Bad Torque Converter Seal

footsurg · #1 12-03-2005, 08:12 PM

Well today as I pulled out of the garage I noticed a small puddle of greenish fluid that had the consistency of oil on the garage floor under the right side of the X just below the tranny/torque converter. So I put it up on ramps to inspect the source of fluid to find that it is coming from the seal between the torque converter and the transmission. I am assuming that the fluid on the floor is transmission fluid. I have searched this board and found that 2 other folks had this issue. Both had the problem at about 60,000 miles and BMW warranted the cost even though both vehicles were technically out of warranty. My X has 50,100 miles.

Can anyone provide info as to whether this is a common problem and if BMW is assuming fault for this one across the board? Both guys on this board who had this issue stated that the dealer quoted them $1300 to fix the issue before BMW was called in and decided to warrant it. I just want to get all my facts together before I bring it in next week. I don't think this kind of problem should be happening on any 3 year old vehicle with 50,000 miles regardless of make or price much less than on a $60,000 model.

I have posted a couple of pics of where the trouble is coming from. The pics are not really clear but you can see what I am talking about on the close up. You can see some green residue between the transmission and torque converter housings. I would love to chat with anyone who has any specific info on this issue such as a TSB or inside BMW info.

Thanks for listening to my ranting.

Mark

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Rob_ · #2 12-03-2005, 08:18 PM

From what I can tell in the pics, that is what dried coolant looks like. Most probably the "Valley Pan" leaking coolant.

Rob_

footsurg · #3 12-03-2005, 08:28 PM

Rob,

What color is the transmission oil? What I found on the garage floor was certainly not coolant. This stuff was greenish blue in color and was thick and oily. Definitely felt like oil on the fingers.

Mark

vinuneuro · #4 12-03-2005, 08:30 PM

That is definatly coolant. Transmission fluid should be red. I don't understand how you're know whether it's the tq converter or the transmission as the tq is in the bell housing. You can't see the tq converter when the transmission is attached to the engine.

China Man · #5 12-03-2005, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footsurg

Rob,

What color is the transmission oil? What I found on the garage floor was certainly not coolant. This stuff was greenish blue in color and was thick and oily. Definitely felt like oil on the fingers.

Mark

If I'm not mistaken, transmission fluid should be red

Rob_ · #6 12-03-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footsurg

Rob,

What color is the transmission oil? What I found on the garage floor was certainly not coolant. This stuff was greenish blue in color and was thick and oily. Definitely felt like oil on the fingers.

Mark

Mark,

If it was tranny fluid, it would be a dark brownish red color with the miles that you have. BMW coolant "is" a blue color. Greenish blue if it has had both green and blue coolant used.

Rob_

footsurg · #7 12-03-2005, 08:39 PM

Well it certainly was not red in any way. Definitely greenish and oily. Can coolant be oily? Rob, what is the "valley pan" coolant leak you spoke of? Everyone else, thanks for your comments. I appreciate the input.

Mark

Rob_ · #8 12-03-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footsurg

Well it certainly was not red in any way. Definitely greenish and oily. Can coolant be oily? Rob, what is the "valley pan" coolant leak you spoke of? Everyone else, thanks for your comments. I appreciate the input.

Mark

Mark,

Coolant does have an oily feel to it. The valley pan is a cover on the top of the block (underneath the intake manifold). The only other possibility would be a leaking heater hose.

Rob_

vinuneuro · #9 12-03-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footsurg

Well it certainly was not red in any way. Definitely greenish and oily. Can coolant be oily? Rob, what is the "valley pan" coolant leak you spoke of? Everyone else, thanks for your comments. I appreciate the input.

Mark

If it's green and is oily at the same time, some kind of oil and coolant are mixing. If what you are saying is indeed true, I'd guess that either the transmission oil cooler or the engine oil cooler are on their way out. Does anyone know where those two parts are mounted?

footsurg · #10 12-05-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

If it's green and is oily at the same time, some kind of oil and coolant are mixing. If what you are saying is indeed true, I'd guess that either the transmission oil cooler or the engine oil cooler are on their way out. Does anyone know where those two parts are mounted?

If my understanding of water cooled engine mechanics is correct would it not take a cracked engine block to physically mix engine oil and coolant together?

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