I have an oil leak coming from between the engine and tranny bell housing. When I try to smell the oil off of the pavement, it does not smell like engine oil. I went underneath the car and sniffed around and again, it does NOT smell like engine oil. No smell on this oil. Plus, I am not losing any engine oil.

Please do not mention the OSV/EGR as I have already replaced that about a month ago with a new gasket. I also do NOT see any oil marks that run down the back side of the engine so the valley pan gasket is out of question.

I shined some light in the peek holes and I see that the inside of the bell housing is wet but the torque converter is bone dry.

My suspicion is the tranny fluid front oil seal. Yes, I know it is brown because the previous owner has not flushed the tranny fluid yet which I will soon. Has anyone experienced this issue? What was your fix?

I called autohauaz and they do not sell the front tranny oil seal. Any links that you can provide me would be great!!!

See this thread for reference: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477413&highlight=transmission+oil+seal

I had similar on mine when I purchased it 6 months ago. Had the trans serviced, and the leak(minor) disappeared. I reckon I was lucky enough that the new oil softened up the seal enough to work at the moment.

This has also worked on my Jags with TH400 trans. Fresh oil does wonders??.

I replaced it on my 750 in front and rear. Typical seal faults. In case of the 750 it is much more difficult than the 740.
Go to Johan;s website and have a look how that was made by him on his 735. Link to his website on my link below.
BMW will probably not do the job with a warranty, as they claim that the shaft might have groves already and the damage comes again on the new seal.
That is what BMW usually tells the customer here in Japan and they offer a reman tranny instead of the repair :rolleyes
I do not know what your skils are, but if you have some tools, long extensions for the torx bolts etc., then it is a one day job for a DIYer, a pit and a tranny lifter is of course an advantage.
Here pics of my tranny seal prob, the part costs a few $ only, no problem on the rear since 5 years and the front seal does not leak after the cange for >2years

See this thread for reference: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477413&highlight=transmission+oil+seal

Oh!

Now I know what you were talking about on the phone. See, when you mentioned that thread, I was thinking of a different, recent thread. That thread link you posted up there was from over a year ago.

Well, I actually never got to the bottom of that leak. I replaced that engine a few months later, which I assume fixed the problem.

It's funny, until seeing this now, I totally forgot that I had that same leak. I mean, it's all fixed now, but when you mentioned that I had posted about having the same problem, I was like, "no I didn't" -- but I did, it's right there! :lol

... too funny.

Hey, let me know when you're going to be doing this project, if I can, I'd love to stop by and see it.

I replaced it on my 750 in front and rear. Typical seal faults. In case of the 750 it is much more difficult than the 740.
Go to Johan;s website and have a look how that was made by him on his 735. Link to his website on my link below.
BMW will probably not do the job with a warranty, as they claim that the shaft might have groves already and the damage comes again on the new seal.
That is what BMW usually tells the customer here in Japan and they offer a reman tranny instead of the repair :rolleyes
I do not know what your skils are, but if you have some tools, long extensions for the torx bolts etc., then it is a one day job for a DIYer, a pit and a tranny lifter is of course an advantage.
Here pics of my tranny seal prob, the part costs a few $ only, no problem on the rear since 5 years and the front seal does not leak after the cange for >2years

Thanks, Shogun! I was actually going to go to the junk yard to see where the seal is. You have just provided this.

Plik,

I will give you a call when I decide to do this. Thanks.

Any other input from anyone is appreciated. Thanks.

Just a suggestion but when u have the tranny pulled, it wouldnt hurt to change the engine rear main seal and the coolant cross over gasket on the back side of the engine.

this was a problem more so on the X5 4.4i but, pull the trans and you need to reseal the whole input section of the trans and when its out pull the flywheel and replace rear main seal.

Just a suggestion but when u have the tranny pulled, it wouldnt hurt to change the engine rear main seal and the coolant cross over gasket on the back side of the engine.
This is a good idea. I have checked the rearmail seal price ant it runs around $55.00. I will do that.

Try to use speedy sleeves
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/458355

Try to use speedy sleeves
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/458355

Is this really necessary?