losing coolant?
03-23-2009, 03:25 PM
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My Ride: 04 BMW 545i
Sport Package
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lately my car been losing coolant. doesnt look to be a leak anywhere. someone told me it might having something to do with the head? any ideas??
03-23-2009, 03:36 PM
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yes. possibly head gasket. check your oil. if has any white milkiness to it, it is surely your head gasket. do this after running the engine. this is the first and easiest check you should do when losing coolant
03-23-2009, 03:40 PM
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It has to be going somewhere. A leak may be the best compared to the other options. A blown head gasket will result in coolant going out the exhaust (white smoke) or coolant getting mixed in with the oil (the oil will be a milkey color). You may want to pressure test the system. It needs to be addressed quickly.
03-23-2009, 04:40 PM
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or you can check your dipstick. that requires 1 hand, at least 1 working eyeball and approximately 25 seconds. if it is a minor leak you wont see white smoke but you will see milky oil. you can take your car in and have it pressure tested all while relying on a mechanic, or you can check your dipstick, that costs somewhere around free...
lets not make this harder then it. one step at a time....
lets not make this harder then it. one step at a time....
03-23-2009, 04:49 PM
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I replaced the overflow cap and overflow container, about $80 and 30 minutes of time.
No more slow leak.
I was also loosing coolant- iDrive kept going off every several weeks- but no puddles, or obvious leaks.
The plastic container base, has a nub that fits into a holder, had a very small crack. And any leaks that had occurred, worked their way to the stabilizer bar bushing- which was wet. The engine compartment inspection cover under the car had also stopped any leaks from hitting the floor.
Just a thought, good luck, mike
No more slow leak.
I was also loosing coolant- iDrive kept going off every several weeks- but no puddles, or obvious leaks.
The plastic container base, has a nub that fits into a holder, had a very small crack. And any leaks that had occurred, worked their way to the stabilizer bar bushing- which was wet. The engine compartment inspection cover under the car had also stopped any leaks from hitting the floor.
Just a thought, good luck, mike
03-23-2009, 09:27 PM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
Alfa Romeo 147 TS1.6 , Black with Air Con 17" Multi Spoke alloys with Bridgestone RE040 tyres
Toyota MR-S 1.8 VVTI , Lagoon Blue with Red leather Air Con 15" standard alloys with Toyo tyres
Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI, Lagoon Blue, Air Con, 16" Standard alloys with Kuhmo KU31, EBC Green Stuff
Originally Posted by pinguhk' post='825106' date='Mar 24 2009, 05:17 AM
my friend keith84_uk is getting the same thing checkout.
He lost 3L of coolant
He lost 3L of coolant
I didnt see any leaking just like struong55 said,
I need to fill almost 3L of coolant in only 2 days of driving.
Will definitely check the engine oil when i back home tonight and just hope not the head gasket causing the problem!
03-23-2009, 09:55 PM
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Originally Posted by struong55' post='824881' date='Mar 23 2009, 07:25 PM
lately my car been losing coolant. doesnt look to be a leak anywhere. someone told me it might having something to do with the head? any ideas??
I had a coolant leak a few months ago, went to the dealer and they replaced some hose - that simple. But if it is depleting regularly, it has to be going somewhere, so if you want to take care of this yourself, you have to identify where the leak is - it cannot just evaporate.
GL, keep us posted
03-23-2009, 10:52 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i Sport Package Limo Tinted, Heads up display, Fully Loaded Minus Cold Weather Package and Rear window Sunshades.
Had the same problem a few weeks ago. Just had my entire radiator replaced for free. It was some kind of leak in it. I was loosing coolant about every 2 days as well. Get it checked ASAP! Because once you go dry the chance of warping the head is... Well actually there isn't a chance it WILL HAPPEN! Then your F*#$^&!!!
03-23-2009, 11:00 PM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
Alfa Romeo 147 TS1.6 , Black with Air Con 17" Multi Spoke alloys with Bridgestone RE040 tyres
Toyota MR-S 1.8 VVTI , Lagoon Blue with Red leather Air Con 15" standard alloys with Toyo tyres
Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI, Lagoon Blue, Air Con, 16" Standard alloys with Kuhmo KU31, EBC Green Stuff
Sounds like another common problem of our 5er