as300z

I stared at all the hoses the best I can and didn't see any leakage. The dealer did the pressure test and ran it for 3 hours and they didn't see anything either. I'm not sure how to check for a seep hole in the water pump.

benjihana

So your only symptoms are that you have to refill the coolant? Do you hot-rod the car often? I'd also check the oil...

rparik01

Haha after being on this forum, we all have the same instincts. I'm actually in the process of leasing a X5 from this dealership and I mentioned that to him. I also noted the fact that I have been there several times for the same issue that they diagnosed as the expansion box and some hose connecting it. He talked to the manager and they agreed to wave the labor and said the part is 129.99. I agreed to that price, but then checked realoem to find the hose. I couldn't find a hose for that price, so when I pick up the car tomorrow I am going to compare part numbers. Thanks for your response.

as300z

No hotrodding for me. Most of the time my 3 year old son is with me. Thanks for the idea of checking the oil. I will do that!

rparik01

Well I went to pick up my car and the bill was 118, with the part costing 110. I showed them the price from realoem.com of 87.15. They said their whole price was 92, so they don't know where this number came from. Anyways they matched the price for me this time. I didn't know realoem had no affiliation with BMW, so I kind of felt bad. Well I felt bad until I got in my car and noticed that my headlamp selector light was still flashing, so my adaptive headlights wouldn't turn. They gave me the loaner back and kept my car. Still no conclusion if the radiator hose fixed the leak.

bigscore

I also was getting the "low coolant" message and finally got it fixed yesterday. Turns out my expansion tank (container that holds the coolant fluid) was leaking. Replacement tank was $80...disconnect the hoses attached to the tank...unscrew the tank install new tank reconnect hoses.....$80 labor.

On the V8 there is also a very thin hose connected to the expansion tank that runs across the engine along the front of the engine bay....check this for small leaks also (a friend of mine who also had the low coolant message had a small tear in this hose) run ur engine and watch it to see if coolant is seeping out. this hose is very delicate...when replacing my expansion tank this hose tore and had to be replaced be careful....$35

hose #10 on diagram....

as300z

The car has been in 3 times since December 28,2009 at a new dealer.

1st time)
Low coolant light went on spoke to BMW NA afetr other dealer couldn't fix the issue. BMWNA advised I bring it to another dealer. The new dealer replaced coolant tak cap and pressure tested it with now issues.

2nd time)
3 days after getting the cap replaced, I see a few drops of something on my garage floor that seems a little greasy, clear in color with a slight tint of blue. Dealer looks at the car and pressure tests it again with now issues found.

3rd time)
My coolant level low light comes on after it being looked at 3 weeks ago. On top of the coolant warning, i get oil level low warning. The oil was changed 6,000 miles ago. Dealer gives me the car back today stating the oil was 2 qts low and they ran a pressure test on the cooling system and nothing was found. They topped off the coolant again and gave me 2qts of oil and sent me on my way like all is fine.

I called BMWNA and i'm waiting for a call back tomorrow. I'm not too happy right now. Obviously something is leaking internal but the pressure check and eyeballing the exterior of the engine is their means of justifying all is ok.

HELP

e60lifestyle

mine happed a diff problem, the bottom of the radiator was leaking bad