Slight yellow leak from engine area

[zedx21]

Hey guys,

Just had some maintenance work done at bmw and following their health check of the car they found a slight leak from the engine area. I've attached a photo.

I was only there last week having my brakes replaced and brake fluid change and all was ok. A week later they spot this.

Any suggestions as to what it may be? They wouldn't give me any suggestions or diagnose the problem annoyingly.

Thanks

 

[vester86]

yellow = petrol or brake fluid.
sinds you changed the last one of the 2, i highly suspect it is some brake fluid...

 

[zedx21]

Thank you for your quick response.....

 

[vester86]

i cannot see where you have taken this picture, is it near the transmission tunnel?? if so, maybe it's clutch fluid from the slave cilinder (it uses the same brake fluid, but in the clutch system)

 

[zedx21]

went to an independent today.....turns out there is a leak coming from the engine. Leak in the gasket and the breather system needs replacing I've been told. Apparently its a common fault that over time the breather system gets blocked up. System gets pressurised which then has caused the leak....

They've recommended replacing the cam cover, breather hose and an oil change!! not what I was expecting as the quote was pretty hefty!

Anyone had such issues before???

 

[Kamuela]

I'd expect leakage from the breather system to be either black and oily, or creamy/foamy oil/water emulsion; not thin and yellow. Or is this yet another leak? And why the cam cover, not just the gasket? Sounds dodgy.

 

[zedx21]

BMW had a look from under the car. You could well be right there could be two leaks. It was found from a standard vehicle health check they carry out without any further diagnosis.

I took it to an independent specialist earlier today for their opinion - they had a look from above, and diagnosed a leak from the engine/gasket. I showed them the picture from BMW and they're suggesting its from the gasket. Which didn't really add up as its a yellow/greeny colour in the photo.

They've advised the cam cover be replaced as it includes both the breather system and the gasket. As the pressure has increased inside the breather system they've advised to replace it. Hence killing two birds with one stone in replacing the Cam cover.

I've attached some more photos from under the hood.

All opinions welcome....!