Slight leak?

[-Matt-]

Most days when I park up at home I pull into my parking space then reverse a bit to straighten up before finally parking. I have noticed that there is a little path of drips coming from under my car each time I do this. I don't think the fluid is oil as it evaporates and is not there when I come out to the car in the morning.

Any idea what could be leaking?

The path of drips seems to be coming from somewhere near the rear right of the car (exhaust is on the left). There is no puddle under the car in the morning so I guess the leak only occurs when the car is hot.

[DNRC]

have you replaced your valve cover gasket? I know mine was causing oil to drip down onto the road.

[Jim Spence]

I hate to state the obvious, but are you running your air conditioner? Condensation forms then drips off immediately as water onto the ground. If you're seeing a leak as soon as you stop, and then it disappears, it has to be water.

[-Matt-]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I haven't replaced the valve cover gasket but everything looks pretty clean in the engine bay and like I said I don't think the fluid is oil.

I do tend to always have the AC on and actually the compressor is on the right side of the car. I really hope this is all it is. I am just a bit paranoid because I recently had my gearbox and diff fluids changed to RP - I hate the thought that they are running dry.

I will try to catch some of the fluid and see if it does come from the AC compressor.

You have put my mind at ease a bit - Cheers :thumbup:

[DNRC]

oops, didn't see the part it wasn't oil, my bad :p. it is the a/c condensor, if you are a in a humid area it does it even worse like mine during the summer :p

[-Matt-]

Well I used a yoghurt pot to catch some of the drips - it is definitely water - I even tasted a bit!!!

The water is dripping from under the middle of the car - nowhere near the ac compressor. Here is a pic showing a few drips but I can't tell what I am looking at - any suggestions for where this is coming from?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=158514&d=1220033427





This image shows how much water comes out - it stops soon after turning the car:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=158515&d=1220033787

[Jim Spence]

It's from the AC. The water is probably running down something in the engine and dropping there.

If it's water, it has to be condensation.

Prove it to yourself by driving for a bit first thing in the morning without the AC on. When you park, there won't be any water.