How do I determine what kinda leak I have?

BMWUltimateDriv3r · 01-04-2013, 09:37 AM

It's in the front passenger side and I can't really tell what color because it leaks into the concrete floor.

GarySL · 01-04-2013, 10:20 AM

Are you holding washer fluid? Park over a broad cookie sheet or tin foil & try to collect the drips.

My headlight washer line busted & leaked where you are describing. g/l

Turb0Surge · 01-04-2013, 10:23 AM

Touch it. Smell it. Feel the texture. Taste it. (just kidding on the last one)

Oil will be slippery and smell like oil. Coolant will be more water-y and also slippery but not as slippery as the oil. Washer fluid is closest to water out of the 3. Kinda hard to explain over the internet.

cuiter23 · 01-04-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarySL

Are you holding washer fluid? Park over a broad cookie sheet or tin foil & try to collect the drips.

My headlight washer line busted & leaked where you are describing. g/l

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

Touch it. Smell it. Feel the texture. Taste it. (just kidding on the last one)

Oil will be slippery and smell like oil. Coolant will be more water-y and also slippery but not as slippery as the oil. Washer fluid is closest to water out of the 3. Kinda hard to explain over the internet.

These are the best methods to tell which type of leak you have. Grab a bucket and let it drip. Once you have that figured out, you will have to find where it is coming from.

Blackhawk36 · 01-04-2013, 11:47 AM

Put a piece of white paper under it. You can tell the color then.

GoRomeo · 01-04-2013, 11:56 AM

Most likely valve cover gasket. I know ive had a very small leak for years. It doesnt even get to leak all the way down concrete. If it wasnt for the bottom plastic cover, my garage would be a a bit of a mess. I can see the oil over plastic cover from looking down the front passenger side. Dealer wanted to charge me 800 dlls to fix it. thanks but no thanks!!

BOBKUR · 01-04-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWUltimateDriv3r

It's in the front passenger side and I can't really tell what color because it leaks into the concrete floor.

If it is an oil leak you would be able to smell it.

135Pats · 01-04-2013, 12:39 PM

I'm betting on a washer fluid leak, mine has a sleight drip and when the fluid is topped off, it leaks a little bit in the same location you described. BMW OE fluid is a light blue color, not at all slimy or oily, and no particular smell. It really doesn't bother me, but i'll have it looked at next time im at the dealership.

BMWUltimateDriv3r · 01-04-2013, 05:09 PM

Well this is weird.

It stopped leaking.

Which means it either stopped on its own (how does that happen) or it just ran out of whatever fluid was leaking, but my car doesn't warn me on the dashboard?

VMRWheels · 01-04-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWUltimateDriv3r

Well this is weird.

It stopped leaking.

Which means it either stopped on its own (how does that happen) or it just ran out of whatever fluid was leaking, but my car doesn't warn me on the dashboard?

I'm starting to think it's AC water.

Turb0Surge · 01-04-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

I'm starting to think it's AC water.

+1 probably not a leak at all.

///M3NACE · 01-04-2013, 05:37 PM

You guys do understand hes in NY and the temps are 10-30s over there...AC leak? I mean I highly doubt he will put the AC on.

My bet is either a oil leak or washer fluid like many said. Best thing is to put some cooking trays underneath and find out. (you can get like 3 for 1.00) Its easy to tell coolant washer fluid and oil. Washer fluid will be blue or orange depending which one you used. Coolant will be green or blue depending which you used and it will be a very hint of blue not like washer fluid. Oil will be brownish and sludgy. People do taste it lol

Amini77 · 01-04-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Most likely valve cover gasket. I know ive had a very small leak for years. It doesnt even get to leak all the way down concrete. If it wasnt for the bottom plastic cover, my garage would be a a bit of a mess. I can see the oil over plastic cover from looking down the front passenger side. Dealer wanted to charge me 800 dlls to fix it. thanks but no thanks!!

+1, that's the only leak I've had knock on wood and it's common with our cars. You'll also notice smoke as it starts to leak more. Look at your headers..do you see burnt oil on them? If so, then it's definitely that.

Bartman619 · 01-04-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

You guys do understand hes in NY and the temps are 10-30s over there...AC leak? I mean I highly doubt he will put the AC on.

My bet is either a oil leak or washer fluid like many said. Best thing is to put some cooking trays underneath and find out. (you can get like 3 for 1.00) Its easy to tell coolant washer fluid and oil. Washer fluid will be blue or orange depending which one you used. Coolant will be green or blue depending which you used and it will be a very hint of blue not like washer fluid. Oil will be brownish and sludgy. People do taste it lol

...I noticed that when you turn on the Defroster the A/C also turns on to Dehumidify the air. I usually turn the A/C off when it does.

BMWUltimateDriv3r · 01-04-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartman619

...I noticed that when you turn on the Defroster the A/C also turns on to Dehumidify the air. I usually turn the A/C off when it does.

My A/C doesn't turn on with the defroster.

Snyperx · 02-01-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWUltimateDriv3r

My A/C doesn't turn on with the defroster.

Mine A/C turns on when I hit the Auto button. As someone stated above I turn it off right away.

01-04-2013, 09:37 AM	#1
BMWUltimateDriv3r First Lieutenant 82 Rep 324 Posts Drives: '08 328xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	How do I determine what kinda leak I have? It's in the front passenger side and I can't really tell what color because it leaks into the concrete floor.
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01-04-2013, 10:20 AM	#2
GarySL Lieutenant 1461 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2006 Carrera 4S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Humboldt Co., CA iTrader: (0)	Are you holding washer fluid? Park over a broad cookie sheet or tin foil & try to collect the drips. My headlight washer line busted & leaked where you are describing. g/l __________________ '08 335xi (E90), 6MT, Arctic/Black, ZPP, ZSP (18"s), ZCW, CA, PDC, i-Pod Ordered-March 7, 2008, Shipped via Graceful Leader-March 21, 2008, Arrived Port Hueneme-April 11, 2008, Delivered-April 21, 2008
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01-04-2013, 10:23 AM	#3
Turb0Surge Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: BLACK e90 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lincoln, CA iTrader: (0)	Touch it. Smell it. Feel the texture. Taste it. (just kidding on the last one) Oil will be slippery and smell like oil. Coolant will be more water-y and also slippery but not as slippery as the oil. Washer fluid is closest to water out of the 3. Kinda hard to explain over the internet. __________________
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01-04-2013, 11:47 AM	#5
Blackhawk36 Captain 30 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Put a piece of white paper under it. You can tell the color then.
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01-04-2013, 11:56 AM	#6
GoRomeo Brigadier General 937 Rep 3,827 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Most likely valve cover gasket. I know ive had a very small leak for years. It doesnt even get to leak all the way down concrete. If it wasnt for the bottom plastic cover, my garage would be a a bit of a mess. I can see the oil over plastic cover from looking down the front passenger side. Dealer wanted to charge me 800 dlls to fix it. thanks but no thanks!!
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01-04-2013, 12:39 PM	#8
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	I'm betting on a washer fluid leak, mine has a sleight drip and when the fluid is topped off, it leaks a little bit in the same location you described. BMW OE fluid is a light blue color, not at all slimy or oily, and no particular smell. It really doesn't bother me, but i'll have it looked at next time im at the dealership. __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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01-04-2013, 05:09 PM	#9
BMWUltimateDriv3r First Lieutenant 82 Rep 324 Posts Drives: '08 328xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Well this is weird. It stopped leaking. Which means it either stopped on its own (how does that happen) or it just ran out of whatever fluid was leaking, but my car doesn't warn me on the dashboard?
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01-04-2013, 05:37 PM	#12
///M3NACE Banned 168 Rep 3,900 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E36 Vert , E90 N52 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downers Grove, IL iTrader: (5)	You guys do understand hes in NY and the temps are 10-30s over there...AC leak? I mean I highly doubt he will put the AC on. My bet is either a oil leak or washer fluid like many said. Best thing is to put some cooking trays underneath and find out. (you can get like 3 for 1.00) Its easy to tell coolant washer fluid and oil. Washer fluid will be blue or orange depending which one you used. Coolant will be green or blue depending which you used and it will be a very hint of blue not like washer fluid. Oil will be brownish and sludgy. People do taste it lol
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