Need some help figuring out where this leak may be coming from

[asma123]

Hey guys, I have a 2002 e53 4.4i and I seem to be having an odd leak somewhere. I noticed some oil in the front area by the brake air ducts on the front driver side wheel, so naturally I went to the top area but I could not spot anything. Hoping someone had a similar problem. Thanks!

[admranger]

check the power steering lines (my go to start in the leak detection process...).

[asma123]

Originally Posted by admranger

check the power steering lines (my go to start in the leak detection process...).

That was my thought but I checked the oil by the driver wheel and it was brown not red so I thought this is engine oil.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by asma123

That was my thought but I checked the oil by the driver wheel and it was brown not red so I thought this is engine oil.

Ancient power steering fluid can be brown. When was the last time you flushed the system? If never, it might be a good time to do that. While you are in there, replace the reservoir (and integrated non-changeable filter) too.

[tmv]

Check the oil filter housing when you first start the engine. I have it leak only at first start on my 540i. The PO had the wrong gasket in there somehow (I suspect inferior oil filter). Problem solved when I do the oil change using the Mahle filter.
Your power steering fluid should be ATF, so it should be red(ish). If someone put regular power steering fluid in there, it will leak out since it's thinner than ATF.