Re: E30 fluid on the drivers side

[Stas Lotyczewski <slotyczewski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, Rick.

The fluid is almost certainly brake fluid.  It's coming from 
either the clutch master cylinder, the hose leading from the 
brake fluid reservoir, or (check this carefully!) a li'l 
plastic angled fitting between the hose and the clutch master 
cylinder.  Very inexpensive part (like $1.83), but easy to 
overlook if your mindset is geared toward the more pricey stuff 
once you're in diagnostic mode.  I know whereof I speak: this 
little doober on my daughter's car 318i led to replacement of 
(deep breath) the brake master cylinder, vacuum booster, one of 
the brake calipers (munged the bleeder), the clutch master, 
and the clutch slave.

Not one of my better days.  S'what I get for believing the 
(UK version) Haynes manual I read that the clutch hydraulic 
system had its own reservoir.  And so it does -- on right-
hand-drive cars.

Brake fluid is corrosive, so try to do a pretty good cleanup 
around the footwell area.

Best,
Stas

> ... I found, from what I could tell, a structurally sound 
> floorboard but a very damp rubber > mat and floor covered 
> in a viscous, almost oily, non-smelly fluid.  
> 
> Rick
> '89 325ix
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