Would anybody happen to know what this part is?
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Carpentersville, IL
My Ride: 2008 550i Sport
I'm not sure if this is where my coolant leak is coming from, but the bottom half of it is damp from what I believe is the coolant I've lost. It's circled in yellow in the attached picture and has a tube/pipe that runs to the driver's side of the engine bay.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

thats the vacuum pump, and they are known for leaking oil.
i had a mysterious coolant leak also. check your lower radiator hose where it attaches to the radiator, there is a coolant sensor that plugs in there, and the o-ring for it is known to leak. check while car is warm, since the leak is slow enough, that it evaporates and doesnt hit the ground.
i had a mysterious coolant leak also. check your lower radiator hose where it attaches to the radiator, there is a coolant sensor that plugs in there, and the o-ring for it is known to leak. check while car is warm, since the leak is slow enough, that it evaporates and doesnt hit the ground.
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 8
From: Baton Rouge, LA
My Ride: 2008 550i
Model Year: 2008
Also check the coolant expansion tank vent pipe that runs along the top of the radiator. The hard plastic portion of the pipe develops cracks. I just replaced mine on my 08 550i, because it suddenly failed.
Members
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Washington USA
My Ride: 2010 BMW 550i M Sport. GPS, Satallite, Active suspension, Silver over Black in color with beige. 68k on the clock. My 10th BMW in forty years.
Model Year: 2010
Engine: 550 Msport
Been there, done that on my 05. fixed it by replacing the 05 with a MY 2010 Msport
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
My Ride: 2006 530i, Jet Black, Tan, Premium, Steptronic


