Clear Fluid Leaking

Seifz · 11-13-2013, 05:07 AM

Hi guys,

Wondering if anyone might be able to provide some expertise in regards to a leak in my automatic 125i.

It appears to be a clear fluid that is water like in consistency (not oily). Can't really describe the smell but doesnt smell 'mechanical'. It is dripping down from the area where the drivers door panel and front quarter panel meet (directly below where the side indicator is).

When I first noticed it last week I thought it might be condensation from the AC and it seemed to go away but this morning the leak is back and i havent been using the AC.

Any ideas?

Dackelone · 11-13-2013, 05:13 AM

There is a water drain there. That is where all our 1er have a grey or black old water trace.

I think its from rain water collecting inside the doors. Water runs past the window gasket and inside the door. Then the water has to go somewhere. You might use a Q-tip to make sure your door holes are open. Open the door and look up at the door, you will see them.

Seifz · 11-13-2013, 05:18 AM

It hasnt been raining lately, what other fluid could it be =/

AshOz125i · 11-13-2013, 05:34 AM

Wash the car recently?

Seifz · 11-13-2013, 05:39 AM

Nah, I havent for a couple of weeks haha

JinAM · 11-13-2013, 06:04 AM

That area is where the washer bottle is located, and the prone to leaks.

Kiwi Peter · 11-13-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinAM

That area is where the washer bottle is located, and the prone to leaks.

Yep 100%

drjekl · 11-13-2013, 03:41 PM

Hopefully no-one has jizzed on your ride!

froop · 11-13-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drjekl

Hopefully no-one has jizzed on your ride!

I thought I cleaned up

Blauweisser · 11-13-2013, 04:36 PM

If it is windscreen washer fluid, it might have an alcohol/methylated spirits smell. Perhaps your bottle was over filled at the last service.

Dackelone · 11-13-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seifz

It hasnt been raining lately, what other fluid could it be =/

I would still check your drain holes at the bottom of your door. The doors are filled with wax(& cosmoline) and water can become trapped inside your doors.

IF you look at just about any 1er you will see the area bellow the mirrors and the area on the rocker panel(like you described) always becomes dirty from water dripping down it. Look at where I drew these arrows... is this the area where you are talking about?

ULOOKN · 11-13-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seifz

It hasnt been raining lately, what other fluid could it be =/

I would still check your drain holes at the bottom of your door. The doors are filled with wax(& cosmoline) and water can become trapped inside your doors.

IF you look at just about any 1er you will see the area bellow the mirrors and the area on the rocker panel(like you described) always becomes dirty from water dripping down it. Look at where I drew these arrows... is this the area where you are talking about?

I've noticed this on my 125i!
What can I do to prevent this happening?

bsm135 · 11-14-2013, 04:04 AM

I've got this too!
But I think it's washer bottle fluid related. I think it's leaking.

Because I filled up my washer tank about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't used the wipers and the light came on again today..

Dackelone · 11-14-2013, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ULOOKN

I've noticed this on my 125i!
What can I do to prevent this happening?

Use some micro fiber towels and a degreaser cleaner - and keep cleaning the underside of the door and door jam area. Try to get rid of all that cosmoline gunk that is up in there. And make sure your door drains are clean(cleared).

Blauweisser · 11-14-2013, 04:39 PM

Sounds like the wiper fluid bottle has cracked. This can happen with blow-moulded plastics, and polypropylene can fatigue with time. It might be best to replace it. It's probably not a good idea to have this stuff sloshing around in the internals of the car in the long term. After you take out the old bottle, give the area a good wash down.

ULOOKN · 11-14-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Quote:

Originally Posted by ULOOKN

I've noticed this on my 125i!
What can I do to prevent this happening?

Use some micro fiber towels and a degreaser cleaner - and keep cleaning the underside of the door and door jam area. Try to get rid of all that cosmoline gunk that is up in there. And make sure your door drains are clean(cleared).

Thanks.
I'll give that a shot

Seifz · 11-17-2013, 12:26 AM

It turned out to be washer fluid. Thanks guys!

Dackelone · 11-17-2013, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seifz

It turned out to be washer fluid. Thanks guys!

Was the washer fluid tank cracked? Thanks for the update.

11-13-2013, 05:07 AM	#1
Seifz Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Awaiting 135i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Clear Fluid Leaking Hi guys, Wondering if anyone might be able to provide some expertise in regards to a leak in my automatic 125i. It appears to be a clear fluid that is water like in consistency (not oily). Can't really describe the smell but doesnt smell 'mechanical'. It is dripping down from the area where the drivers door panel and front quarter panel meet (directly below where the side indicator is). When I first noticed it last week I thought it might be condensation from the AC and it seemed to go away but this morning the leak is back and i havent been using the AC. Any ideas?
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11-13-2013, 05:13 AM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	There is a water drain there. That is where all our 1er have a grey or black old water trace. I think its from rain water collecting inside the doors. Water runs past the window gasket and inside the door. Then the water has to go somewhere. You might use a Q-tip to make sure your door holes are open. Open the door and look up at the door, you will see them. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-13-2013, 05:18 AM	#3
Seifz Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Awaiting 135i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	It hasnt been raining lately, what other fluid could it be =/
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11-13-2013, 05:34 AM	#4
AshOz125i Private 7 Rep 85 Posts Drives: Sedona Red 1er Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Wash the car recently?
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11-13-2013, 05:39 AM	#5
Seifz Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Awaiting 135i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Nah, I havent for a couple of weeks haha
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11-13-2013, 06:04 AM	#6
JinAM Private 11 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	That area is where the washer bottle is located, and the prone to leaks.
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11-13-2013, 03:41 PM	#8
drjekl Captain 35 Rep 809 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Oz iTrader: (0)	Hopefully no-one has jizzed on your ride!
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11-13-2013, 04:36 PM	#10
Blauweisser Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 125i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oz iTrader: (0)	If it is windscreen washer fluid, it might have an alcohol/methylated spirits smell. Perhaps your bottle was over filled at the last service.
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11-14-2013, 04:04 AM	#13
bsm135 Private First Class 23 Rep 186 Posts Drives: Bmw 135i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	I've got this too! But I think it's washer bottle fluid related. I think it's leaking. Because I filled up my washer tank about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't used the wipers and the light came on again today..
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11-14-2013, 04:39 PM	#15
Blauweisser Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 125i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oz iTrader: (0)	Sounds like the wiper fluid bottle has cracked. This can happen with blow-moulded plastics, and polypropylene can fatigue with time. It might be best to replace it. It's probably not a good idea to have this stuff sloshing around in the internals of the car in the long term. After you take out the old bottle, give the area a good wash down.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2013, 12:26 AM	#17
Seifz Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Awaiting 135i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	It turned out to be washer fluid. Thanks guys!
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