Reasons for an Oil Leak from the Alternator Seal of a BMW from Certified Technicians in Decatur
Despite their durability and elite reputation of class and quality, BMWs also have their own pitfalls. One of these is the problem of oil leaks from the alternator seal. The alternator oil seal is a rubber device that acts as a seam between your alternator, its bracket, and your BMW’s engine. It is set in place to contain the oil of your BMW within your engine and prevent oil from leaking into the alternator.
The Causes of Oil Leaks from the Alternator Seal
In BMWs, a bad alternator seal is usually caused by a design flaw of the alternator seal. Aside from the defect, prolonged usage of the seal over time tends to cause the seal’s failure. The seal can also develop cracks, lose elasticity, or dry out after an extended period of use. This results in oil leaks from the engine into the alternator.
Symptoms Of Oil Leaks From Alternator Seal
There are many ways to tell if your alternator seal is faulty or damaged. Below are common warning signs:
Oil Leaks
The warning signs of a failing alternator seal are nearly impossible to detect until the seal begins leaking oil. The most apparent symptom of a failing alternator seal is an oil leak. The oil is leaking because the seal that held the oil in place is broken. If you park your BMW for a while, when you return hours later, you may find brownish fluid pooled near the front of your car if the seal is broken.
Burning Smell
You may also smell burning oil as you drive your car. This smell probably came from the leaking oil finding its way into the heated parts of your vehicle, causing the burning smell. Producing smoke with blue hues from the exhaust pipe is also a pointer towards an oil leak.
Since the oil in your BMW keeps all of the parts lubricated and working correctly. Without it, there would be friction, which causes these parts to break down and cause extensive damage if the issue is not resolved promptly.
Overheating Engine
Another way to detect if your engine is experiencing an oil leak is when the engine starts to overheat. The oil in the engine is used to lubricate the moving parts and prevent the engine from overheating. When an oil leakage causes an oil shortage, there will be increased friction and consequent overheating.
Check-Engine Light is On
Generally, the check engine light on the dashboard could come on for numerous reasons. Still, it can also occur when oil leaks into the alternator from a defective alternator seal. Anything that causes your BMW to leak oil will cause the light to come on because it negatively impacts the smooth running of your vehicle.
Electrical Failures
Due to the alternator’s role in powering your car’s electrical system, a bad alternator seal will allow oil to leak into the alternator and, in turn, causes all electrical operations to shut down. In this case, the oil leak into the alternator affects the generation of electrical power for components like automatic windows, radio, security locks, window wipers, etc.
Dead Battery
Since the alternator generates the necessary power for charging the battery, a bad alternator seal would affect the alternator’s functionality. The result would be that the battery would not get the charge it requires for proper function.
Munich West, Atlanta’s Leading European Service Center
The complexity of BMW vehicles makes 
it time-consuming to remove components before a mechanic can access the alternator seals. Attempting to perform the repair yourself may cause irreparable damage. Hence, you should employ the services of a BMW specialist for the repairs and consult a reputable car repair shop that specializes in BMW repairs and maintenance.
At Munich West Auto, we perform high-quality maintenance, and our professionals are BMW experts with rich knowledge and years of experience. We are familiar with the oil leak problems of the alternator bracket that many BMW drivers have reported and can solve this problem. Please call or visit our shop today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services and maintenance programs.
