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"hydraulic fluid leak"?

2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  thehinch 
#1 ·
So after a day of christmas shopping, I parked my car and as I was walking away I heard the sound of pressurized liquid/air being released, and then like at least 2 quarts of fluid spill out from under the front drivers side of the engine.

Its clear oily liquid. Not AC condensation (didn't have it on), and not radiator.

The nearest mechanic (non-BMW specialist) thought it was hydraulic fluid for the suspension. After some googling, it doesn't appear like this could be the case.

Does anyone have a good guess what this could be?

It is a 2001 X5 3.0 with 124k miles on the clock.

Thanks, J.
 
#2 ·
How many times has this happened because if your loosing 2 litres of fluid each time then you have serious issues and shouldn't be driving it until diagnosed.
Does it drop the fluid fast, slow or instantly?

The fact it is clear liquid says its not hydraulic fluid... Have you tasted it? You need to taste it to see what it is as a minimum.

It could be just something as little as the washer fluid reservoir leaking.

Do you have any symptoms at all?? Screatching power steering? Spongy brakes??
 
#4 ·
Check the bottom lines running to front radiator which are the transmission cooler lines. Be careful driving if its leaking transmission fluid. Hopefully its not this and its the radiator cap or the resevior (fluid is clear color). Powersteering lines are right there too but is redish color fluid.

Keep us posted on the verdict.
 
#5 ·
Is it oil from the front differential?

My X5 was slowly leaking the same type of oil as yours and yesterday whilst driving on the freeway it started shuffling for a gear and then transmission Fail message appeared on the dashboard and she went into neutral. No more go forward or reverse gears. The car is now waiting for the mechanic to reopen on the 7th of January before I can get it fixed.
 
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