ZF Transmission leak

[sevenphotos]

I've gotten a 1989 BMW 525i with about 170,000 miles on it recently, and it was running fine up till about now. Noticed some steam/smoke coming out from under the car, limped it home after seeing a rather steady stream of fluid emanating from the bellhousing area of the auto transmission.

Cleaning things up a bit and looking at it, it's coming out from the small white plastic drain/filter? at the bottom of the bellhousing. I suppose I'm looking for some faint hope of a relatively easy repair job I cannot think of. But is it more likely an pull-off and rebuild job?

I've already performed a search/checked archives, but this may just fall under the "duh, it's blown mate" area...

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[shogun]

That is the small plastic piece of the bell housing. Tranny has to come out and you have to replace the seal at the input shaft. At the same tome replace the one at the rea of the tranny.
This helps
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/gearbox_seal/gearbox_seal.html
and maybe you use a speedy sleeve
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/458355/

Pls add to your profile or signature
1989 BMW 525i or 525iA in case of automatic tranny
helps us to help you
even better if you add the production month and year, especially required for wiring plan questions. VIN decoder is on my website below.

[sevenphotos]

Thank you very much! I'm not sure I'll be able to do it myself due to lack of tools/garage space, but this will help much in keeping to the repairs you mentioned, instead of the usual "you'll need a complete rebuild mate!".

Cheers,

Paul