My car is leaking something.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 1:26 PM

Quick question I have a 535i 5 speed and I have noticed that my car is leaking a lot of red fluid. I cant think of what it is, I was thinking power steering but the power steering fluid that I can see in there is not red. Any ideas of what it is and how to fix it?

mosportgreen66 · Post by **mosportgreen66** » Jan 29, 2008 1:42 PM

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 1:46 PM

Ya thats the only fluid I can think of but its a 5 speed.

MShimon · Post by **MShimon** » Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM

perhaps power steering fluid?

Post by **Shawn D.** » Jan 29, 2008 2:11 PM

When you say the PS fluid is not red, are you looking in the gold canister with the knob in the top?

FWIW, some 5-speed transmissions are specified to run ATF. Are you sure yours hasn't been serviced with that?

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 2:16 PM

ya I looked in the correct spot. I'm not to sure what fluid it has in the tranny I just bought the car a couple days ago, and was told that it was power steering fluid that was leaking but the power steering fluid he gave me that he has been putting in there isnt red. I think I saw it dripping out of a hose in the engine bay but i couldn't really see it that well.

redstu · Post by **redstu** » Jan 29, 2008 2:56 PM

Must be power steering fluid, the only other hoses would be petrol or coolant. You'll need to clean the hose to determine where the leak is, it might be a loose union.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Jan 29, 2008 3:15 PM

If you are putting anything other than Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid (or a synthetic equivalent) in your power steering reservoir you are not doing your car any favors.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 3:38 PM

I am using synthetic power steering fluid.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Jan 29, 2008 3:50 PM

The system was/is designed to run with Automatic Transmission Fluid not Power Steering Fluid.

BRRV · Post by **BRRV** » Jan 29, 2008 3:52 PM

The car you're driving doesn't use "power steering fluid" - it uses ATF (Dextron II) for the power assist. While some will say it doesn't matter, I don't agree, otherwise, why'd they spec it? You need to use any good quality ATF - I use a Valvoline MaxLife product.

The ONLY red fluid you should be leaking would be ATF. Perhaps someone just topped up the system with the wrong stuff and the red ATF is leaking out of any number of places.

Beyond that, as mentioned, your 5-speed transmission could be filled with ATF (it can be used in cold temperatures).

Running the power steering pump dry will seize the pump, so you need to find out where this is leaking from. Are you getting any groaning noises at startup or when you turn the wheel? This would be a clue that the pump is starving and that there is air in the system.

First thing I would do is a search for power steering - there was a recent thread about leakage like this. Also, buy a Bentley Manual for the E28 - it will answer most of your questions. Those it doesn't answer can be answered here.

Good Luck...

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 4:47 PM

ok well since I just got the car 3 days ago I wasnt aware of this I will make sure I go and get some ATF tonight and I will check for the leak as well. Its not making any groaning noises right now cause I'm making sure I keep it full of fluid. Also I live in San Diego and I just bought some royal purple MTF is that ok to use in the tranny?

BRRV · Post by **BRRV** » Jan 29, 2008 5:35 PM

I'm not familiar with that Royal Purple product - I just went to their website and didn't find that particular one. Are you talking about Synchromax? For your car, they are recommending a Royal Purple SAE 30 motor oil. I wouldn't do that.

Your cars 5-speed transmission calls for an SAE 80, GL-4, non-hypoid lubricant. Any good quality synthetic that meets that specification would be fine. Many people here use Redline MTL.

You can also use ATF, or a BMW-approved straight weight engine oil (which is probably what Royal Purple is). For me, Redline MTL is the product of choice.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 29, 2008 5:52 PM

Ya its the syncromax.

a · Post by a » Jan 29, 2008 6:37 PM

granted it was only a lowly 528e, but the Grape showed no ill effects from running PS fluid for a yr or so until I got around to replacing the return hose with a piece of heater hose

But Mark is right. Find the leak and fix it, then use Dex III ATF

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Jan 29, 2008 8:30 PM

The Synchromax should work fine in the manual trans, but I had bad luck with it. I think it was just because the synchros in my trans were worn though...

bmw4aaron · Post by **bmw4aaron** » Jan 29, 2008 10:56 PM

sIIooo wrote:Ya its the syncromax.

I'm running syncromax in the V8's 6speed trans, and maxgear in the diff. Don't have any issues shifting at any temps. Had redline in previously, night and day difference. I highly recommend Royal Purple.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Jan 30, 2008 12:16 AM

I am of the opinion/suspicion that power steering fluid is just expensive ATF, but without the red dye. Granted, I don't know if it's dextron or type F or whatever, but since dextron is the most common, I'd guess it's that.

Post by **Shawn D.** » Jan 30, 2008 8:02 AM

Mike W. wrote:I am of the opinion/suspicion that power steering fluid is just expensive ATF, but without the red dye. Granted, I don't know if it's dextron or type F or whatever, but since dextron is the most common, I'd guess it's that.

It can't be Dextron, cause there's no such thing.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 30, 2008 3:36 PM

So is there a hose that normally breaks on these cars?

Post by **Shawn D.** » Jan 30, 2008 5:42 PM

sIIooo wrote:So is there a hose that normally breaks on these cars?

No. You'll have to clean the area and see where the leak is. A common leak is an o-ring inside the booster, at the master cylinder end. It's not an expensive fix, but it's of moderate difficulty/frustration. Let's not fixate on this possibility until you've done some investigation.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 30, 2008 8:16 PM

But would that be leaking ATF?

andeez · Post by **andeez** » Jan 30, 2008 8:30 PM

Yes. The brake booster runs on pressure from the power steering system instead of vacuum...so, they are connected.

Mine leaks there too, but not real badly. The o-ring used is a 38x3. I bought mine from McMaster Carr because they sell Viton rubber ones.

Checking this is real simple and takes 10 seconds. Just reach under and feel the area where your brake master cylinder is bolted to the booster. If there's fresh fluid clinging to the bottom of these items, that's your leak.

filmy · Post by **filmy** » Jan 30, 2008 8:37 PM

Shawn D. wrote:It's not an expensive fix, but it's of moderate difficulty/frustration.

Truer words were never [written].

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Jan 30, 2008 8:45 PM

ALL of the power steering and ATF containing hoses leak on these cars...

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 30, 2008 9:03 PM

Cool thanks guys I will look at that tonight after I get off work.

Post by **Shawn D.** » Jan 31, 2008 8:38 AM

sIIooo wrote:But would that be leaking ATF?

Why else would I have mentioned it?

Sorry, but I find it annoying when someone who knows little to nothing about something questions the advice of someone who is knowledgeable about the subject.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 31, 2008 10:28 AM

Just wanted to make sure. I did check under the booster and that seems to be where it is coming from so I will change that seal in there just waiting on the repair manual.

andeez · Post by **andeez** » Jan 31, 2008 11:24 AM

The Bentley doesn't tell you how to do that job.

This will, however.

It's not a 10 minute job, just so you're aware.

sIIooo · Post by **sIIooo** » Jan 31, 2008 12:11 PM

Thanks a lot thats great I love this site defiantly a lot more helpful people than the other sites.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

My car is leaking something.

My car is leaking something.