Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-02-2010, 10:27 PM
msammy's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 381
msammy is on a distinguished road
Brake Fluid Leak - Drivers Side

OK, I just had the brakes done all around (rotors, pads, fluid flush) around 2 months ago. I noticed yesterday, the brake pedal felt spongy, wanting to fade to the floor at a full stop. I noticed I have brake fluid leaking just behind the front driver side wheel; about 12 inches back from the wheel well. Brake fluid tank is 1/2 full and dropping fast. I know the rear brake line is routed right in that area. What I don't understand is why a brake line would simply fail like that. Since it's enclosed up above all the plastic panels under the car and below the door, why would a brake line just decide to start leaking fluid? Any help would be appreciated.
__________________
2022 X6///M - Toronto Red, Silverstone Full Merino Leather, Executive Package w/Remote Engine Start, Soft-close doors, Heated & Cooled Cupholders, Front Ventilated Seats, Front & Rear Heated Seats, Front Massaging Seats, Carbon Fiber Trim.

2002 X5 3.0i, Sport Premium, Titanium Silver, Grey Dakota, Cold Weather Pkg, Xenons, DICE, LED Tails, just a winter vehicle...

2007 550i, Sport Premium, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota, Nav, Cold Weather Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Xenons.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 11-03-2010, 12:36 AM
Eurosport's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: around the world
Posts: 458
Eurosport is on a distinguished road
i'm willing to bet it's coming from your controller unit (aluminum block where all the lines meet, under the coolant expansion tank).
w/out looking at it of course ;p
i really hope it's not that though, trust me i had to drive 2 miles on hilly roads with just manual switching and using ebrake and to change it you have to pull out driver's headlight, a pita to change since space is limited and unlike every other car on the road the placement of it is horrible...
did i mention they run for 2k from dealer, about $600 from junk yards?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-03-2010, 08:20 AM
Weasel's Avatar
Almost never on here anymore :(
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 6,892
Weasel will become famous soon enough
If someone just did a flush have it towed to them at their expense so that they can fix it. Odds are someone made a mistake and left something loose, and you do NOT want to be driving if the fluid in the master cylinder runs out leaving you unable to stop.
__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot


You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-03-2010, 10:19 PM
msammy's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 381
msammy is on a distinguished road
Weasel; please take a look at this diagram. It appears the leak is occurring in the area with part #2, (where #1 & #3 come together) looks to be just behind the driver’s front wheel. If a flush was performed, would they disconnect this section in order to do so and is it possible they didn't tighten properly? I dropped it off tonight to my Indy (who did the brakes and flush) and he'll take a look at it in the am. The "check brake fluid" and "DSC inactive" message came up while I was driving to the shop. I hope it's an easy fix and inexpensive repair.
Attached Images
 
__________________
2022 X6///M - Toronto Red, Silverstone Full Merino Leather, Executive Package w/Remote Engine Start, Soft-close doors, Heated & Cooled Cupholders, Front Ventilated Seats, Front & Rear Heated Seats, Front Massaging Seats, Carbon Fiber Trim.

2002 X5 3.0i, Sport Premium, Titanium Silver, Grey Dakota, Cold Weather Pkg, Xenons, DICE, LED Tails, just a winter vehicle...

2007 550i, Sport Premium, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota, Nav, Cold Weather Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Xenons.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-03-2010, 11:04 PM
Weasel's Avatar
Almost never on here anymore :(
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 6,892
Weasel will become famous soon enough
That is not taken loose for a brake flush, only the bleed screws at the calipers really. Hopefully it is just a matter of tightening the lines in the connector and maybe a quick bleed of that line from the caliper end.
__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot


You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-13-2011, 05:01 PM
jhb jhb is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: boston
Posts: 58
jhb is on a distinguished road
I had leak in the same location, behind driver front wheel. Mine failed suddenly. Turns out the lines whent through an area where the plastic bottom protectors was holding water against the lines causing them to rust from the outside. My Local tech put in a patch.

I also have a failed master cylinder, but its not leaking. I have not yet bothered to replace it. At this point, i see no reason I should. Brakes work fine, just need a little extra travel.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-13-2011, 05:08 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by jhb View Post
I also have a failed master cylinder, but its not leaking. I have not yet bothered to replace it. At this point, i see no reason I should. Brakes work fine, just need a little extra travel.
That can indicate a failure on one of the circuits in the master cylinder, meaning you have less braking. Not a good idea to keep driving it. When the second circuit fails you have nothing to stop you except the car in front.
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver

2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-13-2011, 05:10 PM
jhb jhb is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: boston
Posts: 58
jhb is on a distinguished road
isn't the master just for power assist?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-13-2011, 05:15 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
No, the master cylinder applies the brakes when you press the pedal. Two separate circuits, and when the seals fail in one it bottoms out and still works the other circuit. That is why the pedal goes further to apply the brakes. However, the corrosion that failed the first seal can also fail the second seal. Then you have no brakes.

The booster is for power assist, it is a separate component.
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver

2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-26-2011, 12:05 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 653
Brit6 is on a distinguished road
Msammy: did you fix this? I have the EXACT same problem and my indy mech says the salt and snow bundles up against the plastic and causes the line to rust out. He said he can patch it with pressure fitted lines, about a couple hundred dollars and he has done a few before.

Quote:
Originally Posted by msammy View Post
Weasel; please take a look at this diagram. It appears the leak is occurring in the area with part #2, (where #1 & #3 come together) looks to be just behind the driver’s front wheel. If a flush was performed, would they disconnect this section in order to do so and is it possible they didn't tighten properly? I dropped it off tonight to my Indy (who did the brakes and flush) and he'll take a look at it in the am. The "check brake fluid" and "DSC inactive" message came up while I was driving to the shop. I hope it's an easy fix and inexpensive repair.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:25 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.