Small Leak, near rear wheel arch

[Stuartlsaunders]

Hi all,

Completely new here so hi

I purchased an 05 Z4 2.2 SE Roadster in September last year. I wasn’t actually planning on buying one, but as soon as I got behind the wheel to drive it home for somebody else, I knew I had to have one and bought it straight off them!

I have had one or two minor issues, and just wondered if anybody can shed any light on this one.

The car was parked for 8 hours today at work, and when I returned, a small (about 7-9cm diameter) amount of black oily liquid was visible under the left hand side, just forward of the rear wheel arch. It hadn’t ‘pooled’ as such, more stained the concrete underneath. I checked under the car and could see that it was in fact coming from the car. I have attached pictures.

I have to admit, my knowledge of cars is very basic and the Z4 virtually non existent.

Do you guys have any ideas what it might be or where it may be coming from? The fluid is odourless so I’ve ruled out a fuel leak, but definitely oil based as it had not evaporated. Could it be brake fluid or gear box oil?

Any help gratefully received.

 

[Smartbear]

That could be leaking fluid from the roof motor/hydraulic ram, hard to be definitive but it’s a possibility
Rob

 

[parabolica]

That could be leaking fluid from the roof motor/hydraulic ram, hard to be definitive but it’s a possibility
Rob

I'd say that is a good shout; the pool is place right underneath where the drain pipe is for the roof motor well. If it's oily, it is almost certainly hydraulic oil.

 

[colb]

Yes, looks like its comming from the hood motor cavity drain, is your hood working, if it is slow or not working at all then that would support the diagnostic. The motor might be ok so the other possibility is leaking hydraulic pipes that run from the motor or worst case leaking hydraulic ram. If its the latter then hood will have to come off to repair replace the ram. If its the motor or pipes those can be removed without the roof comming off. There are members on here who offer motor relocation to the boot for under £100 if you are near one might be an idea to get them to move the motor to the boot as a start, doing that will allow visual check of the pipes and ram so you know for certain whats gone wrong.
Parts diagram here
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT32-EUR-07-2003-E85-BMW-Z4_25i&diagId=54_0313

DIY guide on this forum here
https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-roof-motor-relocation-to-boot.19256/