Leak on driveway
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 239
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From: Columbus, Ohio
My Ride: 2007 Silver Grey 530 XI
Ok, I have noticed that sometimes over night I will have a small puddle under the front right side of the car. This appears to be a clear but oily fluid. I first began to search the forum (as always) and was initially thinking it was a tranny leak. Perhaps the mechatronics sleeve. Then this morning I briefly got the engine coolant level low warning at startup. Is it possible that the fluid is coolant from a leaking hose? I know the coolant resevoir is on the left side of the engine, but do wonder if the two are connected. ALso, wouldn't the coolant be less oily? I have had no tranny jerk at all. The car is running perfectly.
I know the obvious choice is to take to the dealer, but before I do I thought I'd try to troubleshoot first. Any help is appreciated!
I know the obvious choice is to take to the dealer, but before I do I thought I'd try to troubleshoot first. Any help is appreciated!
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ct
My Ride: 04' 545i, Sport Package, Black, Active Xenon, ARS, Aux Input
'10 Tahoe, Black on Black, leather, Nav/XM, 20" tires, full body kit, power 2nd row, loaded
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Oily... but what color??? You say clear... to my knowledge there is no clear fluid in the car.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Pearland, Texas
My Ride: 530I Silver gray with gray leather with Premium Package, Logic 7 Premium sound system with Ipod interface, xenon adaptive headlights, Active steering, Power retractable rear sunshade, Comfort seats, Cold weather package and M5 OEM 166 wheels, Sprintbooster. Ceramic Tint all around, Bilstein Sports shocks with Eibach springs, Brake performance Rotors and Axxis ceramic pads.
It could just be your AC draining. If your climate control is set at AUTO, your AC is still working even on cold weather. This is good since it dries the air inside so you won't have any musty smell in your car.
Members
Joined: May 2010
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From: New Hampshire
I had the similar leak in my car at right side front, it looked clear but oily, it turned out to be a coolant leak from thermostat and lower hose. I had it fixed and no more leaks. The cost was under $500 includes parts and labour from independent BMW shop.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Colorado USA
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
My first thought was power steering (hydraulic) fluid based on your description of the location. Simple to check the reservoir to see if low.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 82
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From: Michigan
Keep in mind that whatever fluid it is will pick up whatever is in it's way on it's way to the ground. So if you describe it as oily, it might just be minor oil residue that it picked up running down the side of the engine/transmission/etc.
Take a look at the belly pan of your car. That might help you pinpoint the source of the leak.
Take a look at the belly pan of your car. That might help you pinpoint the source of the leak.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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My Ride: 2004 545i Platinum Silver Metallic Gray Dakota Leather, Premium Pack, Premium Sound, Logic 7, Sport Pack, Navi, PDC, Sunshades, Cold Weather and HUD. 56k miles Feb. 2011
My car has the same problem. I got the coolant level low warning message too. I topped it off. I saw the wed stop on the ground with clear/brownish color. Dealer technician removed the bottom panel and saw the liquid dews at left & right bottom corners of the radiator. Any idea how much would it be to replace the radiator at an independent shop ?
Members
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 94
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From: Denver
My Ride: 2005 545i
Same here. I actually got out for $109 including labor. It was the thermostat that had gone bad - how that results in a coolant leak I don't know, but I looked around on this forum and Bimmerfest and found a few other people with the same story. I was shocked at how cheap the repair was. First time for everything...