M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: teklord69 on April 09, 2010, 06:42:28 PM

Title: Coolant leaking ..not sure where its coming from.
Post by: teklord69 on April 09, 2010, 06:42:28 PM

Its leaking in between the AC compressor and the steering rack. I dont think its coming from the thermostat housing. Could this be the dreaded "Profile Gasket" leak?  If so, is there a writeup here on how to change it?

Title: Coolant leaking ..not sure where its coming from.
Post by: rx82000 on April 12, 2010, 09:35:42 AM

I have the same leak near the steeting rack/AC compressor. I’m looking to find out where it’s coming from.

I loose about 250ml of coolant a month since I bought the car 18 months ago.

I did change the thermostat about 8 months ago and it leaked after the installation. I tightened the bolts and I was hoping it would stop. I need to have a look.

I don't get any water in my oil or vice-versa.

Here is link where we can see the gasket:
http://timthurber.com/tcpg.htm

The gasket does not exactly look like the picture in realoem. Looks like this:

http://www.mesaperformance.com/faqs/318tcpg.html


Question: Can a damaged profile gasket produce a slow leak or does it cause a giant puddle?

Title: Coolant leaking ..not sure where its coming from.
Post by: Choking Hazard on April 15, 2010, 10:20:30 PM

I would bet it is item #1 in this pic-
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_1154&hg=11&fg=10 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_1154&hg=11&fg=10)
You can see it better here
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&hg=11&fg=35 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&hg=11&fg=35)
I learned about it in the "mess under the intake" thread...  Kinda a bitch to get to, but a good time to get all that other shit out of there.