Convertible Leaking Oil Issue - Just bought the car

HHH · Wed, Dec-01-2010, 07:34:12 AM

Hey guys!

I'm new on the forums here and I just bought a 04 e46 m3 convertible with 34k mileage. The car was in excellent condition, I had a PPI done 2 days ago from a dealership up in northern cal. I live in LA so I flew to Oakland today and grabbed the vehicle from the owner. Everything is awesome with the car.

However, I just finally arrived home and was showing my friend the car with the top down - this is the first time I brought the top down since receiving the car. We drove it around with the top down for 2 minutes and put it back up. Then I noticed the most annoying and craziest squeaking, rattling, and creeking from the rear of the convertible top. I can't even explain it!!

So I bring it all the way down again. I noticed behind my left rear headrest there is leaking oil/grease that came from the left rear part of the convertible top. I'm not too sure what to do but I think this is the cause of the issue???? I did notice other forum threads about the rattling/squeaking but the entire time the owner showed me the vehicle today, even the ppi, and even me driving it all the way down from norcal to socal today there was not one squeak until I brought the top down for the first time and now spotted this leak...

Any help would be appreciated, I appreciate any advice you guys can give me... I've definitely contacted the owner about it as he is a good guy and took care of this car like his baby but this is just really popping my balloon right now and I just brought her home..

Thanks

**deilenberger** · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 04:24:03 AM

Sounds like a hydraulic leak. Unless you have lots of experience with rather complex mechanical/hydraulic mechanisms - it's dealer time.

BTW - excessive punctuation looks childish on thread titles and is automatically removed. Save the "!!!!" and "?!?!" for kiddie forums.

K0nArtist · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 06:16:22 AM

Same thing happened to me, I cleaned it off couple of times and it stopped leaking, every since its as good as new and the top works fine.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=293310

MPOWERD · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 06:28:39 AM

That is EXACTLY a hydraulic oil leak from the cylinder on the passenger side. I had the same leak on the drivers side...

The noise you are hearing is due to the gear drive failing under the rear seat. When it fails it makes terrible noises and puts untold pressure on the hydraulic cylinders in the top (especially the ones that move the rear window in and out of the way of the tonneau top for folding the top down and back up again...

I would immediately call the stealership that did the PPI and demand your money back.

Also, make sure you always test the top multiple times when buying a vert!

And PRAY you have the new desgined hydraulic cylinders, because if you have the old ones you will have to change both cylinders and all the lines in the top and you are talking 3000.00 to 4000.00 for the job...

christopherp · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 01:36:46 PM

anyway to do prevantative maintaince on the hydraulic pump? a $3000 bill scares me

bamabluemodena · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 02:47:57 PM

How do you know if you have the new design hydraulic cylinders?

MPOWERD · Sat, Dec-04-2010, 12:57:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamabluemodena

How do you know if you have the new design hydraulic cylinders?

New design are streamlined with each connector being a single piece with the hydraulic cylinder, the old design has a square aluminum block attacded to the hydraulic cylinder and the lines coming into it. (This is all on the drivers side, as the cylinder on the passenger side has less lines running to it)

Those lines have the wrong angles and wrong connectors to fit the new design, according to both BMW Dallas, Classic BMW, and 2 Indys that I took the car to...

I have an extra new set of new design cylinders with lines that I will take a pic of later on tonight and post...

Unfortunately I no longer have the old cylinder to photograph...

Mtroise46 · Sat, Dec-04-2010, 02:02:13 AM

I am mechanically retarded, but I had a 2006 M3 vert that was having a similar "squeak" in the back. I brought it to the dealership and BMW was having a recall for some part in the back seat - don't ask me what. They replaced it at no charge and I never heard the noise again. Is there a way to check a list of recalls somewhere?

HHH · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 03:05:03 PM

Hey guys, just an update..

I took the car yesterday to a local bmw indy shop and the guy there is a certified master tech. They saw the spill and said it was the "tensioner cylinder" that needed replacing. 550 dollars later and the part was replaced. I brought her home yesterday and still heard some squeeking from the back of the convertible. I only here it on potholes, uneven roads, bad roads, etc, when its smooth road there is no squeeks or creaking whatsoever. I think I just have the normal rattles like others who have had convertibles??

NorthJersey M3 · Thu, Dec-02-2010, 03:07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHH

Hey guys, just an update..

I took the car yesterday to a local bmw indy shop and the guy there is a certified master tech. They saw the spill and said it was the "tensioner cylinder" that needed replacing. 550 dollars later and the part was replaced. I brought her home yesterday and still heard some squeeking from the back of the convertible. I only here it on potholes, uneven roads, bad roads, etc, when its smooth road there is no squeeks or creaking whatsoever. I think I just have the normal rattles like others who have had convertibles??

most likely..just keep the rubber seals around the bottom of the top where it meets the car lubed bc when the car flexs it creates friction in those parts that you hear. The body tweaks over uneven roads and potholes and theres no upper structure (pillars and roof) to keep the rigidity as solid as a coupe or sedan

but on a nice day who wants to be like them anyway?

Wed, Dec-01-2010, 07:34:12 AM	#1
HHH Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Reputation: 0	Convertible Leaking Oil Issue - Just bought the car Hey guys! I'm new on the forums here and I just bought a 04 e46 m3 convertible with 34k mileage. The car was in excellent condition, I had a PPI done 2 days ago from a dealership up in northern cal. I live in LA so I flew to Oakland today and grabbed the vehicle from the owner. Everything is awesome with the car. However, I just finally arrived home and was showing my friend the car with the top down - this is the first time I brought the top down since receiving the car. We drove it around with the top down for 2 minutes and put it back up. Then I noticed the most annoying and craziest squeaking, rattling, and creeking from the rear of the convertible top. I can't even explain it!! So I bring it all the way down again. I noticed behind my left rear headrest there is leaking oil/grease that came from the left rear part of the convertible top. I'm not too sure what to do but I think this is the cause of the issue???? I did notice other forum threads about the rattling/squeaking but the entire time the owner showed me the vehicle today, even the ppi, and even me driving it all the way down from norcal to socal today there was not one squeak until I brought the top down for the first time and now spotted this leak... Any help would be appreciated, I appreciate any advice you guys can give me... I've definitely contacted the owner about it as he is a good guy and took care of this car like his baby but this is just really popping my balloon right now and I just brought her home.. Thanks

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 04:24:03 AM	#2
deilenberger Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 13,324 Reputation: 578	Sounds like a hydraulic leak. Unless you have lots of experience with rather complex mechanical/hydraulic mechanisms - it's dealer time. BTW - excessive punctuation looks childish on thread titles and is automatically removed. Save the "!!!!" and "?!?!" for kiddie forums. __________________ Don Eilenberger AKA bellymeisterburgermeister and denilegiiiiiiiiiiiiibennnnegerieragher (but that's misspelled..) 2001 M-Coupe - TiSilver/Black - Das Boot.. 2002 M3C/6 - Imola Red/Black - SOLD 2003 525iT - Green/Tan - SOLD - replaced with Lexus 2006 Cayenne/S - Iceland Silver Metallic/Stone-steel Gray - Truckster. 2007 R1200R - Roadster, black mit/white pinstripes - the REAL BMW.. 2011 Lexus RX-350. SWMBO's new toy.

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 06:16:22 AM	#3
K0nArtist Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 53 Reputation: 0	Same thing happened to me, I cleaned it off couple of times and it stopped leaking, every since its as good as new and the top works fine. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=293310 Last edited by K0nArtist; Thu, Dec-02-2010 at 06:19:53 AM.

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 06:28:39 AM	#4
MPOWERD Mod Hound! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10,724 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Convertible Reputation: 0 Location: Texas	That is EXACTLY a hydraulic oil leak from the cylinder on the passenger side. I had the same leak on the drivers side... The noise you are hearing is due to the gear drive failing under the rear seat. When it fails it makes terrible noises and puts untold pressure on the hydraulic cylinders in the top (especially the ones that move the rear window in and out of the way of the tonneau top for folding the top down and back up again... I would immediately call the stealership that did the PPI and demand your money back. Also, make sure you always test the top multiple times when buying a vert! And PRAY you have the new desgined hydraulic cylinders, because if you have the old ones you will have to change both cylinders and all the lines in the top and you are talking 3000.00 to 4000.00 for the job... __________________ 2003.5 e46 ///M 3 TiAg Cabriolet SMG II... <> CSL Carbon Fiber Intake w/MAF, Brembo Gran Turismo, Euro Headers & Cats, K&N 69, Radenergie Carbon Fiber Strutbar <> EAS Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills, Carbon Fiber Fender Grills, SMG Carbon Fiber Paddles, Vorsteiner 2 Sided CF VCSL Boot <> EAS Slvr Carbon Fiber Interior Trim, Blk Carbon Fiber SMG Dome, Carbon Fiber Console, & Blk/Slvr Steering Wheel Trim <> EAS Carbon Fiber Engine Bay, Vorsteiner Carbon Fiber Valve Cover, RPI Intake Scoops, CarPC w/Nav/MP3/HD Radio/TV <> Eisenmann Race Exhaust, Supersprint X-Pipe with Resonator, Ekarbon 1/2 Carbon Fiber Diffuser, DEPO Smoked Corners <> 19x8.5 19x9.5 VMR V710s in HyperSilver, Painted Corner Reflectors, EAS Carbon Fiber Emblems, Carbon Fiber Hood Vent <> Slvr CF Pedals, OEM 2-Tone Hardtop, Windscreen, & Alarm, 6K Headlights & HID Fogs, Blk Carbon Fiber Headlight Trim Last edited by MPOWERD; Thu, Dec-02-2010 at 06:31:59 AM.

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 01:36:46 PM	#5
christopherp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 807 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Rock Island	anyway to do prevantative maintaince on the hydraulic pump? a $3000 bill scares me __________________ 2005 AW/Cinn 6sp, Vert, oem ZCPs 2001 Mustang Cobra (sold)

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 02:47:57 PM	#6
bamabluemodena Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 107 Reputation: 0 Location: Huntsville	How do you know if you have the new design hydraulic cylinders?

Sat, Dec-04-2010, 02:02:13 AM	#8
Mtroise46 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 229 In the garage: '03 BMW M5 '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 11 Location: Malvern	I am mechanically retarded, but I had a 2006 M3 vert that was having a similar "squeak" in the back. I brought it to the dealership and BMW was having a recall for some part in the back seat - don't ask me what. They replaced it at no charge and I never heard the noise again. Is there a way to check a list of recalls somewhere?

Thu, Dec-02-2010, 03:05:03 PM	#9
HHH Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 15 Reputation: 0	Hey guys, just an update.. I took the car yesterday to a local bmw indy shop and the guy there is a certified master tech. They saw the spill and said it was the "tensioner cylinder" that needed replacing. 550 dollars later and the part was replaced. I brought her home yesterday and still heard some squeeking from the back of the convertible. I only here it on potholes, uneven roads, bad roads, etc, when its smooth road there is no squeeks or creaking whatsoever. I think I just have the normal rattles like others who have had convertibles??

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