Author Topic: Coolant loss... help! (Read 7725 times)

DesktopDave · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2010, 08:13:10 PM »

Maybe it's the valve then. If you look next to the gas pedal you can see it under the dash, right behind side of the center console. There are two types, the metal and pastic ones. They're not that hard to replace, maybe just a bit tedious. Here's a good writeup over at r3v:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=98782
RealOEM diagrams:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=AJ93&mospid=47318&hg=64&fg=15

arcter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2010, 08:29:23 PM »

Thanks Dave. Would it be just the valve and not the heater core itself?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2010, 09:18:53 PM »

I'd figure the heater core would give you a visible leak & powerful coolant smell. The valve not turning seems more likely to me.

Phreon · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2010, 07:07:37 AM »

Check the area just above the A/C pump bracket where the head meets the lower timing chain cover. If water is leaking out of that area you need to replace the Timing Chain Case Profile Gasket. Its kind of a big job.

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11162

P

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2010, 07:12:40 PM »

Just pressure test the cooling system and see if any coolant leaks out.

arcter · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2010, 07:54:39 PM »

Yeah the pressure test came back fine :/!

BlueBMW · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2010, 08:05:20 PM »

I've noticed that my coolant level has dropped an inch or so below the cold fill mark. Its been maybe a month or so since I filled mine. I think some loss is normal (the heating and cooling and losses through vapor)

Phreon · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2010, 06:58:43 AM »

Coolant loss is not normal in any circumstance. The only way for water loss is through a leak in a hose, leak from a gasket, leak from a radiator, heater core, faulty radiator cap.
Once the water is in there it should stay. Water vapor is not lost into the atmosphere, it condenses back to liquid within the cooling system. The vapor pressure of water is raised due to the system being a closed system, under pressure, and the thermostat opening below the boiling point of water. (212 degrees)
If your level is dropping you have a leak or you are overheating and the system is letting off the pressure.

Make sure you do a pressure test over time. It would take a very long time to see a small leak in a pressure test.

flyinglizard · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2010, 08:31:21 AM »

I had one that lost about 1qt per tank. The head was warped about 008. ran fine , the oil got milky after 2 months.
MM