?

--
84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 90 745 AW70, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47