What is this fluid leak/575?

Going into the 575s Garage for the first time in a couple of months, I noticed this big area of damp underneath the front passenger side (it’s a right-hand drive car) wheel area.

It wasn’t a pool, more a patch, although depending on the evaporative qualities of whatever fluid it is, it might have been a pool formed after I last drove the car a couple of months back.

Robbing my finger on the ground, it’s clearest (can’t tell if it had any colour) and slightly oily, but not engine oil I don’t think.

As you can tell, I am no mechanic.
The source seems to be somewhere under the bonnet nearest that wheel. The area under the centre of the car is completely dry.

I attached a couple of badly lit pictures, both of the size of the patch and the trail.. I would like to get an idea of what this might be before working out whether it’s safe to drive the car, to my service agent.

Thank you in advance
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I cannot see a thing in your pictures. If you are speaking of the left side the most common source of fluid leakage getting the wheel well area wet is the low pressure power steering hoses. They are junk. I use Aeroquip rubber hose. It high quality and inexpensive. I am not at work to look it up but I believe it is their AQP hose.

 

Thank you, Brian. And you are right about my pictures, apologies. There isn’t proper lighting at the moment in the garage. Thank you for the advice on the replacement brand.

If it is a PAS leak, is it safe to drive the car 10 miles to the dealership? Beyond suddenly getting no assist on the steering?

 

Did you check your p/s fluid reservoir level? And other fluids?

 

Darius- That is also near the AC evaporator drain hose. You might have your tech check and make sure it is flowing freely with no clogs, cracks or splits.

 

Leaking shock??

 

with the undertray attached, it could have come from anywhere.

mine was power steering fluid(high pressure), local hose specialist replacement was of a much higher quality.

 

The leaks will be much slower than that. It just oozes out everywhere. If the reservoir is up when you leave it will be fine.
If you take it to the dealer I am afraid you will be getting more of the same expensive low quality hose.

 

I'd put my money on the power steering hose also. I don't know what it is , but that resevoir is the same in my 575 , BMW and 928 and they all leak around where the hose leaves the resevoir.

 

Thank you, everyone. I will top everything up and make the trip. Brian, thank you also again, fortunately the place I use will fit good quality alternative parts also.

Given that it's now winter, I will probably wait til the MOT is due and also the annual service in March so I only make one trip. Then I will report back. I suspect it may also be cambelt change time. How the years go by..

 

By the way , those resevoirs are quite reasonably priced and contain an integral filter. Might be a good idea to replace it while your at it...

ZF 32411097164, 1050901 Power Steering Reservoir; With Integral Filter SKU: 1263383-32411097164 - BMW, Mini, Porsche | 32410141426 32411124680 32412227264 32416851217