DCT leak, symptoms?

MikeHawk7 · 04-02-2018, 04:59 AM

When I got a pre-purchase inspection on my M, I was told there was a small DCT leak from the pan. What kind of symptoms can I expect as the fluid gets lower?

Helmsman · 04-02-2018, 06:03 AM

Mike, 9 liter of fluid in the system so will take for ever before any signs at all. If you don't have any history/how long it has been leaking, it may be worth having a top up. That is assuming its the "normal" tiny leak, otherwise you need to repack sealing. Depending on top/side/bottom sealing that can be quite costly.

roastbeef · 04-02-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Mike, 9 liter of fluid in the system so will take for ever before any signs at all. If you don't have any history/how long it has been leaking, it may be worth having a top up. That is assuming its the "normal" tiny leak, otherwise you need to repack sealing. Depending on top/side/bottom sealing that can be quite costly.

This. It's very slow seepage rather than a leak.

Maybe get a quick quote on a repair and use that as leverage to negotiate a little more.

SYT_Shadow · 04-02-2018, 07:54 AM

pretty much all the DCT's out there are leaking slowly and there aren't symptoms. It isn't a matter of 'leaking', it's more like 'seeping'

Eventually you'd get a DCT error and you'd have to refill

Patrón · 04-02-2018, 10:06 AM

it also leaks from the top, which is often mistaken for the side and pan leaks.

Helmsman · 04-02-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrón

it also leaks from the top, which is often mistaken for the side and pan leaks.

Correctomundo, which is what mine did, first round. New box now leaking from...somewhere else. Goddammit....

///M Power-Belgium · 04-02-2018, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Correctomundo, which is what mine did, first round. New box now leaking from...somewhere else. Goddammit....

Wow !

Helmsman · 04-02-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Wow !

Yep, they seem to hold uo around 20k km before they start show sign of seeping...

///M Power-Belgium · 04-02-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Yep, they seem to hold uo around 20k km before they start show sign of seeping...

Sounds like another design curse from BMW !

MikeHawk7 · 04-02-2018, 11:24 PM

Yeah, I imagine seeping would be more like it. I haven't personally checked it, but "leaking" was the word they used.

I do plan on doing a fluid & pan change eventually anyway, but I have other maintenance items to prioritize unless a DCT error or "symptoms" show up first. Since it sounds like there aren't really any symptoms and it's slow seepage, it's good to know I have more time.

Thanks for all of the info!

Helmsman · 04-03-2018, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Sounds like another design curse from BMW !

For sure Phil. Back to the dealer after 20k km (and 2.5y so after warr.) the manager kindly educated me: "The M parts are so tightly designed so you have to count with a certain fluid leakage". Yes, this is what the mgr for Swedens largest BMW garage claimed.
Have to assume this goes along with BMWs attitude and training of their dealers. Which is one reason to why I nurse my dear M3 as my last BMW.

Because except for a few well defined issues/wear items one must say that the E9M holds up bloody great.

///M Power-Belgium · 04-03-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

For sure Phil. Back to the dealer after 20k km (and 2.5y so after warr.) the manager kindly educated me: "The M parts are so tightly designed so you have to count with a certain fluid leakage". Yes, this is what the mgr for Swedens largest BMW garage claimed.
Have to assume this goes along with BMWs attitude and training of their dealers. Which is one reason to why I nurse my dear M3 as my last BMW.

Because except for a few well defined issues/wear items one must say that the E9M holds up bloody great.

I see the situation . Please tell the manager that you understand why our S65 bearings are tightly designed too

Helmsman · 04-04-2018, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I see the situation . Please tell the manager that you understand why our S65 bearings are tightly designed too

Hahaha! Touche...

Heres another one Phil: So after this second round of what I judged as mistreatment I decided to post a little article on the subject in the main Swedish bimmer forum. In order to make sure I got everything wright and avoid unfair miscred I forwarded it to the dealer top boss for comments/adjustments. You think he cared at all? No sir.

///M Power-Belgium · 04-04-2018, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Hahaha! Touche...

Heres another one Phil: So after this second round of what I judged as mistreatment I decided to post a little article on the subject in the main Swedish bimmer forum. In order to make sure I got everything wright and avoid unfair miscred I forwarded it to the dealer top boss for comments/adjustments. You think he cared at all? No sir.

I'm not surprised . All that matters is financial speculation ...

04-02-2018, 04:59 AM	#1
MikeHawk7 Private First Class 90 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2013 M3: E92, ZCP, DCT Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2003 BMW 530i [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2016 BMW i3 REx [0.00]	DCT leak, symptoms? When I got a pre-purchase inspection on my M, I was told there was a small DCT leak from the pan. What kind of symptoms can I expect as the fluid gets lower? __________________ -Mike M. 2013 M3 [E92, Alpine White, ZCP, DCT] 2016 i3 REx [Tera World, Capparis White]
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04-02-2018, 06:03 AM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4465 Rep 7,109 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Mike, 9 liter of fluid in the system so will take for ever before any signs at all. If you don't have any history/how long it has been leaking, it may be worth having a top up. That is assuming its the "normal" tiny leak, otherwise you need to repack sealing. Depending on top/side/bottom sealing that can be quite costly.
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04-02-2018, 07:54 AM	#4
SYT_Shadow ///M Powered for Life 11480 Rep 10,328 Posts Drives: E90M/E92M/M4GTS/M4GT4/X5M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greenwich, CT iTrader: (2)	pretty much all the DCT's out there are leaking slowly and there aren't symptoms. It isn't a matter of 'leaking', it's more like 'seeping' Eventually you'd get a DCT error and you'd have to refill __________________ DIY: S65 Rod Bearings E9X PFC Z54 BBK on F8X BK harness bar + seats: fit 6 tires in an M3 do88 Cooling Goodies GTS Twins: GTMore project
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04-02-2018, 10:06 AM	#5
Patrón PAZUZU 545 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: '15 M4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	it also leaks from the top, which is often mistaken for the side and pan leaks. __________________ 2009 M3 DCT ESS625+ SOLD 2015 M4 BSM/Silverstone F4LCON @texasMclub IG @jagemoets
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04-02-2018, 11:24 PM	#10
MikeHawk7 Private First Class 90 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2013 M3: E92, ZCP, DCT Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2003 BMW 530i [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2016 BMW i3 REx [0.00]	Yeah, I imagine seeping would be more like it. I haven't personally checked it, but "leaking" was the word they used. I do plan on doing a fluid & pan change eventually anyway, but I have other maintenance items to prioritize unless a DCT error or "symptoms" show up first. Since it sounds like there aren't really any symptoms and it's slow seepage, it's good to know I have more time. Thanks for all of the info! __________________ -Mike M. 2013 M3 [E92, Alpine White, ZCP, DCT] 2016 i3 REx [Tera World, Capparis White]
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