Large puddle under car over night

sarnomel99 · #1 07-18-2008, 12:56 AM

Can someone give me an idea what this might be. It might be a weird coincedence but my X5 was flithy, the wheels were black they were so dirty so yesterday I washed it and the wheels were perfectly clean again. So today I drove about 25 miles to a friends house and when I was leaving noticed a big puddle where my car was so I panicked because the history of my car has been nothing but trouble but anyway, it was black in color and somewhat greasy feeling without a smell. I checked my brake fluid, oil and transmission and they were all fine and none of them had the color or feel of the puddle. When I got home I opened my garage and there was a huge puddle from where my car was parked over night and obviously same color, lack of smell ect. What could it be? if it was just in my garage I would have thought that maybe it was just from washing all the filth off and it was just there from the washing which I did in the back of house. (I don't know why I though that, girl moment) anyway, can anyone help me out with this? I'm so tired of going to the dealership which seems to be the only place that can work on the car because of lack of whatever at other places. I would just like an idea of what it could be and if anyone thinks there is any correlation between me washing it and that happening right after because before that it wasn't leaking. The leak is coming from that plate thing under the car
Thanks

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Tomaz · #2 07-18-2008, 10:38 AM

The puddle hopefully may be condensation from your AC unit. If it is working correctly, water will drip out from the center of the car. When parked it could produce a puddle the size of a dinner plate. It may also be that whan you washed the car the dirty water continued to drip out of the bottom. Next time you need brake pads use Axxis Deluxe and you will not have any more brake dust problems. Good luck

sarnomel99 · #3 07-18-2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks Tomaz,

Unfortunatly, the air conditioner isn't working properly at this time. The blower works, howver, there is a hole in the line that needs replacing so that the freeon (I think) doesn't leak out but I do know what your talking about. When I first got the car it did do that. As far as it being dirty water that's what I'm hoping I just can't see it continuing to leak like that especially after being driven 50 miles since then. I will have to go out and check this morning.. I think I bought brembo last time but maybe that was just the routers, I can't remember but I will try the Axxis Deluxe. Thanks.. As for the other comments. I have been trying to sell this car for about 2 years now, believe me I hate this car, it is garbage, however, I am buying a new one. The 01 was the first year they made that car and with any car that usually is the year the have the most problems with so I'm going to try my luck with a new one and probably get rid of it before it goes off warranty. There isn't another suv out there that compares to the X5, in my opinion. The look of them, especially if you have the sport package with the bigger tires and the power behind them is unreal. They drive unbelievable. So ya, I'm selling my 01 X5 4.4 Any takers all offers will be considered, lol.

Tomaz · #4 07-18-2008, 11:01 AM

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences. I have a 01' with over 100K miles and it has been reliable and trouble free aside from normal maintence. Be careful, often a problem vehicle is a sign of poor maintenence or a bad mechanic. Before you sell you may want to try another mechanic and spend some money to get this car right and keep it. Your car may be reacting to your hating it, try a little love for a better outcome. I admire your loyalty to the X5 bacause they are great SUV's. Good luck

nra0707 · #5 07-18-2008, 12:38 PM

Has the puddle dried up or is it still shiney or greasy?

StanF18 · #6 07-18-2008, 01:24 PM

You should run your fingers through the puddle, then rub them together. That will at least tell you if it's water or oil.

sarnomel99 · #7 07-18-2008, 03:31 PM

The puddle hasn't dried up and when I put it on my finger it's black and feels greasy. I don't know if this matters however, when I checked the oil it was fine and it didn't look or smell the same as the puddle. I did the same thing with the brake fluid and the transmission fluid. None of them matched the puddle...

nra0707 · #8 07-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Maybe you ripped a CV boot?

primetime · #9 07-18-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nra0707

Maybe you ripped a CV boot?

Thats what i was thinking. But i'm not sure if a cracked CV boot will leave a puddle. Thats pretty big...I would suggest laying underneath the X and looking around with flashlight. Try to see where the mess is coming from. Try it after you've driven it around long enough for the car to get warm.

BimmerDude · #10 07-18-2008, 05:29 PM

Is it in front part of the X. Or in the middle? If it is in the front part of the car then its what happend to me. I had the thrust rods crack. Its located right under the bumper. They where dripping this black/gray type of grease. It wasn't a puddle but it was maybe the size of two half dollar size coins. I'm pretty sure this is your problem. Do what primtime said. But if you do not want to, have a guy friend of yours help you out. Good Luck

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