Oil Leak...first time ever...need your input.

D

DanS

Member
Good Morning: I am storing my son's 2008 Z4. It has been sitting idle for about 3-4 weeks. There has never been any drips of any kind under it. This morning I took it out for a spin and noticed a large oil substance on the garage floor upon my return. It had the feel and smell of oil. I looked under the car and from what I can see it appears to be coming off the driveshaft just forward of where the exhaust pipes bend. I can't see under there very well, but it is the only wet area visible to me. Frankly, I don't know if it is the driveshaft or not. I am not mechanically inclined and 250 miles from a BMW dealership. So, I'm wondering what could be going on. I also did the electronic oil level and it said the oil level was OK, although the bar ended in the middle of the graph in the dash. Not sure that means it is down a 1/2 quart or what. Anyone have ideas for me? Thanks. Dan
 
DanS said:
Good Morning: I am storing my son's 2008 Z4. It has been sitting idle for about 3-4 weeks. There has never been any drips of any kind under it. This morning I took it out for a spin and noticed a large oil substance on the garage floor upon my return. It had the feel and smell of oil. I looked under the car and from what I can see it appears to be coming off the driveshaft just forward of where the exhaust pipes bend. I can't see under there very well, but it is the only wet area visible to me. Frankly, I don't know if it is the driveshaft or not. I am not mechanically inclined and 250 miles from a BMW dealership. So, I'm wondering what could be going on. I also did the electronic oil level and it said the oil level was OK, although the bar ended in the middle of the graph in the dash. Not sure that means it is down a 1/2 quart or what. Anyone have ideas for me? Thanks. Dan
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is it auto ? if so could it be transmission fluid ?
 
It is an automatic transmission. I guess I didn't pay that much attention as to whether black or not. It didn't appear red. It smelled like oil and rubbing it between my fingers it was slippery like oil. I now have it covered up with an absorbtion material. There was nothing in the dash telling me any fluids were low. The wet area underneath is in the area approxmately straight in at the location of the front of the doors.
 
Just found a drop behind car apparently dripping from when I pulled into the garage. The drop of oily substance was clear, but oily to the touch when rubbing between my fingers.
 
If its clear (clean) its either rear axle oil ......or brake fluid , but brake fluid doesnt feel slippery between your fingers like oil does
 
I had a leak from my auto box earlier in the year,the gearbox sump is made of plastic so can warp breaking the seal and then starts leaking, had the sump replaced with a modified one and had no problems since.

Hope you get it sorted what ever it is :thumbsup:
 
Thanks everyone for your assistance. If the auto transmission, do you suppose I would have an issue driving it 250 miles for service? I'm not sure if a warning light would come on or not. I guess I'll have to call the BMW dealership in the morning and see what they have to say. Again, thanks everyone. Best, Dan
 
DanS said:
Thanks everyone for your assistance. If the auto transmission, do you suppose I would have an issue driving it 250 miles for service? I'm not sure if a warning light would come on or not. I guess I'll have to call the BMW dealership in the morning and see what they have to say. Again, thanks everyone. Best, Dan
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the only issue is running the autobox with low oil = nasty garage bill .
no knowing it is that i just asked as i also had similar issue with a previous BMW autobox casing . this had split & when the car sits after use the oil drains back then leaks out . . . when you get the car on the ramp running no sign of oil as its being pumped round the box . took a a few weeks to trace the problem .
 
One last question...whatever the leak might be, do you think it likely to be covered under the BMW Pre-Owned Warranty?
 
DanS said:
One last question...whatever the leak might be, do you think it likely to be covered under the BMW Pre-Owned Warranty?
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if its under BMW warranty then i would expect the autobox casing to be covered . if its a cam cover or chain cover gasket then you may have to fight them ?
never had claim through used warranty so others may be more helpful with information
 
mr wilks said:
DanS said:
One last question...whatever the leak might be, do you think it likely to be covered under the BMW Pre-Owned Warranty?
Click to expand...

if its under BMW warranty then i would expect the autobox casing to be covered . if its a cam cover or chain cover gasket then you may have to fight them ?
never had claim through used warranty so others may be more helpful with information
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Thank you. Best, Dan
 
DanS said:
mr wilks said:
DanS said:
One last question...whatever the leak might be, do you think it likely to be covered under the BMW Pre-Owned Warranty?
Click to expand...

if its under BMW warranty then i would expect the autobox casing to be covered . if its a cam cover or chain cover gasket then you may have to fight them ?
never had claim through used warranty so others may be more helpful with information
Click to expand...


Thank you. Best, Dan
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as you are such a drive away why not place a tray under area & collect some oil , then try asking a local garage for advice ?
also oil on the floor can look like a huge amount yet in reality is only a few drips .
still wants sorting though & best of luck :thumbsup:
 
Okay. Put the tray underneath. It has now been about 4 hrs since I drove the car. There is no additional fluid that has leaked out. However, when placing the tray underneath the car, I could drops of fluid on the exhaust pipes. All this is going on in the area where the exhaust pipes bend just forward of the middle of the underside of the car.
 
the oil may well have been blown off or dripped onto the exhaust . keep an eye on the engine oil dipstick . the autobox has no warning to tell you it has low oil . bear in mind there is about 11/12 litres in there so if you collect whatever oil leaks out at least you can keep a measure.
you really need to contact the dealer to discuss options . taking it to a closer independent garage is not a good idea if the car is under warranty .
chances are if your oil level is good then a steady drive of 250 miles should be achievable but is obviously risky
 
mr wilks said:
the oil may well have been blown off or dripped onto the exhaust . keep an eye on the engine oil dipstick . the autobox has no warning to tell you it has low oil . bear in mind there is about 11/12 litres in there so if you collect whatever oil leaks out at least you can keep a measure.
you really need to contact the dealer to discuss options . taking it to a closer independent garage is not a good idea if the car is under warranty .
chances are if your oil level is good then a steady drive of 250 miles should be achievable but is obviously risky
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A call to the BMW dealer is the first thing on my agenda tomorrow. I will ask about ability to drive, etc. It is ready for its 32,000 mile check as well. It is what it is! I'll just have to deal with it. The car has been perfect until now. I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow. Again, thank you for taking the time to chat with me on this issue. Although not my car, it is a fun car to drive. I own a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport and both are fun in their own unique way. Best, Dan
 
The issue is resolved. It required a seal replacement on the transmission. I also had a recommended service update done and I had the brake fluid replaced. The seal replacement was done under warranty. I was told three times by the service manager that I had a very nice car. So, I felt good about that. The car is now in the garage for winter. Good thing I went Tuesday as we have had snow and ice since. Thanks to everyone who offered me their assistance. Best, Dan
 
DanS said:
The issue is resolved. It required a seal replacement on the transmission. I also had a recommended service update done and I had the brake fluid replaced. The seal replacement was done under warranty. I was told three times by the service manager that I had a very nice car. So, I felt good about that. The car is now in the garage for winter. Good thing I went Tuesday as we have had snow and ice since. Thanks to everyone who offered me their assistance. Best, Dan
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Pleased you got it sorted out ,sounds like you've got a good dealership there :thumbsup:
 
DanS said:
The issue is resolved. It required a seal replacement on the transmission. I also had a recommended service update done and I had the brake fluid replaced. The seal replacement was done under warranty. I was told three times by the service manager that I had a very nice car. So, I felt good about that. The car is now in the garage for winter. Good thing I went Tuesday as we have had snow and ice since. Thanks to everyone who offered me their assistance. Best, Dan
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glad it was nothing major & all sorted out for you :thumbsup:
 
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