Caliper Bleed Nipple Leaking After Fluid Change at BMW
Discussion
Hi guys,
Having an issue with my F90 M5 following BMW carrying out the brake fluid service - presumably this isn't M5 specific...
A week after the change, my car was recovered to BMW for the dreaded coolant tank leak. While it was in they noticed that the driver side front caliper was leaking fluid. They said this was likely air in the system and that it would need bled so I told them that another dealer had done a brake fluid change the week before. They contacted the dealer that did the change to get them to approve a bleed but they wanted to investigate themselves.
I collected the car and noticed the rubber bleed nipple cap had popped off, and there was a few spots of fluid around the wheel. I cleaned it up and put the cap back on before taking the car back to the original dealer that did the change.
They couldn't see anything wrong since I'd cleaned up the wheel, I told them the pedal was spongey on occasion so they bled the brakes again. When getting on the brakes after that I found that the pedal feel was inconsistent, and sometimes there was a little dead-zone at the top of the pedal.
Took the car back a third time on Friday and the tech said they'd bleed the brakes 'Another way' - apparently there's two methods. He road tested the car and confirmed the pedal feel was normal after this.
Driving to work this morning and could smell something odd when getting out of the car, checked the front right and the bleed nipple cap has popped off again and there's drops of fluid spread around the wheel.
Is it normal for some leakage after a bleed? The pedal feel is fine now.
Or could it be an issue with the caliper?
Surely they'd have had to add more fluid after the 2 leaks?
Cheers!
Having an issue with my F90 M5 following BMW carrying out the brake fluid service - presumably this isn't M5 specific...
A week after the change, my car was recovered to BMW for the dreaded coolant tank leak. While it was in they noticed that the driver side front caliper was leaking fluid. They said this was likely air in the system and that it would need bled so I told them that another dealer had done a brake fluid change the week before. They contacted the dealer that did the change to get them to approve a bleed but they wanted to investigate themselves.
I collected the car and noticed the rubber bleed nipple cap had popped off, and there was a few spots of fluid around the wheel. I cleaned it up and put the cap back on before taking the car back to the original dealer that did the change.
They couldn't see anything wrong since I'd cleaned up the wheel, I told them the pedal was spongey on occasion so they bled the brakes again. When getting on the brakes after that I found that the pedal feel was inconsistent, and sometimes there was a little dead-zone at the top of the pedal.
Took the car back a third time on Friday and the tech said they'd bleed the brakes 'Another way' - apparently there's two methods. He road tested the car and confirmed the pedal feel was normal after this.
Driving to work this morning and could smell something odd when getting out of the car, checked the front right and the bleed nipple cap has popped off again and there's drops of fluid spread around the wheel.
Is it normal for some leakage after a bleed? The pedal feel is fine now.
Or could it be an issue with the caliper?
Surely they'd have had to add more fluid after the 2 leaks?
Cheers!
Not normal to leak or weep. Perhaps the nipple is slightly damaged or misshapen, you can replace them. I would take it back and demand they replace the nipple with new one (that will mean they also have to rebleed that caliper again but that’s incidental). And go from there. If they resist, stick to your guns and say your not happy about such an important safety item leaking and you want the nipple replaced.
Only scenario left after that if it occurs again is that the seat in the caliper is damaged but don’t think about that!
Only scenario left after that if it occurs again is that the seat in the caliper is damaged but don’t think about that!
Cleaned up the caliper and drove home from work last night, there was a few spots in the bottom of the wheel when I got home and some splashes around the wheel. Pedal seems to have about an inch of travel before any real braking force now. Dropping it at BMW this afternoon but they've already mentioned that corrosion isn't covered under warranty. No leaks on my way to work this morning.
Hard to see how its corrosion as the nipple wasn't seized it's just leaking after they've done the change.
Honestly, if I have another BMW after this it'll be serviced outside the dealer network. Popped the bonnet last night to check the fluid reservoir and all the plastics in the engine bay are now marked up and scuffed, they were perfect before the dealer changed the coolant tank. Tank also overfilled and coolant all over the engine bay. Useless.
Hard to see how its corrosion as the nipple wasn't seized it's just leaking after they've done the change.
Honestly, if I have another BMW after this it'll be serviced outside the dealer network. Popped the bonnet last night to check the fluid reservoir and all the plastics in the engine bay are now marked up and scuffed, they were perfect before the dealer changed the coolant tank. Tank also overfilled and coolant all over the engine bay. Useless.
Never touched the brake nipple on any of the BMw's I've owned . But from years ago(on classic mini) bleed valves often rusted up and seized but with plenty anti seize spray and a bit of muscle even if with mole grips would free them. Replace with new bleed nipple and then OK. Any fluid leak was around bleed nipple threads or very occasionally thro hole in top of nipple. Cant understand how it is getting onto your wheels unless its located facing downwards. Has the nipple got any fluid around it and can you see how it could drip onto wheel. If not could it be coming from somewhere else? should be an easy fix for any dealer.
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