Leaking Coolant?

[318kid]

So I got home and shut off my car, when I was about to leave a few hours later there was a little puddle of coolant on the ground. Where all could the leaks be? What's the worst case scenario and what's the best. Thanks in advance, Preston

[halcron]

It may be coolant but it may also be condensation from your AC.

I to is having leaking coolant issue right now. How I found out is that my coolant level kept dropping and I have to top up on a daily basis. I tried a bottle of HOLTS radiator anti leak but it didn't help. Thus I reckon it must be one of the hoses/pipes leaking water. I followed the trail of water and it seems to be coming from under the intake manifold (I know there is a distribution pipe there where water goes to your TB and heater core, reckon that area may be leaking).

I have yet to fix the problem due to lack of time. Right now, the only thing I can do is just top up coolant daily.

[Wizard]

May want to check out this thread:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2742

And some additional info here:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3621

I am having the same problem, so I decided to go that route and remove all the plumbing. Mine looked like the leak may have been coming from the hose connected to the head. The coolant would run down the side of the engine, then drip off the tranny. I do not have mine back together yet, so I cannot say for sure if this will fix my leakage. (waiting on parts as usual..lol)

Not sure where you are finding the puddles?

One suggestion is if you are going to replace the hoses under the manifold, defiantly get a new water pipe (part # 11531714738) and O-ring (part # 11531709157). When I tried to get the hoses off mine, all the nipples were broke although they did not appear to be leaking.

[318kid]

Not sure where you are finding the puddles?

It's more out of the front, so I was thinking maybe a profile gasket? Could that be it? I probably should replace the mess under the intake, It's never really that cold, so I wouldn't need it, but it's just hard to follow what they are doing. I bet it will make more sense if it's off.

[nomad]

For a new (to you) car I'd absolutely suggest taking the upper manifold off and deleting the TB heater system as it probably has a lot of cracked vacuum lines anyhow. At the minimum replacing the plastic water pipe with one from the dealer($25) will save you from replacing a cracked head too. Replacing hoses is worth it too.

If the coolant is in the front it could be the water pump leaking or weeping. Cheap insurance is to replace it, along with the thermostat which may be the issue from a leaking thermostat housing gasket.

So where's the pics?!

[BMWManiac]

Water pump, thermostat, or perhaps the clamps on the t-stat cover....

[Wizard]

Have to agree with nomad and BMWManiac with the water pump or T-stat leaking. From having mine apart, any leak from under the manifold would accumulate towards the middle or rear part of the engine.
Highly doubt it is the profile gasket. Most of these would have been changed or blown long ago.....Have heard the originals  don't last much past 50k miles.

BTW....I would change those out first before diving into the heater plate delete...

[318kid]

So where's the pics?!

I moved the car into the garage and forgot to take pics, sorry . I'll take off the fan today and take a look in there, maybe I can find where the leak is coming from. And on cleaning the mess under the intake,

I probably should replace the mess under the intake, It's never really that cold, so I wouldn't need it, but it's just hard to follow what they are doing. I bet it will make more sense if it's off.

Unless someone wants to make a detailed writeup! He shows the 5/8ths pipe on that, but then they go on about the catch can and stuff like that. Is the only thing I need a 5/8ths pipe?

[nomad]

yes, 5/8 vacuum line. You'll get a handfull of plastic tube connectors and elbows, I recommend using those to keep the line from collapsing if you have to use power steering hose etc. (it collapses a bit under pressure).
Also, take carb cleaner and clean out the ICV real good.

[Wizard]

If you are going to delete the heater plate, below is a list of parts you would probably want to change out as you would have the entire manifold system apart:

11531714738     Cooling/Coolant Hose; Water Pipe Connector
11531709157     Cooling/Coolant Hose; Water Pipe Connector O-Ring
11531709052     Radiator Hose; Lower Radiator to Water Pipe; Left
64211386690     Heater Hose; Cylinder Head to Heater Valve (Inlet)
64211386691     Heater Hose; Heater Valve to Water Pipe (Outlet)
11611717761     Intake Manifold Gasket; Intake Manifold Top to Intake Manifold Bottom
11611734684     Intake Manifold Gasket; Lower; Intake Manifold to Cylinder Head

The only hose that you will have to "FAB UP" is the one that goes from the coolant pipe to the head:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25556&postcount=10
I believe this is the 5/8th hose mentioned in the thread.

The "Catch-Can" is just so oily blow-by doesn't go directly into the intake bellows from the valve cover:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25676&postcount=23

There are a few vacuum lines that probably should be replace also, but I don't have any part #'s for them. Those would be just stock vacuum lines at any auto parts store.

This is not a "major" project, but you are removing quite a few nuts and bolts to get to every thing. If you study the pictures and the posts here and on RealOEM, it is pretty straightforward. Just PLAN AHEAD and have all parts in hand....You will not find most of the hoses locally...

[318kid]

Ok, I'll try to look into it more, but I'm going to be gone for a few weeks so I won't get around to it until August. Do I have to have the catch can? Also, I'm going to get the coolant leak fixed before I do this. Thanks for the help, I'll PM you guys if I have any more questions if thats alright? -Preston