Oil on floor of battery storage?

Am looking at buying a 2006 X3 with 61K. The only thing strange noticed was a bit (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) of oil in the battery compartment. Any thoughts as to from where this would come or the cause? Also, anything else worthy of looking at? It will need brakes and tires in the next 10k, engine is clean and hadn't been detailed to hide leaks like others. Carfax was also clean. Have asked SA at dealership where I have my 325 serviced to see if I could obtain a service history.

Have read a lot of helpful advice on here about purchasing before going to see this afternoon and thank you in advance for your help on this question.

I would ask them to Perform Inspection II on the vehicle without any additional charge. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by jerry325

The only thing strange noticed was a bit (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) of oil in the battery compartment. Any thoughts as to from where this would come or the cause?

Don't think it is anything to be concerned about.

I found, just once, what sounds like the same thing you are describing.

Couldn't see or think of how it would have got there. No sign of anything that could have spilled.

Cleaned it up, and it has never happened again.

Some dubious possibilities:
- melting grease from the jack ends up there in hot weather
- lubricant from the spare tire lowering mechanism when it is used falls into that space
- service techs. putting gobs of dielectric grease on the battery posts and terminals

Originally Posted by Wrangler

I would ask them to Perform Inspection II on the vehicle without any additional charge. Best of luck.

Hard to get if the indicator on the OBC is not triggered, but nothing wrong with asking.

Originally Posted by jerry325

Am looking at buying a 2006 X3 with 61K. The only thing strange noticed was a bit (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) of oil in the battery compartment..

Clean oil? Like motor oil? My guess is someone stored a quart in there and it spilled a little. But who knows that sounds weird, did you ask them about it?

Thanks for the responses. Have gotten in touch with a BMW dealer (vehicle is being sold by car auction lot) and they've indicated all maintenance has been performed on schedule and has a clean history. The oil is probably the heating up of some of the spare tire mechanisms as there is no indication of other oil on the carpeting or surrounding areas and the spare hasn't been touched. May end up being jerrybmw325+x3 next time!

Originally Posted by X3-terrestrial

Hard to get if the indicator on the OBC is not triggered, but nothing wrong with asking.




Clean oil? Like motor oil? My guess is someone stored a quart in there and it spilled a little. But who knows that sounds weird, did you ask them about it?

Originally Posted by jerry325

May end up being jerrybmw325+x3 next time!

Nice combo! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------^^