Mysterious fluid leak

simont · 03-23-2011, 03:45 AM

I notice that a stain has developed on the car park floor directly underneath the driver side headlight, and it has increased over Monday night, where the fluid seems to be water, could be either coolant or washer fluid (not oil), and it seems to be dripping from the point where the front bumper meet the rubber flap in front of the front wheel.

The floor remain wet yesterday and from the size of the stain, the amount of leakage was approximately 300 ml. This morning I inpect the floor again and the leak seems to have mysteriously stopped (or at least greatly reduced) with a much smaller stain.

I started the car and there is no error messages. The car was worked on by the dealer last week before (oil / brake fluid / spark plugs / air / pollen filter / injector change).

I wonder why the leak has stopped by itself? Is it worth calling BMW emergency service to take a look and make sure everything its ok before driving the car (as advised by the dealer) despite the fact that leak is reducing?

DavS1 · 03-23-2011, 01:30 PM

It could be water coming from the aircon?

josh laurence · 03-23-2011, 01:40 PM

Could be your light washer unit/hose leaking? Had this on mine , i just disconected the hose and bloked it up, no leak ( but the washers dont work now)

fastloop · 03-23-2011, 02:06 PM

You probably need to take the undertray off to see where the leak is coming from as it's just dripping down on the tray and leaks from the lowest point. So it could be anything from coolant leaking from the expansion tank, radiator, turbo's or screen wash. It will be limited what the BMW assist guy can do short of using a mirror on a stick. You need a lift or a set of ramps to get access to the tray and have a good look.

I would recommend that you keep an eye on your coolant level as you don't want this to run low.

rich1068 · 03-23-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavS1

It could be water coming from the aircon?

My money is on this.

m1bjr · 03-23-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

My money is on this.

Nah, its too far forward.

If your washer is really full and leaking a little, it will be worse with a hot engine bay.
If I top off my washer bottle I can hear it running into the exact area in the wing that is mentioned by the OP.
And I get a puddle right by the front wheel air dam.

Never looked into it, maybe a small split or just an overflow of some kind.

Empty the reservoir and fill up with neat bright yellow or blue stuff and pop a white rag on the floor

ASR1 · 03-23-2011, 06:31 PM

I had the same problem, leaking headlight washer telescopes. Got them replaced under warranty.

JonnySi · 03-24-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

My money is on this.

That drain is in the transmission tunnel! It is definately coming from the headlight wash telescope.

xenon · 03-24-2011, 02:48 AM

+1 for washer fluid. The leak has apparently stopped because the level has probably fallen below the leak point.

Alpina_B3_Lux · 03-24-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnySi

That drain is in the transmission tunnel! It is definately coming from the headlight wash telescope.

+1 That's a well-known problem. I had that on my E46 as well and had to replace both of those.

Alpina_B3_Lux

simont · 03-24-2011, 02:29 PM

Thanks guys for the feedback. The stain has virtually disappeared by last night but for safety sake I call the BMW emergency service who came this afternoon and confirmed that it's not oil nor coolant (as they would not evapourate and coolant level was correct), and it's likely to be water but ruled out the aircon condensation due to the location of the puddle/stain.

He suspects that the leak was the residual water coming from a point along the pipework leading to the driver side headlight washer, it stopped because the proxmity of the location of the washer bottle relative to the leakge point and advise that I could drive normally. Not exactly sure what it means but at least I am confident in driving it again.

I will keep an eye on it and if it does not recur, will get the dealer to look at it come MOT time in 6 weeks.

03-23-2011, 03:45 AM	#1
simont Private First Class 19 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 335i M sport Touring Join Date: May 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Mysterious fluid leak I notice that a stain has developed on the car park floor directly underneath the driver side headlight, and it has increased over Monday night, where the fluid seems to be water, could be either coolant or washer fluid (not oil), and it seems to be dripping from the point where the front bumper meet the rubber flap in front of the front wheel. The floor remain wet yesterday and from the size of the stain, the amount of leakage was approximately 300 ml. This morning I inpect the floor again and the leak seems to have mysteriously stopped (or at least greatly reduced) with a much smaller stain. I started the car and there is no error messages. The car was worked on by the dealer last week before (oil / brake fluid / spark plugs / air / pollen filter / injector change). I wonder why the leak has stopped by itself? Is it worth calling BMW emergency service to take a look and make sure everything its ok before driving the car (as advised by the dealer) despite the fact that leak is reducing?
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03-23-2011, 01:30 PM	#2
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	It could be water coming from the aircon? __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
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03-23-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
josh laurence Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: silver coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: totton iTrader: (0)	Could be your light washer unit/hose leaking? Had this on mine , i just disconected the hose and bloked it up, no leak ( but the washers dont work now)
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03-23-2011, 02:06 PM	#4
fastloop Lieutenant 40 Rep 522 Posts Drives: E92 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	You probably need to take the undertray off to see where the leak is coming from as it's just dripping down on the tray and leaks from the lowest point. So it could be anything from coolant leaking from the expansion tank, radiator, turbo's or screen wash. It will be limited what the BMW assist guy can do short of using a mirror on a stick. You need a lift or a set of ramps to get access to the tray and have a good look. I would recommend that you keep an eye on your coolant level as you don't want this to run low.
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03-23-2011, 06:31 PM	#7
ASR1 Member 1 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem, leaking headlight washer telescopes. Got them replaced under warranty.
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03-24-2011, 02:48 AM	#9
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	+1 for washer fluid. The leak has apparently stopped because the level has probably fallen below the leak point. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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03-24-2011, 02:29 PM	#11
simont Private First Class 19 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 335i M sport Touring Join Date: May 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys for the feedback. The stain has virtually disappeared by last night but for safety sake I call the BMW emergency service who came this afternoon and confirmed that it's not oil nor coolant (as they would not evapourate and coolant level was correct), and it's likely to be water but ruled out the aircon condensation due to the location of the puddle/stain. He suspects that the leak was the residual water coming from a point along the pipework leading to the driver side headlight washer, it stopped because the proxmity of the location of the washer bottle relative to the leakge point and advise that I could drive normally. Not exactly sure what it means but at least I am confident in driving it again. I will keep an eye on it and if it does not recur, will get the dealer to look at it come MOT time in 6 weeks.
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