what's leaking out of my mirror ?

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:46 pm

what's leaking out of my mirror ?
I figure I will wait until it's all out and then try and clean the mirror, rather than paying for any expensive pieces.
What do you guys think

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:20 pm

Have you got auto dimming mirrors? If so it looks like the electro-chromic layer has failed. If it is 'leaking' then it is the electro-chromic fluid that changes colour when a voltage is applied. If not then the tint layer has failed but that would not flow. Probably a new mirror glass of the right type required. It's an odd colour though. It almost looks as if two parts of the mirror have parted company, hence the 'leak'.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:14 pm

It certainly looks like You have auto dimming mirrors as that definitely looks like the fluid seeping. If under warranty then all good otherwise a new mirror is expensive (well over Â£200).

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:24 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]Have you got auto dimming mirrors? If so it looks like the electro-chromic layer has failed. If it is 'leaking' then it is the electro-chromic fluid that changes colour when a voltage is applied. If not then the tint layer has failed but that would not flow. Probably a new mirror glass of the right type required. It's an odd colour though. It almost looks as if two parts of the mirror have parted company, hence the 'leak'.[/quote]

That's right mate, if I Push the mirror with my fingers I can see the liquid moveing around,

you really know your stuff

Hmmm maybe I will try separating the two layers so that I can clean the mirror properly

Thank you for the estimate Raj but there is no way I am spending Â£200 or more on a mirror that still works as a mirror

phiggystardust · Post by **phiggystardust** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:42 pm

No way of cleaning it I tried on one of mine it is u.s

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:32 pm

Source a salvage one from reputable breaker or ebay. Fluid leak cant be fixed.

be careful you get right part number and no quiblle agreement to refund/exchange if supplied item defective. Also check lugs/tabs not damaged

I have replaced 2 on mine ..............they dont like pressure washers

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:24 pm

Ther must be a way of cleaning it,

I will try it tomorrow

I don't know about getting a salvage one, especially if it's going to go wrong again, may be one of those Emergency stick on mirrors

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:21 pm

Please dont take this the wrong way..........IMO a stick on mirror will look awful.

I sourced my replacements from ebay though they are hard to come by.

There are various part numbers for BMW E53 door mirrors.

I believe yours is an auto dimming, convex, heated with matrix..........realoem will give the part number(s).

Of course if you genuinely aren't bothered what your car looks like, (or dimming/heating functions), then you can get cheapo stick on ones from ebay for 5 or 6 quid.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:35 pm

The liquid is not kind to anything, so make sure you don't get it on anything. I have seen an internal mirror leak and it stripped the leather right off.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:37 pm

.........& yes you could buy an emergency stick on mirror, (if happy with that look).

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:14 pm

[quote=""AW8""]Please dont take this the wrong way..........IMO a stick on mirror will look awful.[/quote]

I don't know if you remember my insurance write-off that I fixed for Â£30 you can still see the scars on the bonnet and bumper,so not that worried about how the mirror looks, I think I would win the prize for the scruffiest X5, well I don't think I would have any competition, that if there were a prize

Must remember not to drink that liquid if I get thirsty

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:26 pm

Amber nectar it most definitely isn't!

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:01 pm

[quote=""Powercat""]

I don't know if you remember my insurance write-off that I fixed for Â£30 you can still see the scars on the bonnet and bumper,so not that worried about how the mirror looks, I think I would win the prize for the scruffiest X5, well I don't think I would have any competition, that if there were a prize

[/quote]

Oh yes I certainly remember it

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:18 pm

[quote=""Powercat""] I think I would win the prize for the scruffiest X5, well I don't think I would have any competition, that if there were a prize

[/quote]

Cue Jeeg?

Sent from my iPod device using Tapatalk

Powercat · Post by **Powercat** » Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:50 pm

It was not easy to separate the two pieces,and I damaged the bottom left-hand corner of the mirror

But once the first layer of glass was off,
the mirror underneath cleaned up reasonably well only a little discolouring in the bottom right-hand corner, for now I am happy enough with the result

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