How this happen!?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Sun Apr 18, 2010 4:52 pm

Took the sport out today to give it a good clean after been parked up for soooo long!..Theres a little puddle of "green" substance in the footwell! (bareing in mind the cars been parked in the garage! so theres no liquid for anywhere!!)..

Can anyone shed some light on this as im going nuts trying to figure it out!..I've even ripped up the carpet and theres nothing. so i jacked it up and still nothing!!.. took a pic of the puddle! lol

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2963/img2848.jpg
Guest

Sun Apr 18, 2010 4:59 pm

Could be clutch fluid
User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:12 pm

you serious?! how the :cens: get there!?..but i haven't even driven the car!! :?
beemerbird
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 8620
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Suffolk

Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:15 pm

Have a feel up the clutch pedal and stem, and see if there is any liquid on it.
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
pac1982
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5330
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: isle of wight

Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:25 pm

The clutch seals could have perished while it was sitting up, or it may have been on its way out before you laid it up
Image

1991 BMW E30 318i Neon Design Convertible (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 325i Touring (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 318IS (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 316i (RIP)
User avatar
Rich_W
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2932
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:02 pm

Maybe a STD discharge?
ian332isport
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 5380
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: West Sussex
Contact:

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:22 pm

Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
If it aint broke - Modify it...
M3Jim
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sussex

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:43 pm

ian332isport wrote:Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
Well said! That would be my guess.
mhuk
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 478
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Heathrow Airport

Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:55 pm

prob from the heater matrix up inside the dash.
Triumph Spitfire MKIV
BMW E30 325i 4dr rightness
SUbaru Justy Gen2 AWD
User avatar
Rich_W
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2932
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:08 pm

ian332isport wrote:Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
What colour is your coolant?
ian332isport
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 5380
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: West Sussex
Contact:

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:02 pm

Rich_W wrote:
ian332isport wrote:Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
What colour is your coolant?
Green.....
If it aint broke - Modify it...
User avatar
Rich_W
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2932
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:12 pm

Mines Blue. Genuine BMW stuff
B7
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 15846
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Surrey / West Sussex

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:18 pm

Drivers foot well or passengers???? My moneys on the passengers and it being the heater valve.
B7's Motto. "If it's French, BURN IT!!!!!!"
Rav335uk
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 27985
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mad mad mad
Contact:

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:26 pm

Heater box foobared :o
Image
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:42 pm

ian332isport wrote:Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
yep my money is on the heater matrix.
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
pac1982
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5330
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: isle of wight

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:51 pm

ian332isport wrote:Since when has clutch fluid been green ?

It's most likely coolant leaking from the heater/heater valve.

Ian
TBH the thought had crossed my mind but i'm no expert, heater matrix could end up being more costly and time consuming than the bloody clutch!
xavi1980
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 508
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: worthing

Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:51 pm

its coolant i bet and on passenger side, more likely to be hose going into heater matrix
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:47 pm

i'd rather change a heater matrix than a clutch master cylinder.
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
RM2186
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4511
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Washington, Tyne & Wear

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:49 pm

It'll be the heater control valve, happened to me 2 weeks ago :(
1987 Tech1 325i Sport

Image
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:52 pm

neither are hard jobs tbh
ross_jsy
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7307
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Jersey, C.I.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:33 pm

And I have a whole heater matrix sitting here if you need parts
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:33 am

Simon13 wrote:neither are hard jobs tbh
unless its a left hooker matrix.
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
Rav335uk
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 27985
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mad mad mad
Contact:

Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:16 am

Took the sport out today
Right hand drive Mick :mad:
Image
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:52 pm

cheers ppl!!..im a novice to this stuff!!..i don't know what the heater matrix is! but the heaters all work! lol :mad: theres nothing leaking from anywhere!! its all dry!! :?
Rav335uk
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 27985
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mad mad mad
Contact:

Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:08 pm

Heater matrix is behind the Dash, you can get access to it by reoving the Glovebox and all the inside plastics, then you'll see if it's leaking or not as the to pipes come in there from the bulkhead.
Image
If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
User avatar
toby
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3609
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Kent

Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:26 pm

The main question is....... Is your coolant green? If so then it's likely to be the coolant leaking.

It's the valve that is the likely candidate.
Have a look at this thread as there's a picture of that part.
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... trol+valve
As you open the glovebox, it's hidden behind the trim on the right. It's easiest to strip out all the centre console trim - handbrake, gear stick gaiter and console.
Image
User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:47 pm

jesus christ!..didn't think it involved that much!!..But coming to think of it!!..I don't have any floor matts as the battyman i brought the car from took em out! :-x lol..so i've got a mechanic paper cover sheet as a floor matt as a temporary measure, so in turn if something was leaking from above by the glove box it wouldn't go through the paper! (the papers bone dry by the way)..it would just float on top!!.. :cool: ..what you lot make of that?!!?
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:11 pm

it's getting under the carpet from the matrix.if you push down on the carpet is your hand wet?
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
pac1982
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5330
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: isle of wight

Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:11 pm

It doesnt drip down on to the carpet it leaks down along the metal under the carpet and creats a pool on the floor giving you the wet carpet you are seeing
Image

1991 BMW E30 318i Neon Design Convertible (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 325i Touring (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 318IS (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 316i (RIP)
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:42 pm

Does the car have A/C?

A/C systems sometimes have dye in them to see where leaks come from and the dye is normaly green.

Coolant is most likely thing though.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Tue Apr 20, 2010 11:55 am

no matey it doesnt have A/C. I checked the carpet this morning and its dry now! nothings leaking!..Does that mean its empty!? wiped out all the coolant?! lol..
ross_jsy
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7307
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Jersey, C.I.

Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:12 pm

Well open your bonnet and check your coolant header tank.

Report back if it is green, it will help us rule out one thing if it isn't.
User avatar
god-father88
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 399
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:09 pm

okie doke!..err which ones that one?! 8O im not very technical when it comes to cars! winkeye
ross_jsy
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7307
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Jersey, C.I.

Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:22 pm

If the car is facelift it will be on the bottom right of the bonnet. Looking for an opaque bottle with some hoses going to it. I believe on prefacelifts they are top left of the bonnet, although I am sure someone will be along to confirm.

If you are going to undo the plastic screw cap, make sure the coolant is cold or it will bubble boiling coolant all over you and hurt a lot.

Good luck.
mrLEE30
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 6589
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Sweating buckets in Bahrain

Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:17 pm

just to throw a spanner in the works....i reckon its the fluid from the headlight adjust system......

now then to the issue at hand... read this first..

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _Servicing

here you can see pics of the engine bay for both the older and newer 325's. opne the one marked "expansion bottle" when the car is cold. what do you see inside?? is it half full (as it should be?) or is ir bone dry?? if it is bone dry then you need to get some fluid in there ASAP - worst case tap water - but this is not good for the thing..but better then nothing

then report back
Image
Post Reply