745i Fluid Leak

[Turbo6]

Seems it doesn't rain but pours. 2 weeks ago my car stood for 3 days unused. When I used the car again, I noticed red fluid on the floor, location, front right of the engine somewhere. It looked like ATF so I checked the powersteering level and noticed it was low. I had some ATF and topped it up only to notice the cap says use CHF-11S oil only!

Now my leak is worse and its definitely red in colour but not near the gearbox at all. Does the box have an oil cooler? Maybe I drove over something that may have scraped a pipe or dislodged a union???

Also, I topped up only about 100mls ATF. Can it cause damage? Must I drain out all the fluid now and replace with CHF-11S fluid??? My car has the hydro-sports suspension too and somewhere I heard it uses the same oil for the stabilizer bars or something like that.

Anyone know the mechanics of the E65 745s????

 

[Ralf*]

from http://forums.bimmerforums.com/foru...-Power-steering-Fluid&p=18382706#post18382706

check out post number 8

entosin is a large temperature range (Multi-viscosity like) Hydraulic system fluid.
Pentosin 7 is a mineral based oil and Pentosin 11 is a full synthetic.
ATF is basically a high detergent 20w oil with the lubricating property additives modified to make it Dexron or Mercon.
The additives and detergent levels in ATF make it very "Poisonous" to a Pentosin based system. Seal leakage is the result of mixing them.
Pentosin is a pale green out of the can but will turn a rusty red over time. It is NEVER bright red."

so it doesn't sound like a good idea to mix the two, although a bit higher a up on the page a user mentions that it should be OK when adding a bit as a top-up ONLY.

 

[Turbo6]

from http://forums.bimmerforums.com/foru...-Power-steering-Fluid&p=18382706#post18382706

check out post number 8

entosin is a large temperature range (Multi-viscosity like) Hydraulic system fluid.
Pentosin 7 is a mineral based oil and Pentosin 11 is a full synthetic.
ATF is basically a high detergent 20w oil with the lubricating property additives modified to make it Dexron or Mercon.
The additives and detergent levels in ATF make it very "Poisonous" to a Pentosin based system. Seal leakage is the result of mixing them.
Pentosin is a pale green out of the can but will turn a rusty red over time. It is NEVER bright red."

so it doesn't sound like a good idea to mix the two, although a bit higher a up on the page a user mentions that it should be OK when adding a bit as a top-up ONLY.

Aah snap! Just my luck! Looks like a job for the makkie again! :bangdesk:

 

[P1000]

The auto box most definitely has lines running to the radiator for cooling, and if that is the problem, you might have big problems on your hands soon. That said, it is more likely for the steering system to leak.

 

[Turbo6]

The auto box most definitely has lines running to the radiator for cooling, and if that is the problem, you might have big problems on your hands soon. That said, it is more likely for the steering system to leak.

Ok better get this checked out rather sooner than later.:thumbs:

 

[Peter@AEW]

Pentosin runs the steering and suspension
The leak on the right will be either from oil lines or the steering box.

ATF is a killer for Pentosin systems so the system needs to be drained.

Considering all the points from which the ATF will have to be evacuated I do not envy the bill you will receive.

Good Luck with it

 

[Turbo6]

Pentosin runs the steering and suspension
The leak on the right will be either from oil lines or the steering box.

ATF is a killer for Pentosin systems so the system needs to be drained.

Considering all the points from which the ATF will have to be evacuated I do not envy the bill you will receive.

Good Luck with it

Thankfully, I have a very reasonable BMW makkie with a great workshop. As for the oil, yes, I heard its like R400 a pint!:thumbdo:

 

[Turbo6]

Ok so turned out it's an oil leak from the front of the engine and not an ATF leak! Darnnnnn my oil is dirty! Anyways, booked in for repairs....

 

[Hugo_za]

The CHF 11-S is very expensive and yes, the active stabilizer bars also use this oil. It is possible that your front active stabilizer bar has sprung a leak. They are prone to doing so. Easy way to check is to just get the car up in the air and remove the undershield. Will be easy to tell if the stabilizer is the problem.

If it turns out the the oil is coming from the stabilizer bar then BMW will tell you to replace the bar (over R16k) but I did a DIY on mine and it has not leaked again.

If it is the dynamic drive valve block you are looking at around R3k off ebay.

Either way, your iDrive will tell you soon enough if the oil level for the dynamic drive system is low/leaking.

 

[Turbo6]

The CHF 11-S is very expensive and yes, the active stabilizer bars also use this oil. It is possible that your front active stabilizer bar has sprung a leak. They are prone to doing so. Easy way to check is to just get the car up in the air and remove the undershield. Will be easy to tell if the stabilizer is the problem.

If it turns out the the oil is coming from the stabilizer bar then BMW will tell you to replace the bar (over R16k) but I did a DIY on mine and it has not leaked again.

If it is the dynamic drive valve block you are looking at around R3k off ebay.

Either way, your iDrive will tell you soon enough if the oil level for the dynamic drive system is low/leaking.

Thanks for the insight dude! Its not that luckily its an engine leak from the front timing cover that suddenly appeared! Makes me wonder if I made a wise choice taking this car.

 

[Hugo_za]

The CHF 11-S is very expensive and yes, the active stabilizer bars also use this oil. It is possible that your front active stabilizer bar has sprung a leak. They are prone to doing so. Easy way to check is to just get the car up in the air and remove the undershield. Will be easy to tell if the stabilizer is the problem.

If it turns out the the oil is coming from the stabilizer bar then BMW will tell you to replace the bar (over R16k) but I did a DIY on mine and it has not leaked again.

If it is the dynamic drive valve block you are looking at around R3k off ebay.

Either way, your iDrive will tell you soon enough if the oil level for the dynamic drive system is low/leaking.

Thanks for the insight dude! Its not that luckily its an engine leak from the front timing cover that suddenly appeared! Makes me wonder if I made a wise choice taking this car.

I was looking to buy a 745i as well but the dealer convinced me to test drive the 645ci instead. My heart was with the 7 but it developed a problem with the one amp while on the test drive. So i bought the R100k more expensive 6-er.

There are a few tell-tale things to look out for with the 7 depending on the year model but anything post-2004 model year had the initial problems sorted out.

That being said, a well taken care of 7 will give you many happy miles.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Turbo6]

I love the shape of the 6 now. Funny enough, when the 7 and 6 first appeared on local shores, I thought they were so FUGLY compared to the Audi and Merc offerings. Strange that today, the shape is bang up to date if you compare the shape of things. I think a lot of critics owe Chris Bangle an apology. The man had vision and his design bears testament to his foresight!

 

[Peter@AEW]

I love the shape of the 6 now. Funny enough, when the 7 and 6 first appeared on local shores, I thought they were so FUGLY compared to the Audi and Merc offerings. Strange that today, the shape is bang up to date if you compare the shape of things. I think a lot of critics owe Chris Bangle an apology. The man had vision and his design bears testament to his foresight!

As aesthetics are a matter of personal interpretation I respect your view even though I think Chris Bangle should have been castrated for producing such abominations.

 

[Hugo_za]

The facelift E65 remains an amazingly handsome car...in some ways even more so than the F01.

I am looking forward to the Paris 2014 motor show as it is expected that the next 7-er will make its debut then.

 

[zaleonardz]

Chris Bangle FTMFW...

I want a 6'er now as well.....

Epic cars..

The CHF 11-S is very expensive and yes, the active stabilizer bars also use this oil. It is possible that your front active stabilizer bar has sprung a leak. They are prone to doing so. Easy way to check is to just get the car up in the air and remove the undershield. Will be easy to tell if the stabilizer is the problem.

If it turns out the the oil is coming from the stabilizer bar then BMW will tell you to replace the bar (over R16k) but I did a DIY on mine and it has not leaked again.

If it is the dynamic drive valve block you are looking at around R3k off ebay.

Either way, your iDrive will tell you soon enough if the oil level for the dynamic drive system is low/leaking.

Thanks for the insight dude! Its not that luckily its an engine leak from the front timing cover that suddenly appeared! Makes me wonder if I made a wise choice taking this car.

I was looking to buy a 745i as well but the dealer convinced me to test drive the 645ci instead. My heart was with the 7 but it developed a problem with the one amp while on the test drive. So i bought the R100k more expensive 6-er.

There are a few tell-tale things to look out for with the 7 depending on the year model but anything post-2004 model year had the initial problems sorted out.

That being said, a well taken care of 7 will give you many happy miles.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Hugo_za]

@Leonard the E63/E64 is becoming very affordable now. Quite a few sub-R200k ones floating around. All the svelteness of a 7 but far less complicated mechanically and technologically thanks to its E60 foundation. Before I had the front suspension work done I seriously thought about selling mine and buying a newer 650i but best offer I got was R205k. But...loving the car again after all the work that's been done.

 

[Turbo6]

@Leonard the E63/E64 is becoming very affordable now. Quite a few sub-R200k ones floating around. All the svelteness of a 7 but far less complicated mechanically and technologically thanks to its E60 foundation. Before I had the front suspension work done I seriously thought about selling mine and buying a newer 650i but best offer I got was R205k. But...loving the car again after all the work that's been done.

Totally agree with you here, they are becoming quite a Sports car bargain! No reason as to why these cars should depreciate expend our idiotic industry punters and our stupid consumers. These things still do well in other markets outside of SA.

 

[Hugo_za]

@Leonard the E63/E64 is becoming very affordable now. Quite a few sub-R200k ones floating around. All the svelteness of a 7 but far less complicated mechanically and technologically thanks to its E60 foundation. Before I had the front suspension work done I seriously thought about selling mine and buying a newer 650i but best offer I got was R205k. But...loving the car again after all the work that's been done.

Totally agree with you here, they are becoming quite a Sports car bargain! No reason as to why these cars should depreciate expend our idiotic industry punters and our stupid consumers. These things still do well in other markets outside of SA.

I think the depreciation has to do with the assumed maintenance costs. Sad thing is that a VW Passat is just as expensive to service at the agents as what a 6-er is. Guess it comes down to the fact that there are much more aftermarket options available when it comes to parts for high volume models than for their more exclusive counterparts.

 

[Turbo6]

Anyways, waaaaaay off topic.:rollsmile:

The oil leak was a failed oil sender unit. Thankfully, a R260.00 repair and did an oil change one time! :thumbs:

 

[Hugo_za]

Wow, you struck it lucky