Steering Fluid Spill at the Track?

rzm3 · 07-01-2010, 10:43 PM

I know that many of you have experienced this at the track... due to the small vent on the cap... (if you have not, you are driving too slowly

)

Question is: what's the best solution to prevent the spill?

I see that the M3 GT4 and Turner's M3 both have some type of tube that's connected to the cap. Has anyone tried this?

FrenchBoy · 07-01-2010, 11:00 PM

This thing has been plaguing me for months. I am sick of wiping the engine compartment after each session at the track.

I like Turner's solution. I have been thinking about doing the same thing. Seems like a simple, cheap and effective solution. I just need to go and measure the OD of the small hole in the cap, then order a T shape fitting (something like this) and some tubing.

You can't see where the tube in Turner's car goes but it seems like the GT4 has just a long tube to absorb the excess fluid. I was thinking of getting a small high temp plastic bottle that the tube would attach to, and zip tie it inside the engine bay.

I will try to work on that and report back.

aus · 07-01-2010, 11:36 PM

I beleive the GTS has a steering fluid cooler. Just another option.
How stupid was it of BMW to place the pump right next to the headers???

rzm3 · 07-02-2010, 12:06 AM

I am not sure if it's actually a boiling problem...

To me it's just fluid coming out due to high g forces.

noxredna · 07-02-2010, 11:42 AM

I think the issue comes from both high temperature and g-forces..

I have had that issue for a while, what I do is wrap the fluid cap with a small cloth and put a really tight rubber band over it to prevent it from spilling or to at least absorb the fluid when it spills.

Honestly - no big deal. Just wipe it off at the end of the day.. the fluid does not drop below the minimum level anyway, you can check it with the mini dipstick they have attached to the cap.

FruitCake · 07-02-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noxredna

I think the issue comes from both high temperature and g-forces..

I have had that issue for a while, what I do is wrap the fluid cap with a small cloth and put a really tight rubber band over it to prevent it from spilling or to at least absorb the fluid when it spills.

Honestly - no big deal. Just wipe it off at the end of the day.. the fluid does not drop below the minimum level anyway, you can check it with the mini dipstick they have attached to the cap.

thats actually a very very good idea.
Is there any harm from steering fluid anyways if it spills?
i've been very anal about it and wiping it up after every session, it gets quite annoying tho.

consolidated · 07-02-2010, 01:27 PM

Like on a racebikes remote reservoir, I have a terry cloth sweat wristband around the cap held on with a zip tie. I do the same for the brake fluid res. cap on the racecar.

Gotta keep it on there securely, so no rubberband for me, hate for it to somehow find it's way into something moving.

rzm3 · 07-02-2010, 09:04 PM

thanks guys for the info!

Richbot · 07-03-2010, 09:16 AM

That was my first thought as well, very common solution on racecars is just to wrap a shop towel or other rag around it and zip tie it in place. In my case I have them wrapped around my clutch MC and both brake master cylinders to prevent any escaping fluid from getting on my feet and on the pedals which would be scary, but people do it with production cars all the time too. See every "tuner" honda for a while, they call them MC condoms. Steering fluid is usually very similar to ATF, don't know what they use on the M3's.

consolidated · 07-03-2010, 09:50 AM

Anyone know why Turner taped off the hood intake vent?

raiste · 07-07-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Anyone know why Turner taped off the hood intake vent?

I was wondering the same thing myself.

.

gr8000 · 07-07-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

I beleive the GTS has a steering fluid cooler. Just another option.

I thought the M3 has a (small) steering fluid cooler (like a stick inbetween the engine coolant and engine oil coolers)

Gearhead999s · 07-07-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Anyone know why Turner taped off the hood intake vent?

If you saw the air restrictor that they have to run in the intake,you would know why they are trying to presurize the air box.this is mandated by the class rules.

Definitive · 07-07-2010, 02:43 PM

In that last pic it just looks like the tube is 8 inches long and then capped...

D

07-01-2010, 10:43 PM	#1
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	Steering Fluid Spill at the Track? I know that many of you have experienced this at the track... due to the small vent on the cap... (if you have not, you are driving too slowly ) Question is: what's the best solution to prevent the spill? I see that the M3 GT4 and Turner's M3 both have some type of tube that's connected to the cap. Has anyone tried this? Attached Images
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07-01-2010, 11:00 PM	#2
FrenchBoy Lieutenant Colonel 234 Rep 1,508 Posts Drives: '16 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	This thing has been plaguing me for months. I am sick of wiping the engine compartment after each session at the track. I like Turner's solution. I have been thinking about doing the same thing. Seems like a simple, cheap and effective solution. I just need to go and measure the OD of the small hole in the cap, then order a T shape fitting (something like this) and some tubing. You can't see where the tube in Turner's car goes but it seems like the GT4 has just a long tube to absorb the excess fluid. I was thinking of getting a small high temp plastic bottle that the tube would attach to, and zip tie it inside the engine bay. I will try to work on that and report back. __________________ Current: 2016 F80 M3 6-Speed \| SO \| AB XT1 \| ZCP \| M Performance Suspension \| GC Camber Plates Previous: 2009 E90 M3
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07-01-2010, 11:36 PM	#3
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	I beleive the GTS has a steering fluid cooler. Just another option. How stupid was it of BMW to place the pump right next to the headers??? __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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07-02-2010, 12:06 AM	#4
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	I am not sure if it's actually a boiling problem... To me it's just fluid coming out due to high g forces.
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07-02-2010, 11:42 AM	#5
noxredna Captain 63 Rep 672 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 M3, 1M, F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore & San Fransisco iTrader: (0)	I think the issue comes from both high temperature and g-forces.. I have had that issue for a while, what I do is wrap the fluid cap with a small cloth and put a really tight rubber band over it to prevent it from spilling or to at least absorb the fluid when it spills. Honestly - no big deal. Just wipe it off at the end of the day.. the fluid does not drop below the minimum level anyway, you can check it with the mini dipstick they have attached to the cap.
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07-02-2010, 01:27 PM	#7
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Like on a racebikes remote reservoir, I have a terry cloth sweat wristband around the cap held on with a zip tie. I do the same for the brake fluid res. cap on the racecar. Gotta keep it on there securely, so no rubberband for me, hate for it to somehow find it's way into something moving. __________________ F80 M3 / Mineral Grey-Silverstone / CCB
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07-02-2010, 09:04 PM	#8
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	thanks guys for the info!
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07-03-2010, 09:16 AM	#9
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	That was my first thought as well, very common solution on racecars is just to wrap a shop towel or other rag around it and zip tie it in place. In my case I have them wrapped around my clutch MC and both brake master cylinders to prevent any escaping fluid from getting on my feet and on the pedals which would be scary, but people do it with production cars all the time too. See every "tuner" honda for a while, they call them MC condoms. Steering fluid is usually very similar to ATF, don't know what they use on the M3's. __________________
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07-03-2010, 09:50 AM	#10
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Anyone know why Turner taped off the hood intake vent? __________________ F80 M3 / Mineral Grey-Silverstone / CCB
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07-07-2010, 02:43 PM	#14
Definitive definitivecars.com 353 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: Elsa - 2015 F80 M3 - YMB/SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [6.66] 2009 (Lease up Sept ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up 6/19 ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up Octo ... [0.00]	In that last pic it just looks like the tube is 8 inches long and then capped... D
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