What leak is this? PHOTO

tranquility · 02-27-2020, 03:53 PM

Left car a few hours and saw this as I moved the car (1st pic, circled yellow stains, slightly ahead of rear axle). However, when I moved the car, you can see the yellow stain is near the front axle since it was near the spillage from my antifreeze coming off the windshield in the 2nd pic, in that position just a few minutes).

Is this the dreaded transmission leak or something else? Not sure as isn't the tranny just behind the front axle near the centre? I know the temp fluctuations have been crazy here, 0 to -15C (32 to 5F), would the gaskets 'self heal' and reform a seal, or are they done for, presuming it isn't something else?

TIA.

KennyP · 03-01-2020, 05:37 AM

Its best to get on a lift and stop guessing.
When my DCT leaked it did not drip. its covered with plastic undertray and once i peeked behind it while on a lift i saw dct being a bit oily (dark residue). It never got past the undertray. Did not even see it when under the car with covers in place.

Looking at pictures. I would search for coolant leak. Lower picture of the front the leak is right where the waterpump sits in the engine bay and i have heard some pipes around it can leak. Leaks at the back.. when you drive it.. can run there from the front on the plastic undertray or moving air blows it there. It cant blow it from back to front. Coolant in our cars is also green.

jparnes1 · 03-01-2020, 08:57 PM

Trans fluid is red. Coolant is blue. Oil is black.

KennyP · 03-02-2020, 04:58 AM

Well good to know! My coolant is green... Thats why we go on forums. Learn something new everyday. Going to do a flush now!

Read this on other forum thread: Yea coolant dries greenish even tho it's blue. The coolant turns green with time.

Bmurata90 · 03-02-2020, 12:52 PM

Or maybe an animal took a pee underneath your Z xD
Are you using the new LiquiMoly formula by chance?

tranquility · 03-02-2020, 05:42 PM

Tx guys, ya, getting it checked tmw. Just hope it's not yet another tranny leak, don't want another $1,xxx bill ugh. *fingers crossed*

Ya, Liquidmoly as in motor oil, just switched to that, are you suggesting engine oil leak?

tranquility · 03-05-2020, 01:24 AM

Anyway, dealer said there's no leak, so just some liquid residue, e.g. water dripping from exhaust? No idea. I guess nothing to worry about now *knock wood*.

KennyP · 03-05-2020, 04:05 AM

Carwash maybe. They use coloured chemicals sometimes. In my area one uses green for wheels, red for prewash.

tranquility · 03-05-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyP

Carwash maybe. They use coloured chemicals sometimes. In my area one uses green for wheels, red for prewash.

I haven't been to the carwash in weeks, months? so dunno about that but still perhaps if it somehow clung onto the body for so long w/o being washed off?

02-27-2020, 03:53 PM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	What leak is this? PHOTO Left car a few hours and saw this as I moved the car (1st pic, circled yellow stains, slightly ahead of rear axle). However, when I moved the car, you can see the yellow stain is near the front axle since it was near the spillage from my antifreeze coming off the windshield in the 2nd pic, in that position just a few minutes). Is this the dreaded transmission leak or something else? Not sure as isn't the tranny just behind the front axle near the centre? I know the temp fluctuations have been crazy here, 0 to -15C (32 to 5F), would the gaskets 'self heal' and reform a seal, or are they done for, presuming it isn't something else? TIA.
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03-01-2020, 05:37 AM	#2
KennyP Lieutenant 147 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2009 Havana E89 Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Estonia iTrader: (0)	Its best to get on a lift and stop guessing. When my DCT leaked it did not drip. its covered with plastic undertray and once i peeked behind it while on a lift i saw dct being a bit oily (dark residue). It never got past the undertray. Did not even see it when under the car with covers in place. Looking at pictures. I would search for coolant leak. Lower picture of the front the leak is right where the waterpump sits in the engine bay and i have heard some pipes around it can leak. Leaks at the back.. when you drive it.. can run there from the front on the plastic undertray or moving air blows it there. It cant blow it from back to front. Coolant in our cars is also green. __________________ 2009 35i DCT Havana brown with ivory white interior. Mods: Cobb stage 1+FMIC, Wagner EVO1 FMIC, BMS DCI, KW V3 suspension, M3 front control arms, Hardrace RTAB, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Last edited by KennyP; 03-01-2020 at 05:45 AM..
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03-01-2020, 08:57 PM	#3
jparnes1 Colonel 242 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Trans fluid is red. Coolant is blue. Oil is black. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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03-02-2020, 04:58 AM	#4
KennyP Lieutenant 147 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2009 Havana E89 Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Estonia iTrader: (0)	Well good to know! My coolant is green... Thats why we go on forums. Learn something new everyday. Going to do a flush now! Read this on other forum thread: Yea coolant dries greenish even tho it's blue. The coolant turns green with time. __________________ 2009 35i DCT Havana brown with ivory white interior. Mods: Cobb stage 1+FMIC, Wagner EVO1 FMIC, BMS DCI, KW V3 suspension, M3 front control arms, Hardrace RTAB, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Last edited by KennyP; 03-02-2020 at 05:05 AM..
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03-02-2020, 12:52 PM	#5
Bmurata90 New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 e89 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Or maybe an animal took a pee underneath your Z xD Are you using the new LiquiMoly formula by chance?
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03-02-2020, 05:42 PM	#6
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Tx guys, ya, getting it checked tmw. Just hope it's not yet another tranny leak, don't want another $1,xxx bill ugh. fingers crossed Ya, Liquidmoly as in motor oil, just switched to that, are you suggesting engine oil leak?
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03-05-2020, 01:24 AM	#7
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Anyway, dealer said there's no leak, so just some liquid residue, e.g. water dripping from exhaust? No idea. I guess nothing to worry about now knock wood.
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03-05-2020, 04:05 AM	#8
KennyP Lieutenant 147 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2009 Havana E89 Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Estonia iTrader: (0)	Carwash maybe. They use coloured chemicals sometimes. In my area one uses green for wheels, red for prewash. __________________ 2009 35i DCT Havana brown with ivory white interior. Mods: Cobb stage 1+FMIC, Wagner EVO1 FMIC, BMS DCI, KW V3 suspension, M3 front control arms, Hardrace RTAB, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
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