New guy with a ?

[GGM]

Hey everyone, first time on this board! Might be a stupid question but... just wondering what the oil bottle to the front right of the engine which is labled ATF is for. Also, after driving for awhile it seems to be a little greasy around the outside (not too much) but it isn't leaking undeneath or anything. Just about half way down it seems to have a fine film.
Thanks
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2001 330i

 

[mallards]

yea whats up with that ... i have the same problem ...

Ben

 

[andreyiv]

ATF is Automatic Transmition Fluid. On the previous models, the container for the fluid was below the car and not easily refillable but it looks like they came to a conclusion that the closed type tranny was a bad idea or something. Is the level OK, or does it say that you need to add more? Watch the level of it carefully and check it at the same conditions (same engine temp and running or not) and then if you see you need more, look for a leak. I thought the cap might leak but you say that it's only on the bottom part so I don't know about that. Maybe it's coming from somewhere else, check if you can see what color it is, if drak red then it is ATF. BMW also uses ATF as power steering fluid but I'm not a 100% on that.

 

[MrElussive]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Andre]

Nice car. I always liked white.

 

[Tweet227]

Get your foot off of your car [slap]

 

[GGM]

Thanks. Sorry if i wasn't clear but the film starts from the cap down to about half way. The cap is on super tight so i wouldn't think that it would be leaking from there. i Checked it cold and the level semms fine. I've since cleaned it and will keep an eye out.
Thanks.
-probably the only time my foots going on the car. Not the best pic as you can see how dirty it is and with all the bugs on the front. It was my trip across canada.

 

[Bryan330i]

Were was the picture taken at?

 

[GGM]

It was at the saskatchewan/alberta border (as you can see the praries ARE flat!). I recently purchased the car when i was home in ontario and drove it to british columbia where i've been living/working for the past year.

 

[Tweet227]

I am just kidding. Wouldn't want you to scratch that beautiful paint job

 

[yogi799]

Mine is greasy below the 'bottle' on the little hose going down.

 

[andreyiv]

I don't know if I mentioned this or not but BMW also uses ATF as power steering fluid so it may be power steering and not tranny fluid.

 

[GGM]

Since i've cleaned it a couple of days ago it's been dry but there is a little bit just where the cap tightens on where it might be coming from. The cap is on very tight so i'm not sure how it could be slightly leaking from there if thats the case.

 

[ChrisK]

the hose on mine was greasy also. when I got the Inspection II the other day, they did replace a power steering hose.. however I haven't checked to see which one they replaced.