Drip...

ferrelscent

Active member
 South East London
When I park up a pool of fluid turns up on the floor under the Z4. It drips down about mid centre (from left to right) and about a foot back from the front wheels.

The fluid is clear, odourless, and has the consistency of water. It feels luke warm and has no corrosive effect when I stick my hand in it.

It's definately not oil or petrol, it's not dirty and there is no smell. It could be screenwash water but it seems too far back for that and the reservoir is full.

Could it be break fluid ?...I would have thought it would be a much nastier substance than this is.

My concern is whether to have it towed to a garage to be checked out or not,..just in case it is the break fluid thats draining out.

I know where the break fluid reserviour is but when I take the cap off there's a sort of micro filter cover in the way so I can't see in to see if its still full of fluid or not.

No tell tale lights have come on.

Any ideas ?
 
Hi woozzle. I just drove 250 miles all with aircon on...first noticed it about 100 miles in a service station,..and doing it now when I finally park up.

I just found another thread where someone had a similar problem and people diagnosed it the same as you so maybe that's it.

Is there any easy way to confirm that my break fluid level is up where it should be,...just to not have that doubt ?

Is break fluid clear and does it have the consistency of water ?
 
Wondermike said:
Definitely condensate from the air con :thumbsup:


Cheers Mike. But now I've started looking at the break fluid I've got worried !

I can't see where the fluid level is through the reservoir cos its sort of opaque...so how can I tell if there enough in it ?. Is it OK to remove that filter membrane thing and to have a look inside ?
 
I agree with the earlier replies. I am sure that it is condensation from the air conditioning. Nothing to worry about.

Before you open the brake fluid reservoir make sure that it is clean and that not a speck of dirt gets in when you remove the lid.
 
If it doesn't feel 'oily' then it's simply condensate from the condenser for the air-con or a leak from the washer bottle (position of drip/fluid should tell you which).

If it's clear & oily, then it's brake/clutch fluid.

If it's brown & oily, then it's gearbox/engine/diff oil (position of fluid should tell you which).

If it disappears too quickly to check, then it's fuel :P
 
You can open the brake reservoir no problem. Note that there are two compartments though, one for the clutch and one for the brakes.
 
Thanks folks. Am 95% sure its water that is dripping out. Have checked break fluid and thats full up. Cheers.
 
ferrelscent said:
Hi woozzle. I just drove 250 miles all with aircon on...first noticed it about 100 miles in a service station,..and doing it now when I finally park up.

I just found another thread where someone had a similar problem and people diagnosed it the same as you so maybe that's it.

Is there any easy way to confirm that my break fluid level is up where it should be,...just to not have that doubt ?

Is break fluid clear and does it have the consistency of water ?
hi. drive around with the air-con off for a while and see if it stops dripping. :thumbsup:
 
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