New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-08-2017, 01:15 PM   #67
Kessler35is
Second Lieutenant
United_States
48
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: 2015 F15 50i, 2016 E89 35is
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Tupelo, MS.

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Z4 35is  [0.00]
2015 X5 50i  [0.00]
The 2011 35is I owned for 3 years didn't have this issue. Now I hope the 2016 I got last month doesn't develop the leak.
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2017, 03:21 PM   #68
2Intense
Enlisted Member
2Intense's Avatar
3
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 2010 Z4 sDrive 3.5i (Red)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Philly_sweden View Post
I just bought a 35is and now I want to look for this as well.
How is it visible? Where do I look?
Do I look for stains on the floor of the garage?

Thanks!
I bought a 2010 35i with @79K miles on it about a month ago. The first thing I did was take it to the BMW dealer for an oil change and to get it on a lift and give it a look.

There were two seperate transmission leaks, one on the side of the DCT, apparently a known issue and another on the transmission oil pan. I was told both were commonplace and they actually just replace the pan as they warp and/or crack causing them to leak.

Final bill was about $1300 in labor and $700 in parts and materials.

I had the car a week and did not note any drips on my garage floor before this however I did see the leaks when it was on the lift. I was told that the leak or seepage will normally occur for a long time before it is ever noted on the floor.
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2017, 03:24 PM   #69
Philly_sweden
Lieutenant
Philly_sweden's Avatar
Sweden
511
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 2017
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Sweden

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [10.00]
  [9.50]
2017 BMW M2   [7.83]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Intense View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philly_sweden View Post
I just bought a 35is and now I want to look for this as well.
How is it visible? Where do I look?
Do I look for stains on the floor of the garage?

Thanks!
I bought a 2010 35i with @79K miles on it about a month ago. The first thing I did was take it to the BMW dealer for an oil change and to get it on a lift and give it a look.

There were two seperate transmission leaks, one on the side of the DCT, apparently a known issue and another on the transmission oil pan. I was told both were commonplace and they actually just replace the pan as they warp and/or crack causing them to leak.

Final bill was about $1300 in labor and $700 in parts and materials.

I had the car a week and did not note any drips on my garage floor before this however I did see the leaks when it was on the lift. I was told that the leak or seepage will normally occur for a long time before it is ever noted on the floor.
Thanks!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2017, 04:21 PM   #70
Kessler35is
Second Lieutenant
United_States
48
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: 2015 F15 50i, 2016 E89 35is
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Tupelo, MS.

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 Z4 35is  [0.00]
2015 X5 50i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Intense View Post
I bought a 2010 35i with @79K miles on it about a month ago. The first thing I did was take it to the BMW dealer for an oil change and to get it on a lift and give it a look.

There were two seperate transmission leaks, one on the side of the DCT, apparently a known issue and another on the transmission oil pan. I was told both were commonplace and they actually just replace the pan as they warp and/or crack causing them to leak.

Final bill was about $1300 in labor and $700 in parts and materials.

I had the car a week and did not note any drips on my garage floor before this however I did see the leaks when it was on the lift. I was told that the leak or seepage will normally occur for a long time before it is ever noted on the floor.


If you are leaking you can look at the underside, the underpinning of this car covers almost all of the bottom. The oil will show through as a stain.


Look here to get an example.

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showpost...2&postcount=31
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2017, 08:14 PM   #71
tranquility
sportscars only
tranquility's Avatar
Canada
3196
Rep
3,190
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montréal

iTrader: (0)

Like a poster said, you should check it when you have your oil change. It's almost pointless to check via looking at your floor because most of these leaks are really 'sweating' and minor leakages, not the spilling out kind.
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2018, 08:13 PM   #72
Herkypilot
New Member
United_States
2
Rep
27
Posts

Drives: 2012 Z-4 35i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Meadows of Dan, VA

iTrader: (0)

I have a 2012 35i that was purchased in 2015 with 24k miles & CPO. I had the dealer look at mine in 2016 when I was getting the last covered service done. They reported some fluid but said it was from a vent tube. Fast forward to March 2018 - I had an Indi shop change the oil/filter and change out the brake fluid. They conducted a multi-point inspection and reported that the Mechatronic seal was leaking. They had $$$ in their eyes until I told them it was still under the CPO warranty until June. I then took it to the dealer for repair. They took care of it and also reported that the oil pan gasket was leaking. The car was there overnight because they were waiting on parts otherwise it would have been completed the same day. I can only hope that's the last of the leaks on the DCT.

HP
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2018, 08:23 PM   #73
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herkypilot View Post
I have a 2012 35i that was purchased in 2015 with 24k miles & CPO. I had the dealer look at mine in 2016 when I was getting the last covered service done. They reported some fluid but said it was from a vent tube. Fast forward to March 2018 - I had an Indi shop change the oil/filter and change out the brake fluid. They conducted a multi-point inspection and reported that the Mechatronic seal was leaking. They had $$$ in their eyes until I told them it was still under the CPO warranty until June. I then took it to the dealer for repair. They took care of it and also reported that the oil pan gasket was leaking. The car was there overnight because they were waiting on parts otherwise it would have been completed the same day. I can only hope that's the last of the leaks on the DCT.
Mechatronic seal???
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 11:22 AM   #74
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
Mechatronic seal???
Are you questioning whether this is what was leaking?
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 11:54 AM   #75
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoQuarter View Post
Are you questioning whether this is what was leaking?
No. I'm asking what it is.
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 12:09 PM   #76
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
No. I'm asking what it is.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...x-dkg/CMRPFWMH
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 01:46 PM   #77
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoQuarter View Post
OK! So it's a silver module thingy that resides in the bowels of a DCT. That was helpful, I guess...
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 01:53 PM   #78
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
OK! So it's a silver module thingy that resides in the bowels of a DCT. That was helpful, I guess...
Right. This unit is similar in all the transmissions. It is the electronic/hardware interface that controls the transmission hydraulic solenoids that moves things around inside. It is often a leaky point in many of our BMWs (not just DCT)
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2018, 04:02 PM   #79
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

So I take it, since it lives under the "hydraulic cap" that when it leaks it's internal?
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2018, 12:08 PM   #80
gnx
Όλα ρόδες
gnx's Avatar
752
Rep
555
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Athens, Greece

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
So I take it, since it lives under the "hydraulic cap" that when it leaks it's internal?
The mechatronic unit bolts on the side, so it is not internal.
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2018, 12:18 PM   #81
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

OK; glad that's on your work bench and not mine. Looks scary complicated!
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2022, 08:36 AM   #82
spielnicht
Petrolhead
spielnicht's Avatar
428
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: 24 X3 M40i/14 550i/08 Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Reviving an old thread.

Finally had a chance to put my new 2011 Z4 up on ramps and took a look all around. With only 25K miles, I didn't expect to see much and I'm happy about that. HOWEVER, I was surprised (and disappointed ) to notice the DCT lower pan leaking. There is literally no fluid leaking down, just slowly building alongside the seal. I knew this was a common issue - just didn't expect it at such low mileage. Luckily the side gasket is dry as a whistle.

Anyway, I recently replaced the transmission pan & fluid on my F10 550i, so I'm comfortable tackling this. Seems to literally be the same refill procedure (with ISTA). Just curious if anyone here has done this themself and have any tips to offer before I tackle it.
__________________
.
2024 X3 M40i
2014 550i
2008 Z4 3.0si 6MT
2011 Z4 35si (sold)
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2022, 08:56 AM   #83
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
I think you won't see any surprises since you have done this before.

Things to consider
- a new pan and filter
- an aluminum pan vs the stock plastic
- a Vinton gasket
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2022, 09:48 AM   #84
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

May have only 25k miles, but it’s 11 years old. Age counts!
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2022, 01:01 PM   #85
tranquility
sportscars only
tranquility's Avatar
Canada
3196
Rep
3,190
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montréal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
May have only 25k miles, but it’s 11 years old. Age counts!
Yup, crazy I have like 7x the mileage. 25K sounds super-low though. Wonder what the avg yearly mileage is for us Z4s?
__________________
The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation...It's bullsh*t. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal...Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy?
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2022, 11:38 AM   #86
B21
Lieutenant
B21's Avatar
137
Rep
580
Posts

Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Scotland..God’s own country

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spielnicht View Post
Reviving an old thread.

Finally had a chance to put my new 2011 Z4 up on ramps and took a look all around. With only 25K miles, I didn't expect to see much and I'm happy about that. HOWEVER, I was surprised (and disappointed ) to notice the DCT lower pan leaking. There is literally no fluid leaking down, just slowly building alongside the seal. I knew this was a common issue - just didn't expect it at such low mileage. Luckily the side gasket is dry as a whistle.

Anyway, I recently replaced the transmission pan & fluid on my F10 550i, so I'm comfortable tackling this. Seems to literally be the same refill procedure (with ISTA). Just curious if anyone here has done this themself and have any tips to offer before I tackle it.
I think age and heat cause these plastic parts to crack and deform..same with the cam box and other parts.

I replaced the sump with an alloy low profile version, plus I have an uprated cam box and an all aluminium water pump in the wings ..
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2022, 07:47 PM   #87
SpectreMech
Private
7
Rep
87
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 iDrive 35is
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BF Idaho

iTrader: (0)

Great, something else to be concerned about...

I got an inspection mirror and a bright light and did some serious crawling around in and under my 2011 35is (71K miles) looking for any signs of weeping or an outright leak. Nothing...but I understand you have to drop the under fairing to really evaluate it.

Honestly, if it's a weep I may let the damn thing get soggy until the next major service. In the old Harley's, they called it the "constant loss" oiling system. Be nice to know if there was an actual idiot light for low level, but I'm guessing with the gear box oil quantity it would take a significant loss to impact or endanger the unit, and it would be very apparent.

Watched a vid with a BMW mechanic explaining the need to do this on two M3s. He said if it was his car, he'd do a trans oil change every 30K to 50K miles, which surprised me. But...he also said hard gear changes or hard pull-aways from a stop can indicate the need for a change as well, which got my attention.

My Z stumbles very slightly from a dead stop, but it seems to clear in Sport or Sport+. Thinking about a precautionary change if I can't find evidence of one on the former owner's records.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2022, 08:13 PM   #88
paris1
Captain
88
Rep
745
Posts

Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern Calif.

iTrader: (0)

A "slight stumble" could be caused by any number of things. As for the leak, I've had a weeping trans pan gasket for about 40k miles (70k miles on the vehicle) which never seems to get any worse. Last time it was in the shop (for an HPFP replacement), I took a look at it while it was up on the rack and decided it wasn't worth worrying about.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST