[OdieDad]

I noticed fluid leaking from the underside of the rear of my 2014 X3. Opened the hatch, removed the floor liners and saw red liquid around the battery compartment as well. Any idea what this could be? Nothing leaking by the rear axel. Thanks for any help.

[ClutchFC]

Leaking battery? Strange spot to see fluid there. Also, that red plug in your battery isn’t supposed to be there (someone correct me if I’m wrong). There should be a vent hose that pushes into where that plug is and vents whatever the battery emits. The hose should route somewhere on the left side of the battery, roughly on the left side (or drivers side) of the “compartment” the battery sits in.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by ClutchFC

Leaking battery? Strange spot to see fluid there. Also, that red plug in your battery isn’t supposed to be there (someone correct me if I’m wrong). There should be a vent hose that pushes into where that plug is and vents whatever the battery emits. The hose should route somewhere on the left side of the battery, roughly on the left side (or drivers side) of the “compartment” the battery sits in.

I've never seen red battery fluid, it's typically clear, as well being acid, the smell would be really strong/toxic and it's be eating away at the paint. I think someone spilled some trans fluid in there, strange though because the ZF trans fluid isn't red, so who knows

Batteries typically have a vent on each side so depending which side the vent hose is on the vehicle, the opposite side gets a plug.

[OdieDad]

Checked and the vent hose for the battery was not connected. This Pic is the right side of the battery looking forward. Found this threaded hole and o ring with nothing connected. The washer fluid is red. Was told that my father in law used the vehicle at his dealership and would transport oil and other fluids. We cleaned up the excess and I guess will wait and see if it leaks more.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by OdieDad

Checked and the vent hose for the battery was not connected. This Pic is the right side of the battery looking forward. Found this threaded hole and o ring with nothing connected. The washer fluid is red. Was told that my father in law used the vehicle at his dealership and would transport oil and other fluids. We cleaned up the excess and I guess will wait and see if it leaks more.

The threaded hole is for the next size up battery.
Was the red fluid slippery like oil or like watery washer fluid?
Never seen red washer fluid, only blue or orange rain x brand.
No idea what the o-ring is for, maybe nothing to do with anything back there

[OdieDad]

Originally Posted by pungo

The threaded hole is for the next size up battery.
Was the red fluid slippery like oil or like watery washer fluid?
Never seen red washer fluid, only blue or orange rain x brand.
No idea what the o-ring is for, maybe nothing to do with anything back there

It definitely feels oily, almost like a hydraulic fluid. Just completely dumbfounded by why it would be inside of the vehicle.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Def strange location for red fluid...as we know Power Steering, and Trans are red...but not in that location. Weird.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Def strange location for red fluid...as we know Power Steering, and Trans are red...but not in that location. Weird.

The F25 X3 has electric power steering so it doesn't take fluid
As I already mentioned, the X3 ZF trans fluid isn't red
My guess, there was a jug of red trans fluid for some other vehicle in that area that leaked.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by pungo

The F25 X3 has electric power steering so it does take fluid
As I already mentioned, the X3 ZF trans fluid isn't red
My guess, there was a jug of red trans fluid for some other vehicle in that area that leaked.

you meant to write it doesn't take fluid because F25 is equipped with electric steering... correct?


if your FIL used the vehicle to transport fluids, it's most likely the cause behind this mysterious fluid location

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by pungo

The F25 X3 has electric power steering so it does take fluid
As I already mentioned, the X3 ZF trans fluid isn't red
My guess, there was a jug of red trans fluid for some other vehicle in that area that leaked.

Learned something new!

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Learned something new!

everyday, all-day, stay active. Online and Offline

[collin kurtcher]

Originally Posted by OdieDad

I noticed fluid leaking from the underside of the rear of my 2014 X3. Opened the hatch, removed the floor liners and saw red liquid around the battery compartment as well. Any idea what this could be? Nothing leaking by the rear axel. Thanks for any help.

I’d recommend checking the washer fluid lines and connections around the rear hatch area.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

you meant to write it doesn't take fluid because F25 is equipped with electric steering... correct?

Correct, good catch...
I fixed it.

[Highline-Autos.com]

Originally Posted by pungo

The F25 X3 has electric power steering so it doesn't take fluid

I'm trying to wrap my head around this, there are still mechanical gears applying the "pressure" and moving the steering arms back and forth, there has to be some lubrication in the system...???

Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777