Found my Differential to be leaking :(

[aclockwrk]

I had both of mine replaced last week on my 2015 with 1 month left on warranty. I noticed some oil on the bolts. Caught it before it got bad enough to drip.

[behindthen0thing]

I noticed mine has the same seepage on the passenger side of diff. I'm out of warranty. what parts do they replace and how much labor are they charging?

[AJJ3]

How much does this cost to fix outside of warranty?

[fknlo]

Originally Posted by AJJ3

How much does this cost to fix outside of warranty?

I can't imagine it would be all that cheap. I took mine in on the last day of the warranty for a slight leak from the passenger side of the diff and they had the car for a week as it was way more work than they thought it would be.

[longlasting]

My car is at the dealer right now for my diff leaking on one of the sides

[Nitrile]

Originally Posted by longlasting

My car is at the dealer right now for my diff leaking on one of the sides

tell them to do both
mine is also leaking after 44k km

[M4BUM]

I had the same Problem with my 2015
They noticed that the differential is leaking on both sides.
So they decided to change the seals.
They changed the seals two times but it was still leaking.
So they decided to change the whole differential.
Now it isnt leaking anymore but the car has bad vibrations around 140kmh.
My car is nearly two weeks by the dealer and they dont know what to do next.
Its just ridiculous.

Does one of you have any idea what it could be?

[fabulousprofound]

Originally Posted by Nitrile

tell them to do both
mine is also leaking after 44k km

I tried to do this and the answer was no. Warranty will only cover a failed part. Otherwise pay out of pocket.

[NL-J]

Looks like mine has the same leak. Had the car in today for an oil service (at 33k km now) and asked them to do an end of warranty check. They found the diff is leaking. Never seen a drip on the garage floor though or a greasy diff housing looking underneath the car. Anyway booked for 2 days in december to have the leak located, order parts and fix it.

[FlyingLow78]

I’m not underneath my car at the moment, but does the exhaust run really close to the inner axle joints? If so, heat from the exhaust may be rapidly degrading the seal.

[FlyingLow78]

Originally Posted by M4Ulm

I had the same Problem with my 2015
They noticed that the differential is leaking on both sides.
So they decided to change the seals.
They changed the seals two times but it was still leaking.
So they decided to change the whole differential.
Now it isnt leaking anymore but the car has bad vibrations around 140kmh.
My car is nearly two weeks by the dealer and they dont know what to do next.
Its just ridiculous.

Does one of you have any idea what it could be?

The vibrations may be associated with the driveshaft being out of alignment with the differential or the transmission. The driveshaft should align with a mark on the differential to ensure they’re in balance as a unit. It should also have been marked where it mates with the flex disc at the transmission (if it was completely removed).

See the TIS instructions here:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f80-m3-lim/repair-manuals/26-propeller-shaft/26-11-single-multiple-part-propeller-shaft/1VnXnVmCcM

[Gotmpower]

I just noticed that my 2018 ZCP also has a leak on the passenger side. I'm still under warranty, has anyone been told that it's not covered due to mods?

[fabulousprofound]

Yeah. The tech tried to blame the leak was caused by the angle of the axle shaft being out of spec because I was on HAS suspension, but the service advisor stepped up to the plate for me and got it approved under warranty.

[Walmart Parking Lot]

Mine leaked a few months ago, out of warranty. My tech said it was more common on lowered cars.

[ssgm1x]

Add me to the club.
2018 M3 rear diff leaking on passenger side.......
i had the differential coded via THOR, i hope it does not cause issues for the mechanic...

[mavs_26]

Once again I'm grateful for this forum and the education it provides us so we're not going blind when the shop tells us that an issue needs to be fixed.

In July 2019 (vehicle was 3.5 years and 38K miles), the dealer found that my '16 M3 was leaking from the passenger side output shaft seal and they replaced the seal under warranty. Fast forward to yesterday, I took my car in for an oil change at my independent mechanic and they found that the output shaft seal is again leaking, after 7k miles since the dealer repair (44.5K miles in total). I'm past warranty so will be paying out of pocket for the repair. I'm curious whether the dealer will offer any kind of concession if the differential needs to be fixed. Fingers crossed -- I'm curious whether any of the folks on the thread have had the issue recur after an initial repair (beyond the folks who already posted about it).

[KeyBoy]

Originally Posted by mavs_26

Once again I'm grateful for this forum and the education it provides us so we're not going blind when the shop tells us that an issue needs to be fixed.

In July 2019 (vehicle was 3.5 years and 38K miles), the dealer found that my '16 M3 was leaking from the passenger side output shaft seal and they replaced the seal under warranty. Fast forward to yesterday, I took my car in for an oil change at my independent mechanic and they found that the output shaft seal is again leaking, after 7k miles since the dealer repair (44.5K miles in total). I'm past warranty so will be paying out of pocket for the repair. I'm curious whether the dealer will offer any kind of concession if the differential needs to be fixed. Fingers crossed -- I'm curious whether any of the folks on the thread have had the issue recur after an initial repair (beyond the folks who already posted about it).

I would try to get the dealer to fix it again. They should warranty their work/parts for 2 years since the initial service, assuming it was done at a dealer.

[VChenz]

Originally Posted by KeyBoy

I would try to get the dealer to fix it again. They should warranty their work/parts for 2 years since the initial service, assuming it was done at a dealer.

This...

Dealer installed parts are warrantied for 2 years per the BMW parts website. But...there's usually fine print that states it doesnt apply to seals and possibly labor. Best bet is to cold call their service department and ask about if they offer a warranty on the work they perform as you are looking to have work done at an independent shop.

[prompt]

I had the same issue on my M4 at 60k miles
both sides leaking

While I was at the dealer to speak with a SA I trade that car in for a brand new M2C

They had very good deals because Black Friday

[mavs_26]

Pretty fortunate conclusion here--dealer examined and found both the driver and passenger side output shaft seals were leaking. They replaced both seals, assembling, O- and lock rings, all on the house, tying back to the original passenger side seal leak from last year that was made when I was actually under warranty. My fingers are crossed that these new seals hold longer than the originals did, but who knows.

Thanks to all of you who posted - I really appreciate your insight and look forward to seeing the Texas drivers on the road.

Cheers,

[red_guapo]

just found the same problem on my 15' M4. shop quoted $580 to fix. FYI for those out of warranty.

[makritz]

Just discovered this on my 16 M3. Thankfully it is being covered under CPO warranty. Car is on EMD lowering springs.