Oil droplets on trunk!!! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ilovemy_e34 · 1st July 2007, 08:00

I have been noticing that I get a alot of oil droplets on the back of my car; mainly on the rear bumper and on the back of the trunk -- everywhere (from the badge to the plates).

At first I thought it was my power steering (I do a lot of freeway driving; I thought maybe the oil was being carried from the front to the back) since it was leaking from two lines and the pump. So I replaced the two lines and rebuilt the pump. The oil droplets were still there.

Now I do have other oil leaks: oil pan, front crank seal, and the oil return line on the back of the engine block. (I have recently replaced the chain tensioner and rear crank seal)

Do you guys think the oil on the rear of my car is coming from the leaks or is coming from the exhaust/cyclinders -- that is what I am afriad of.

1991 M5 235000 miles and she sees the redline

everytime I drive her... That saidI do not notice a difference in power.

BTW I run Mobil 15w-50 synthetic oil and oil consumption is 2 quarts every 3,000 miles and it leaks oil when I park it, approx 4 drops with 2 inch diameter.

Alan Archer · 1st July 2007, 11:37

I had a scary moment a couple of years ago
when I too saw spots/ oil deposits on the rear end
of the car...turned out to be the sealing washer on the
differential level plug was shot.
Yep, I was leaking diff oil

Quickly sorted with a new washer for small change.
Worth a look under the rear end of your car for the same but
looking at the mileage on her I'm guessing its probably just
natural oil consumption at that age...
Especially if you thrash it regularly !

Regards,

Alan.

ilovemy_e34 · 3rd July 2007, 21:42

Thanks Alan, I will have a look upon my return from Europe -- on that note do you recommend any night clubs in London? Maybe some electonica or post punk?

I do not appreciate you saying I thrash my car... It is tough love okay! lol

I guess the Tour de France is in town on Saturday: Go USA minus the drugs this time.

konst · 3rd July 2007, 22:23

i always have that problem, usually because i change the gearbox oil every 15k or so, and its always overfilled by a small amount. this means that it pushes out of hte overflow when driving at high revs/fast.

check if you can see where the oil is coming from. you might want to check level on the diff and gearbox. if levels are ok,you probably wont have to worry

have you had a service recently with diff oil change?

ilovemy_e34 · 3rd July 2007, 22:48

I changed the diff oil about 10,000 miles ago, and now that I think of it, I have been having this problem around the same time. Who would have thought...

Thanks I will have a look!

Another Ray · 4th July 2007, 01:16

Had same problem couple of weeks ago after some topspeed Autobahn runs....trunk covered in oil....

Was also caused by washer differential plug.

(btw differential oil got a very typical smell...so for a quick diagnosis...use your nose)