Fluid leak!

[Cggennis]

Hi, my z3 has been sitting for winter outside, I’ve recently gone to see it and there is yellow brown fluid running from below the car and also rainbows in the water which could be petrol. (The fluid and rainbows are definitely from the car) thanks you appreciate the help

 

[t-tony]

Which end of the car is the liquid appearing at? If it has no smell chances are it is coolant if it is at the front end.

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

Which end of the car is the liquid appearing at? If it has no smell chances are it is coolant if it is at the front end.

Tony.

Looking at the cover ot looks like the rear Tony, you can just see the rear light cluster ... I think.

 

[t-tony]

Now I’m inside, out of the sun I can see you’re right Andy. I think it needs unwrapping to get to the bottom of that.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

I would have said just by looking at the picture that it's an oil based product like diff , gearbox , engine and power steering has .
In the picture looks emulsified a bit fuel doesn't tend to go like that. ( you would smell fuel more too )
Definitely needs looking at though .

Stephen.

 

[Cggennis]

Yeah it’s the rear and it looks like some sort of coolant. I’m going to get it on a dry surface and see where it drips in correlation with the floor. Any other ideas for diagnosing would be much appreciated. By the way the car seems to start up first time b it the fuel level is very low as it’s sitting. Thank you

 

[colb]

You don't say what engine model you have but usual oil leaks are cam cover gasket and oil filter to engine block gasket going bad, sump pan gasket could also be a suspect as can the front crankshaft seal. Unlikely to have a leak from the gearbox unless the front or rear oil seals have gone bad the filler and drain plugs are taper threaded and remain tight. Diff leaks should be easy to spot, they did use alloy sealing washers on the diff and I have seen these reduced to lace so there is a leak possibility there. BMW's fill for life ethos for gearbox and diff usually mean neither have ever had oil changes during their life. First thing I did with both my Z3 and Z4 was to change all fluids, I then knew what was in each componant.

 

[Cggennis]

You don't say what engine model you have but usual oil leaks are cam cover gasket and oil filter to engine block gasket going bad, sump pan gasket could also be a suspect as can the front crankshaft seal. Unlikely to have a leak from the gearbox unless the front or rear oil seals have gone bad the filler and drain plugs are taper threaded and remain tight. Diff leaks should be easy to spot, they did use alloy sealing washers on the diff and I have seen these reduced to lace so there is a leak possibility there. BMW's fill for life ethos for gearbox and diff usually mean neither have ever had oil changes during their life. First thing I did with both my Z3 and Z4 was to change all fluids, I then knew what was in each componant.

Perfect thank you very much for the help, my plan is to change all fluid for peace of mind anyway. Thank you