Brake fluid leak

[DatUtahGuy]

50 internets to whoever can guess correctly where this is coming from. I looked inside the wheel well(with the tire still on) and it seems it's a drip from the engine bay, not a splatter behind the tire, so I believe it's not my brake line but perhaps ABS lines?

Ideas? Where should I start looking?

[Click]

How about an engine bay shot looking as master cyl/ abs pump

[jlevie]

The location of the drip suggests a leak around the master cylinder area or from the line that runs to the rear of the car. The first place I'd look would be at the reservoir and soft line to the clutch master cylinder.

[101]

+1 on checking the line going to the rear brakes. That's where mine was leaking.

That line is routed with the fuel hard lines amd tucked against the structure of the car. Prime point for dirt and moisture to attack those lines.

[DatUtahGuy]

Thanks forthe ideas guys, I will start looking there and report back

[atldohc]

i once experienced a leak from the proportioning valve which is below/in front of the master and right above the frame rail. http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...53&hg=34&fg=15
number 5 in the pic. might be worth a check

[willworkfore30s]

I would put money on line running to the rear brakes. Next place would be the connections on the master cylinder. Next place would behind the booster. But the drip looks a little far forward for that

[Hey_You]

Start at the top. Check your reservoir, then the soft line, then the hard line going to your pro portioning valve, then the hard line going to your slave. I have replaced all of the above (minus the reservoir and hardline). I have an early model though, so no ABS

[DatUtahGuy]

I havent had the time to work on it yet so n00b question, do I have to remove the fender for any of it?

[101]

No need to take the fender off since the fender support and inner wheel housing would still be in the way.

You will need to get under it. If it winds up being the line to the rear brakes there's no real way to attack it short of putting it on a lift. It's a tough spot.

[shiftbmw]

If you climb under the car and start looking up for leaks, pop on a pair of safety glasses. Brake fluid is nasty stuff and you want it nowhere near your eyes.

[Rose E30]

i once experienced a leak from the proportioning valve which is below/in front of the master and right above the frame rail. http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...53&hg=34&fg=15
number 5 in the pic. might be worth a check

+1 on this. Happened to me and was a real bitch to figure out! I ended up replacing that and the master to fix my break leak. Clean the area, then check for leaks - that way they are easier to spot.