-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
E39 528i Oil Leak from where?
- Thread starter Truvalu
- Start date
DonovanPorter
///Member
iam guessing atf from the power steering
Philip Foglar
///Member
Had spotted a few small drops of oil on the garage floor where the bakkie is always parked and on investigating it was the same sort of thing. Not leaking as in losing tons of oil, but "sweating" which apparently is normal to a certain point - just been in for its service yesterday and they were told to investigate and correct this as well as clean up the mess around this area...
Hope it's nothing serious though, have checked the gearbox's oil level?
Hope it's nothing serious though, have checked the gearbox's oil level?
Philip Foglar
///Member
Truvalu said:
Isn't there a dip-stick for the automatic fluid? I remember checking the gearbox oil for old Merc 350SE and it had a dip stick - engine had to be running from what I remember to get a proper level check. Not sure otherwise on the E39's how to see the level...
zaleonardz
Well-known member
No Dipstick, and ATF is red, so is the power steering fluid, and in some cases (do your homework first) you can use the ATF in the power steering, so it could be either one of those, but thats more then likely gearbox oil.
The E39 had an electronic gear lever, so no leak from there, also since its red its not your rear main seal. I would check the electical connector and around that, there is a seal on that.
The only thing close to there though for the power steering is the actual steering box, and while its possible that it may have sprung a leak, the oil is usually under pressure, so if its leaking from the steering box, you should be able to pick it up.
However, have it degreased, and then see where its leaking from,
The E39 had an electronic gear lever, so no leak from there, also since its red its not your rear main seal. I would check the electical connector and around that, there is a seal on that.
The only thing close to there though for the power steering is the actual steering box, and while its possible that it may have sprung a leak, the oil is usually under pressure, so if its leaking from the steering box, you should be able to pick it up.
However, have it degreased, and then see where its leaking from,
Solo Man
Well-known member
Most of the E39 BMW's have a problem with the power steering reservoir pipes. The clamps used by BMW causes the pipes to leak where they connect to the reservoir. On my 528i i have replaced the clamp with a proper stainless steel screw type clamp. Before replacing the clamp, the atf fluid used to leak where it connects to the reservoir, That could be the cause of your "reddish fluid" oil leak
Truvalu
New member
Solo Man said:
You are so right!!
The same drops are forming on the bottom of one of these pipes right in the front of the engine and I can clearly see the path it is blown towards the back obviously while driving.
It already has stainless screw type clamps on, but must need some attention if it "sweats" like that.
Firstly I checked the ATF level in the reservoir and that seems fine... there is no O-ring on the cap, should there be? ... it always seems messy around the cap.
No acces to a lift, but will investigate further and update.
Thanks guys... i feel much better
