Slow Leak Coming Out of Frame Rail

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  • AmosCake
    Wrencher
    • Feb 2021
    • 206

    #1

    Slow Leak Coming Out of Frame Rail

    Any one have an idea where this leak is coming from? Its super slow, maybe a drop every 3 days. The interior is super dry. I cleaned the engine bay and around all the lines and drain and fluid still leaks out of that drain hole.
  • Gk-89E30
    Noobie
    • Oct 2021
    • 18

    #2
    What does the fluid smell, look and feel like? Where along the frame rail is it? Post pic w/t wider frame for reference. Your choices are oil, ATF (power steering), condensation, or coolant
    GK
    Conformity is a crime

    Comment

    • 82eye
      E30 Mastermind
      • Jan 2009
      • 1854

      #3
      e30 speed sweat ..

      Comment

      • AmosCake
        Wrencher
        • Feb 2021
        • 206

        #4
        Originally posted by Gk-89E30
        What does the fluid smell, look and feel like? Where along the frame rail is it? Post pic w/t wider frame for reference. Your choices are oil, ATF (power steering), condensation, or coolant
        honestly looks like brake fluid or oil it’s amberish in color

        Comment

        • Northern
          R3V Elite
          • Nov 2010
          • 5040

          #5
          just based off how bad the paint looks around it, I imagine it's brake fluid.

          Could be a leak from the brake or clutch master cyls, either dripping down the inside of the firewall or the outside.
          Originally posted by priapism
          My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
          Originally posted by shameson
          Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

          Comment

          • AmosCake
            Wrencher
            • Feb 2021
            • 206

            #6
            Originally posted by Northern
            just based off how bad the paint looks around it, I imagine it's brake fluid.

            Could be a leak from the brake or clutch master cyls, either dripping down the inside of the firewall or the outside.
            I wish it were that simple. I checked the master and its dry as an old lady's cooch.

            Comment

            • 82eye
              E30 Mastermind
              • Jan 2009
              • 1854

              #7
              it could be coming from anywhere and following the rail down to the lowest point. check the brake lines including the hard lines along the rail. sometimes a rubber line will sweat before it gives out completely, they'll do it for quite some time. you want to check the hard lines to eliminate the possibility of corrosion / rust damage.

              Comment

              • AmosCake
                Wrencher
                • Feb 2021
                • 206

                #8
                Originally posted by 82eye
                it could be coming from anywhere and following the rail down to the lowest point. check the brake lines including the hard lines along the rail. sometimes a rubber line will sweat before it gives out completely, they'll do it for quite some time. you want to check the hard lines to eliminate the possibility of corrosion / rust damage.
                Thats what I figured but the it’s not coming from either side If that makes sense. Like it’s not wet before or after that hole. The hard lines are also on right side of the rail. The leak is coming straight form that hole.

                Comment

                • AmosCake
                  Wrencher
                  • Feb 2021
                  • 206

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Northern
                  just based off how bad the paint looks around it, I imagine it's brake fluid.

                  Could be a leak from the brake or clutch master cyls, either dripping down the inside of the firewall or the outside.
                  Question, can there be fluid leaking from between the inside and outside firewall? I removed the carpet and its all dry

                  Comment

                  • Northern
                    R3V Elite
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 5040

                    #10
                    Could be between the firewall and the thick insulation mat on the engine bay side of the firewall if your car still has that.
                    Originally posted by priapism
                    My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
                    Originally posted by shameson
                    Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

                    Comment

                    • reelizmpro
                      R3V OG
                      • Dec 2003
                      • 9446

                      #11
                      The only thing that is even remotely in that area is the brake/clutch fluid. I had a leak at the plastic elbow on the clutch master that would drip slowly and absorbed through the carpet before and eventually out of the frame rail before I found it. I did notice I was losing brake fluid but it was so slow I didn't think much of it. If it's not your clutch master, it could also be the brake master leaking into the booster or the lines, or the fitting to the clutch slave cylinder.
                      "I'd probably take the E30 M3 in this case just because I love that little car, and how tanky that inline 6 is." - thecj

                      85 323i M TECH 1 S52 - ALPINEWEISS/SCHWARZE
                      88 M3 - LACHSSILBER/SCHWARZE
                      89 M3 - ALPINEWEISS II/M TECH CLOTH-ALCANTARA
                      91 M TECHNIC CABRIO TURBO - MACAOBLAU/M TECH CLOTH-LEATHER

                      Comment

                      • AmosCake
                        Wrencher
                        • Feb 2021
                        • 206

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Northern
                        Could be between the firewall and the thick insulation mat on the engine bay side of the firewall if your car still has that.
                        Is there a drain there that would lead to the frame rail hole where my leak is coming out of?

                        Comment

                        • AmosCake
                          Wrencher
                          • Feb 2021
                          • 206

                          #13
                          Originally posted by reelizmpro
                          The only thing that is even remotely in that area is the brake/clutch fluid. I had a leak at the plastic elbow on the clutch master that would drip slowly and absorbed through the carpet before and eventually out of the frame rail before I found it. I did notice I was losing brake fluid but it was so slow I didn't think much of it. If it's not your clutch master, it could also be the brake master leaking into the booster or the lines, or the fitting to the clutch slave cylinder.
                          I have a feeling it’s a fluid leak in the booster since that goes through the firewall but my brakes don’t feel spongy at all

                          Comment

                          • twright
                            Mod Crazy
                            • Sep 2008
                            • 705

                            #14
                            Put a paper towel under the brake booster and see if it gets wet.

                            Comment

                            • Northern
                              R3V Elite
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 5040

                              #15
                              Originally posted by AmosCake

                              Is there a drain there that would lead to the frame rail hole where my leak is coming out of?
                              No, just if it runs down the firewall and onto the frame rail.
                              Originally posted by priapism
                              My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
                              Originally posted by shameson
                              Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

                              Comment

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