1991 BMW 525i Transmission Leak

ALLSTAR9031

MEMBER
1991 BMW 525I
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
251,000 MILES

Hello,
I just picked up this car yesterday, and while it was at the smog station today I noticed that there was a leak. Only while it was running on the rollers in drive. So my question is, is there a common, or highly likely problem that would be causing this? I would like to try and repair it my self if its not to in-depth, I have ground up experience with american motors, and limited experience with auto transmissions. If its very internal I would just like to be armed with a little insight before I take it to a repair facility.

Thank you !

5 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Hello
Thanks for the donation

Most commonly this would just be the tranny gasket. When it is put in drive this forces pressure on the tranny and in return it is being pushed past the faulty gasket. I suggest replacing gasket.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 24th, 2009 AT 12:51 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Depending on where it is leaking from, if it is leaking from the front pump area, then there could be an issue. Clean and check for where the leak is coming from and repost.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 24th, 2009 AT 1:02 PM

ALLSTAR9031

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you both for the answeres. I will be replacing some parts on the front end this weekend, I will follow your advice and clean it up and see if I can tell where the leak is coming from, and post my findings.

Thanks again !

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 24th, 2009 AT 3:38 PM

ALLSTAR9031

MEMBER
4 POSTS

So I did the front end work and when I was done I steam cleaned the under carrage. When I got home I found A leak, im not sure if it is the one that I was originaly concerned with, but it to is a transmission leak. The retainer holding the feed and return lines to the trans cooler was busted, and the return line ended up against the edge of the cross member where a nice hole eventualy wore into the hard line. But, that leak is on the drivers side, the leak I originaly spoke of appeared to be coming from the passenger side and further back. I'm hoping that they are the same leak and that the steam clean just cleared things up so that the fluid now has an easier path to the ground. I have the replacment line on order, and when I replace that I will steam clean again and see if that was the only leak.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 7:00 PM

ALLSTAR9031