Leak by drivers wheel well?

bloodline129 · 07-24-2021, 07:04 PM

I noticed a leak under my ride the other day. At first I thought it was oil but it didn't smell like it.

After moving the wheel I realized that the leak was getting worse at full lock, that lead me to think it's power steering fluid? But I was under assumption we have electronic steering?

I surely can't find a power steering fluid reservoir… any suggestions on what it could be?

Also now few days later I've tried to see if it's still leaking and I can't find anything…

https://youtube.com/shorts/Tjec8q2PAZ8?feature=share

Billfitz · 07-24-2021, 10:02 PM

It looks like oil. You can't go by the smell, synthetic lubricants don't smell like mineral oil. It's not power steering fluid, the car doesn't use it.

bloodline129 · 07-25-2021, 02:13 AM

I thought so to, but the "oil" that dripped there didn't match the oil from the oil cap. It was darker and as mentioned it also smelled different.

There's gotta be some type or lubricant running to power steering no? I'm taking it to the dealer on Tuesday as I still got extended warranty left. Keep you posted

AlmondJayRoM3 · 07-25-2021, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodline129

I thought so to, but the "oil" that dripped there didn't match the oil from the oil cap. It was darker and as mentioned it also smelled different.

There's gotta be some type or lubricant running to power steering no? I'm taking it to the dealer on Tuesday as I still got extended warranty left. Keep you posted

Only lubricant used for the EPS unit is grease.

njdangelo · 07-25-2021, 08:05 AM

Could be the fluid from the hydro bushing on the upper control arm. That's what mine was. Took me forever to find it because I thought it was a fluid leak too. It'll look like this:
[IMG][/IMG]

bloodline129 · 07-25-2021, 06:08 PM

Thank you for the input all. Dropping it of on Tuesday.
Of course this is all happening while I need to move… good times.

WDE82 · 07-25-2021, 10:05 PM

That's about as dark as motor oil and that's a pretty bad leak. Definitely worth taking it in if you don't have time to look yourself. I would expect ATF or gear oil to be a little lighter.

bloodline129 · 07-25-2021, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE82

That's about as dark as motor oil and that's a pretty bad leak. Definitely worth taking it in if you don't have time to look yourself. I would expect ATF or gear oil to be a little lighter.

I thought the same thing. But the color doesn't match what's in my engine. It's darker than my oil (to a naked eye)

Not to mention it's not leaking anymore. So I think the gentleman who mention the hybrid bushing may be right. It all leaked out and now it doesn't drip anymore?

I guess let's see what the dealer says on Tuesday

WDE82 · 07-25-2021, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodline129

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE82

That's about as dark as motor oil and that's a pretty bad leak. Definitely worth taking it in if you don't have time to look yourself. I would expect ATF or gear oil to be a little lighter.

I thought the same thing. But the color doesn't match what's in my engine. It's darker than my oil (to a naked eye)

Not to mention it's not leaking anymore. So I think the gentleman who mention the hybrid bushing may be right. It all leaked out and now it doesn't drip anymore?

I guess let's see what the dealer says on Tuesday

Are you comparing to oil direct from your engine or the bottle? Oil goes dark quickly so it will not match what's in the bottle for very long.

bloodline129 · 07-26-2021, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE82

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodline129

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE82

That's about as dark as motor oil and that's a pretty bad leak. Definitely worth taking it in if you don't have time to look yourself. I would expect ATF or gear oil to be a little lighter.

I thought the same thing. But the color doesn't match what's in my engine. It's darker than my oil (to a naked eye)

Not to mention it's not leaking anymore. So I think the gentleman who mention the hybrid bushing may be right. It all leaked out and now it doesn't drip anymore?

I guess let's see what the dealer says on Tuesday

Are you comparing to oil direct from your engine or the bottle? Oil goes dark quickly so it will not match what's in the bottle for very long.

Oil cap from top of engine (since we don't have a dipstick &#129402

bloodline129 · 07-27-2021, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njdangelo

Could be the fluid from the hydro bushing on the upper control arm. That's what mine was. Took me forever to find it because I thought it was a fluid leak too. It'll look like this:
[IMG][/IMG]

This was it. Hydro bushings on the control arm / they are replacing both of them - that tells me the other side went already long ago and I didn't know. Or they doing what is right and replacing both at the same time.

As it's through extended warranty, I believe it's the prior lol.

Thank you everyone.

njdangelo · 07-27-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodline129

Quote:

Originally Posted by njdangelo

Could be the fluid from the hydro bushing on the upper control arm. That's what mine was. Took me forever to find it because I thought it was a fluid leak too. It'll look like this:
[IMG][/IMG]

This was it. Hydro bushings on the control arm / they are replacing both of them - that tells me the other side went already long ago and I didn't know. Or they doing what is right and replacing both at the same time.

As it's through extended warranty, I believe it's the prior lol.

Thank you everyone.

You'll be amazed how much tighter your car is going to feel when you get it back. It's fantastic. Glad it got sorted and that they are replacing both.

bloodline129 · 07-27-2021, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njdangelo

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodline129

Quote:

Originally Posted by njdangelo

Could be the fluid from the hydro bushing on the upper control arm. That's what mine was. Took me forever to find it because I thought it was a fluid leak too. It'll look like this:
[IMG][/IMG]

This was it. Hydro bushings on the control arm / they are replacing both of them - that tells me the other side went already long ago and I didn't know. Or they doing what is right and replacing both at the same time.

As it's through extended warranty, I believe it's the prior lol.

Thank you everyone.

You'll be amazed how much tighter your car is going to feel when you get it back. It's fantastic. Glad it got sorted and that they are replacing both.

Since I got the car my commute has been 12km combined from work n back. Can't say I noticed anything to be honest.

If I didn't catch that leak I would have never known I'm pretty sure.
Especially is the passenger side was already done for when I got the car and I just wasn't aware.

I'm excited to see it tomorrow now 💪🏻

07-24-2021, 07:04 PM	#1
bloodline129 Second Lieutenant 97 Rep 259 Posts Drives: BMW 435i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (0)	Leak by drivers wheel well? I noticed a leak under my ride the other day. At first I thought it was oil but it didn't smell like it. After moving the wheel I realized that the leak was getting worse at full lock, that lead me to think it's power steering fluid? But I was under assumption we have electronic steering? I surely can't find a power steering fluid reservoir… any suggestions on what it could be? Also now few days later I've tried to see if it's still leaking and I can't find anything… https://youtube.com/shorts/Tjec8q2PAZ8?feature=share
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07-24-2021, 10:02 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	It looks like oil. You can't go by the smell, synthetic lubricants don't smell like mineral oil. It's not power steering fluid, the car doesn't use it.
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07-25-2021, 02:13 AM	#3
bloodline129 Second Lieutenant 97 Rep 259 Posts Drives: BMW 435i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (0)	I thought so to, but the "oil" that dripped there didn't match the oil from the oil cap. It was darker and as mentioned it also smelled different. There's gotta be some type or lubricant running to power steering no? I'm taking it to the dealer on Tuesday as I still got extended warranty left. Keep you posted
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07-25-2021, 08:05 AM	#5
njdangelo Captain 436 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 2019 x5 50i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	Could be the fluid from the hydro bushing on the upper control arm. That's what mine was. Took me forever to find it because I thought it was a fluid leak too. It'll look like this: [IMG][/IMG] Attached Images __________________ 2019 x5 50i - current 2016 340i THP stage 2 - gone but not forgotten.
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07-25-2021, 06:08 PM	#6
bloodline129 Second Lieutenant 97 Rep 259 Posts Drives: BMW 435i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the input all. Dropping it of on Tuesday. Of course this is all happening while I need to move… good times.
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07-25-2021, 10:05 PM	#7
WDE82 Major 815 Rep 1,199 Posts Drives: 2018 440iGC F36 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	That's about as dark as motor oil and that's a pretty bad leak. Definitely worth taking it in if you don't have time to look yourself. I would expect ATF or gear oil to be a little lighter. __________________
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