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      04-09-2021, 08:41 AM   #1
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Rear Right Leak

Hi all,

I have a 2009 LCi 325d that is leaking on my drive. It’s not a fast leak but it’s definitely enough to leave a puddle! Can anyone help identify it from the below video. Thanks in advance! (Not sure how to embed the video).

https://youtube.com/shorts/1bcczBXSn5E?feature=share

Cheers
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      04-09-2021, 08:45 AM   #2
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What does it taste like?
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      04-09-2021, 01:16 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
What does it taste like?
Like unhelpful comments
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      04-09-2021, 01:39 PM   #4
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What color is the fluid? (soak some up using a white paper towel)

Have you noticed any lowering of the level in the brake fluid reservoir?

Off the top of my head, the only fluids in that area are (MAYBE) brake fluid, fuel, and shock absorbers, so try to see if you can narrow it down any further based on the color or smell.
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      04-09-2021, 01:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwalker87 View Post
What color is the fluid? (soak some up using a white paper towel)

Have you noticed any lowering of the level in the brake fluid reservoir?

Off the top of my head, the only fluids in that area are (MAYBE) brake fluid, fuel, and shock absorbers, so try to see if you can narrow it down any further based on the color or smell.
Looks dark brown, almost like oil?

The car seems level haven’t noticed anything nor have my mechanics mentioned anything (this leak has been here for a long while).

Brake fluid level is rock solid, doesn’t have a smell really and shocks are completely dry!

I’m stumped haha
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      04-09-2021, 02:52 PM   #6
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It's rusty water.
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      04-09-2021, 03:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
It's rusty water.
Lol.

Rusty water wouldn’t leave a damp patch on my drive that hasn’t dried in months would it, it’s deffo some sort of oil/fluid just want to know if anyone else has had this.
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      04-09-2021, 03:10 PM   #8
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Could be your shock. This happened on both of my rear shocks a few years ago, 2 months apart. I went in the garage and noticed fluid on the floor, looked like used engine oil. Ended up being broken shocks.
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      04-09-2021, 03:32 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972 View Post
Could be your shock. This happened on both of my rear shocks a few years ago, 2 months apart. I went in the garage and noticed fluid on the floor, looked like used engine oil. Ended up being broken shocks.
I’ll have a closer look tomorrow but I’m almost certain the shock body is dry. Where the wet patch is is quite a ways from the shock itself
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      04-09-2021, 05:54 PM   #10
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I imagine that those two lines are brake fluid and fuel. Am I the only one to notice the crack in the subframe?
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      04-10-2021, 01:54 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tcphoto View Post
I imagine that those two lines are brake fluid and fuel. Am I the only one to notice the crack in the subframe?
Yeah I’m thinking the same tbf. I’m gunna Jack the car up and investigate further when I get a chance!

As for the subframe yeah I did notice that around the hole? I’m pretty sure it’s a crack in the factory under seal where it’s about to flake off but will double check this aswell.
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      04-10-2021, 05:59 AM   #12
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Have you checked the level in the brake master cylinder. There is a lot of oil - if it was that, it should be lower. Very odd spot. Probably not gas, since this seems oily and you would get a strong smell of gas. Good luck tracking it down
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      04-10-2021, 08:23 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIetch View Post
Lol.

Rusty water wouldn’t leave a damp patch on my drive that hasn’t dried in months would it, it’s deffo some sort of oil/fluid just want to know if anyone else has had this.
No offense, TBH, your video pretty much sucks. I didn't see any "damp patch" on your driveway. All I saw was some wet dirt on the subframe mount.

All anyone is doing is guessing. To diagnose it you'll need to touch a sample of it to determine why type of liquid it is. Perhaps find a small plastic cup and place it under the area of the car where you think it is leaking from to capture some of the fluid. A simple inspection of the brake piping (hard line and hose) will show signs of brake fluid leaking. Same for the caliper, it can only leak from the bleed screw, piston seal, or where the brake hose threads in to the caliper.

The only other sources of liquid at the right rear are gasoline (where the filler hose comes down from the filler neck), the right rear shock (the oil would drip from the shock body out of the piston seal), and perhaps the battery if it has been leaking, or maybe over-charging and the acid is coming from the vent pipe that drains out from the battery box in the right rear.

I guess rusted water since you stated the brake fluid level is full and there is no oil on the shock absorber and because the rear subframe has a lot of rust on it (and probably inside it); the subframe seems to have cracks emanating from the production tooling holes.

I hope you find the source.
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      04-10-2021, 08:27 AM   #14
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This interminable series of speculations could have been answered in 2 seconds with a taste test.
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      04-10-2021, 08:33 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
This interminable series of speculations could have been answered in 2 seconds with a taste test.
I bet it'll taste like rusty water
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      04-16-2021, 11:26 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
No offense, TBH, your video pretty much sucks. I didn't see any "damp patch" on your driveway. All I saw was some wet dirt on the subframe mount.

All anyone is doing is guessing. To diagnose it you'll need to touch a sample of it to determine why type of liquid it is. Perhaps find a small plastic cup and place it under the area of the car where you think it is leaking from to capture some of the fluid. A simple inspection of the brake piping (hard line and hose) will show signs of brake fluid leaking. Same for the caliper, it can only leak from the bleed screw, piston seal, or where the brake hose threads in to the caliper.

The only other sources of liquid at the right rear are gasoline (where the filler hose comes down from the filler neck), the right rear shock (the oil would drip from the shock body out of the piston seal), and perhaps the battery if it has been leaking, or maybe over-charging and the acid is coming from the vent pipe that drains out from the battery box in the right rear.

I guess rusted water since you stated the brake fluid level is full and there is no oil on the shock absorber and because the rear subframe has a lot of rust on it (and probably inside it); the subframe seems to have cracks emanating from the production tooling holes.

I hope you find the source.
Why do you need to see the damp patch?? Do think I'm lying?? haha. Daft lad. The video shows the location of the drip, thats all it needed.

Thanks for the rest of the helpful stuff.

Once again, it isn't rusty water That wouldn't leave a patch on my drive for months on end would it.
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      04-16-2021, 11:36 AM   #17
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Okay all, thanks for the helpful info so far. Here's is an update.

I checked under the car again and gave everything a clean. For everyone concerned about the cracked subframe. As I stated in a previous comment it is not cracked. Here in the UK the cars are undersealed from factory. This underseal cracks over time and water, grit and salt get in underneath. Hence the surface rust. I brushed away all the loose underseal and sprayed the area with rust converter, primer and finally some black paint.


I cleaned up the wet area and went back to find a clearish oily feeling liquid with little to no smell. If anything it smelt a little oily but thats it. No diesel.

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Once again, the brake fluid in the reservoir isn't and never has budged. Still confused haha. Will get the mechanics to check next time it's in.

I was hoping someone would see this and immediately know the answer but clearly I was wrong! Any way thanks to all who have been constructive so far! It's much appreciated.
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      04-16-2021, 12:21 PM   #18
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What does it taste like though?
  1. A little tangy
  2. Kinda sour
  3. Pretty good
  4. Other
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      04-16-2021, 01:23 PM   #19
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it appears to be leaking from the grommet that seals the body.

look inside for your leak.

like where the battery lives.
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      04-16-2021, 01:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nsjames View Post
it appears to be leaking from the grommet that seals the body.

look inside for your leak.

like where the battery lives.
Honestly, with the amount of rain where OP lives, I figure it’s trapped water of some sort too... I thought maybe trapped between the undercoat and metal, but your suggestion sounds far more likely.

OP: Has this happened even during very dry periods?
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      04-16-2021, 08:08 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIetch View Post
Why do you need to see the damp patch?? Do think I'm lying?? haha. Daft lad. The video shows the location of the drip, thats all it needed.

Thanks for the rest of the helpful stuff.

Once again, it isn't rusty water That wouldn't leave a patch on my drive for months on end would it.
Daft huh? Call me when your car gets anywhere near the mileages any of my BMWs have.

LFOL.

Last edited by Efthreeoh; 04-16-2021 at 08:17 PM..
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      04-27-2021, 05:42 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90yyc View Post
Honestly, with the amount of rain where OP lives, I figure it’s trapped water of some sort too... I thought maybe trapped between the undercoat and metal, but your suggestion sounds far more likely.

OP: Has this happened even during very dry periods?
Yes come rain or shine the driveway patch and leak remains.

It’s not water.
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