trans leak

[we350z]

Something is leaking from underneath my 2000 X5 that I just got It looks red and somewhat oily so I am guessing it is transmission fluid. I have had the car for about 2 weeks now and have been driving it regularly, and did not notice it until I was pulling back into my garage after work today. The car has just over 65Kmi on it, but obviously is 8 years old now.

I bought this car from my dad for $17K, because he was having difficulty selling it. One guy almost bought the car for $20K, but backed out when he had the car checked out at an independent mechanic, the reason: the mechanic said the transmission had a very small leak and it would cost around $1000 to fix.

My dad didn't believe him, but I guess he was right. Anyway he said he would pay to get it fixed if it really needed repair. In reality I might have to pick up half of the bill, but what exactly should I expect for an estimate from an independent mechanic?

I know the car has been taken care of and serviced at the regularly reccomended intervervals by BMW dealerships and independent mechanics.

I am not sure what exactly will need to be replaced, my guess is some sort of seal (I have heard rear main seal - which I know goes around the flywheel). I have watched this be done on my '93 300X TT when I installed an aftermarket clutch/flywheel), we also replaced the transmission mount as well since it was sagging a little (i think this sometimes is the cause of such leaks).

Any I a novice mechanic I have installed fuel rails and fuel injectors in my 300Z which required me to do some light fabrication, I have done bolt on modifications, changed oil, etc...

Any advice appreciated.

[AzNMpower32]

Just a wild guess, but maybe it's the transmission pan gasket?? (That's supposedly one of the things leaking on my Lexus according to the stealership)

[we350z]

Well I don't really know, I'm just 99% positive it is leaking transmission fluid. I will mention that to the mech tho. I would think that is most likely that or the rear main seal. I would fix it myself but I don't have the tools to do it, also would be a major bitch without an air lift.

Is there anything else I should replace while he is in there? Ya know maintenance stuff (water lines, etc....)?

[vinuneuro]

If it's the pan/gasket, it should be a very easy fix. Whatever the problem is though, BMWNA has been known to take the bill on such repairs as a matter of goodwill, even outside warranty.

[we350z]

How do I go about trying to get BMWNA to foot the bill? I need to do this for a dead pixel in my gauge cluster as well would be nice to get it all banged out at once. Otherwise I was going to try to fix it myself, or more likely go to an independent mechanic.

[vinuneuro]

Either talk to your dealer's service dept first or call BMWNA yourself. Don't try to get both covered at the same time..they won't be inclined to give two freebies. How many miles are on the vehicle?

Wipe up as much fluid/residue as you can and then check later to trace the leak.

[motordavid]

Ask your ol'man for a refund or, discount...

[we350z]

just hit 65Kmi, I puta piece of cardboard down and will try and trace the leak later. Is the tran pan visible from just crawling under the car? Is this an easy DIY job or no?

[we350z]

he's going to split it with me whatever it ends up costing.

Originally Posted by motordavid

Ask your ol'man for a refund or, discount...

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by we350z

just hit 65Kmi, I puta piece of cardboard down and will try and trace the leak later. Is the tran pan visible from just crawling under the car? Is this an easy DIY job or no?

You can see the pan here. If it's the pan gasket, you'll just need to drain the fluid, drop the pan and change the gasket. I've never heard of an oil pan gasket leaking on these things. Hopefully that's the problem, but I'd guess it's a torque converter seal.

Wipe the fluid that's there right now and see where it comes from.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hange-diy.html