You can.....but plenty of people won't recommend it.

My understanding of these additives is that they soften and swell the rubber seals, hopefully to the point where it stops the leak. Unfortunately it has the same effect on every rubber component in the system and have a knock-on effect of changing the tolerances on other components, increase wear and pressure on other parts and lead to premature failures.

Pretty much it treats the symptom, but not the problem.

It will probably get you down the road if you're tight for cash or don't plan to keep the car long.....

I can admit that I've used it in the past for pretty much a similar scenario to what you're going through - i bought a 10yr old LS400, first thing I did when I got it home was drop and replace all the fluids for peace of mind and, wouldn't you know it, the lovely and thin fully snythetic oil I put in started weeping out through the rear main seal. Obviously was no match for the pit sludge the p/o had been running in there.....

Don't want to sound like a preacher, but just a heads up!

I know. It really makes me angry. I take such good care of the car, and now I might have a $2000 diy job, and that is if I can do it

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I agree with the suggestions as the first thing to do is to find out the source of the leak. If you are sure you have checked your work thoroughly and there is no leak there then move on to other potential sources. If the leak is dripping from the stiffing plate, remove it in evening and check where it is coming from in the morning. You will need new bolts for the stiffening plate. Obviously, don't drive with the stiffening plate removed.

Sometimes the stiffing plate 'stores' oil or fluid from a leak and for some time after the repair it will appear there is still a leak.

IMO, any additive to transmission fluid is a Bozo no no.

How much fluid are you losing over a set period of time?

I lost about half the res in 5 days. Then the leak almost disappears.

If you are losing that much fluid you can locate the source of the problem. I would search until I find it before doing anything else. If it is dripping from the reinforcement plate, and since it is so easy to remove, that's the next step I would take.

Has anyone switched fluid types on their PS? I order the pento CF hydraulic fluid from oembimmer parts only to find out that my reservoir said ATF only. So I used ATF, but oembimmer told me that BMW says it is OK to switch the fluid types. Anyone else heard that?

It is fine to switch PS fluid brand as long as it meets BMW PS specifications.

It is not just a brand thing. I think the fluid has different properties. Did you change fluids?

Well I got underneath and found some problems. I can't figure out how to post pics but I have a video. Looks like the high pressure hose is shot. It is pealing apart and fluid literally seeps out of it. Also I have a small leak on the hose from the res to the pump. Is this a easy enough DIY?


https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?p...83930964927649

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?p...83930964927649
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?p...83930964927649

Here is what the HP line looked like before I cleaned it.

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/bill...ps-hp-line.jpg