Is this oil or DCT fluid

[gtadude543]

I just bought a e90 M3 yesterday and I saw a spot of oil on the ground this morning. The spot is towards the front of the car. I smelled it and it didn’t have a smell. The previous owner told me that the cars oil pan gasket has not been replaced yet. Is this oil or could it possibly be DCT fluid.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by gtadude543

I just bought a e90 M3 yesterday and I saw a spot of oil on the ground this morning. The spot is towards the front of the car. I smelled it and it didn't have a smell. The previous owner told me that the cars oil pan gasket has not been replaced yet. Is this oil or could it possibly be DCT fluid.

Looks like oil. Check if that plug is snug. But don't over tighten, should be only 18ft lbs. Did you get a PPI? Hopefully the plugs are not stripped as it's fairly easy to do.

Check both plugs.

[gtadude543]

I didn’t get a PPI because the guy had a lot of maintenance records he provided. I was aware that the oil pan gasket had not been replaced.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by gtadude543

I didn't get a PPI because the guy had a lot of maintenance records he provided. I was aware that the oil pan gasket had not been replaced.

How many miles on the car? Check the plugs that concentrated drip looks like the plug vs a leaky gasket.

The concern is if that plug is stripped its ~$1500 for a new oil pan, possible other solutions as well depending on severity. The pan is aluminum and I believe it's easy to cross thread the plugs and strip the threads or even crack the pan.

I think the DTC bottom cover is prone to weeping, not dripping. But I would defer to DTC owners.

[pjk380]

I agree, looks like oil. You should not have to replace an oil pan gasket. Are the valve covers leaking?

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by DRLane

How many miles on the car? Check the plugs that concentrated drip looks like the plug vs a leaky gasket.

The concern is if that plug is stripped its ~$1500 for a new oil pan, possible other solutions as well depending on severity. The pan is aluminum and I believe it's easy to cross thread the plugs and strip the threads or even crack the pan.

I think the DTC bottom cover is prone to weeping, not dripping. But I would defer to DTC owners.

The car has 115k miles. And had the valve cover gasket done 5k miles ago

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by pjk380

I agree, looks like oil. You should not have to replace an oil pan gasket. Are the valve covers leaking?

The valve cover gasket was changed 5k miles ago and I didn’t notice any leaks. I can send a pic if you’d like.

[DRLane]

If you can get under the car, definitely capture a picture.

[roastbeef]

Drop that aluminum skid plate and look around.

[Helmsman]

If you have access to a lift ypu can even peek in under the DCT cover and see if there is a leak. Def if its big enough to spill over to the floor.

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

If you have access to a lift ypu can even peek in under the DCT cover and see if there is a leak. Def if its big enough to spill over to the floor.

You think it’s DCT fluid?

[irokwrx]

Looks too far forward to be DCT and the looks of it .... it looks like oil. What part of Md are you in?

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by irokwrx

Looks too far forward to be DCT and the looks of it .... it looks like oil. What part of Md are you in?

I’m in Columbia. Why?

[gtadude543]

Btw I just checked the cars service records and the oil pan gasket was actually replaced at 82k along with rod bearings.

[irokwrx]

[QUOTE Why?[/QUOTE]

If you were close was going to look at it to try to pinpoint it. Hope you find the source of the leak!

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by irokwrx

[QUOTE Why?

If you were close was going to look at it to try to pinpoint it. Hope you find the source of the leak![/QUOTE]

What area are you in?

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by gtadude543

Btw I just checked the cars service records and the oil pan gasket was actually replaced at 82k along with rod bearings.

Yes the gasket is required to be replaced when you drop the oil pan to replace the rod bearings. That's great news those were replaced (rod bearings).

Definitely find the source or that leak.

[DanMpower]

That's a lot of oil to be dripping overnight, definitely not a DCT leak because the transmission is located further back. Under the DCT pan is a felt/plastic cover that acts as a drip collector, so even if your DCT was weeping fluid it's mostly caught and will pool in that plastic undertray.

I didn't even know both my DCT E9x M3s had leaking mechatronic covers until I I dropped that plastic tranny cover and found DCT fluid pooling, the bottom of the car was bone dry. My guess is a stripped oil drain plug like some have mentioned, unfortunately, that could potentially be a nightmare repair.

[Ximian]

No way that's DCT fluid. The puddle is literally below one of the oil drain plugs.

[gtadude543]

Originally Posted by DRLane

Yes the gasket is required to be replaced when you drop the oil pan to replace the rod bearings. That's great news those were replaced (rod bearings).

Definitely find the source or that leak.

Yea the car has BE rod bearings

[jun_e92]

It should be that the drain plug has been peeled off. Purchase this TIME-SERT M12 X 1.50 metric drain plug repair kit. It can be solved. good luck!

[irokwrx]

Originally Posted by gtadude543

If you were close was going to look at it to try to pinpoint it. Hope you find the source of the leak!

What area are you in?[/QUOTE]

Bowie! Happy to help. Just pm if you want a hand