coolant issue. extremely concerned

jwhit012 · 11-14-2013, 05:03 PM

2-3 weeks ago i get a coolant low indicator, didn't think anything of it, filled reservoir with distilled water and went on my way. A week later same thing, maybe i didn't measure the amount correctly, no problem, so i filled and kept it moving. Now today, i get the same light (wtf

), car is hot so i cant check levels. I am really concerned with this diminishing coolant situation and hoping for some insight from the 1 addict community.My car is a 2008 135, with about 63k miles.

jwhit012 · 11-14-2013, 05:04 PM

hot meaning, just finished driving, not overheating..Car is not overheating at all.

Tommeh · 11-14-2013, 06:24 PM

Check this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476419

Im not 100% sure as I did not replace mine myself... But I feel like coolant runs somewhere along that seal.... I remember when my water pump failed they said they found little chuncks of plastic in there. Then a few weeks later when I got new OEM turbos they said I needed to replace this seal.

Dackelone · 11-14-2013, 06:48 PM

First off, always check your coolant on a COLD engine! Your car needs to be level and parked for a long time to be fully cold. When you open the coolant expansion tank the red float should be level with the lip(threads) of the exp tank cap.

It could be possible you have a coolant leak. Look for any white residue on the coolant hoses or cap or under the car. Most probable leak would be your electric water pump. What year is your car? IF its a 2008 and has over 60K miles, you are on borrowed time. Later cars seem to last a wee bit longer, but not by much.

Checking & adding engine coolant DIY
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401672

e8x electric waterpump failure poll...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798195

DIY – Water Pump & Thermostadt Replacement (2007, 335i w/Automatic Transmision)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Pictures: Electric water pump + thermostat replace
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347412

jwhit012 · 11-14-2013, 08:35 PM

Thank you for all the replies . I actually did hit that 60k mile water pump wall , approximately 4 months ago . I replaced both pump and thermo, this is my first sight of issues since then . I checked my car out and did see white residue all over the top of the engine and reservoir itself . My guess, coolant is cooling out of the cap, possibly the cap needs a seal ? Is there a seal on cap? Any input or ideas are welcome . Thank again

Dackelone · 11-14-2013, 08:50 PM

You could have the cap and reservoir pressure tested. Maybe at whoever replaced yours water pump. Just bc a part is a new part(ie your water pump) doesn't mean its good. Sometimes you get a bad (new) part. Thats what parts warranties are for.

Caps go bad too, I would just buy a new cap. That is most likely whats leaking.

Since you had the water pump replaced... maybe your cooling system just "burped" itself. But since you are seeing lots of white residue, I think your cap or res has a leak.

jwhit012 · 11-15-2013, 01:16 PM

I'm going to replace the entire reservoir . Dealer have parts in stock at a reasonable price so I'll go that route , first . I'm pretty sure it's conning from up top with the amount residue I see on top end of motor . Will keep everyone posted

11-14-2013, 05:03 PM	#1
jwhit012 Private First Class 6 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	coolant issue. extremely concerned 2-3 weeks ago i get a coolant low indicator, didn't think anything of it, filled reservoir with distilled water and went on my way. A week later same thing, maybe i didn't measure the amount correctly, no problem, so i filled and kept it moving. Now today, i get the same light (wtf ), car is hot so i cant check levels. I am really concerned with this diminishing coolant situation and hoping for some insight from the 1 addict community.My car is a 2008 135, with about 63k miles.
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11-14-2013, 05:04 PM	#2
jwhit012 Private First Class 6 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	hot meaning, just finished driving, not overheating..Car is not overheating at all.
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11-14-2013, 06:24 PM	#3
Tommeh Lieutenant 56 Rep 481 Posts Drives: 96 BMW M3 & 16 GMC Canyon Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Check this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476419 Im not 100% sure as I did not replace mine myself... But I feel like coolant runs somewhere along that seal.... I remember when my water pump failed they said they found little chuncks of plastic in there. Then a few weeks later when I got new OEM turbos they said I needed to replace this seal. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i ///MSport Alpine White / Taupe Leatherette Cobb 2+ Aggressive \| BMS Intake \| ER Charge Pipe + Tial Q \| ER FMIC \| RR Downpipe \| RR Exhaust \| RR OCC \| KWV1 \| Apex ARC-8 245/18/40, 275/18/35
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11-14-2013, 06:48 PM	#4
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	First off, always check your coolant on a COLD engine! Your car needs to be level and parked for a long time to be fully cold. When you open the coolant expansion tank the red float should be level with the lip(threads) of the exp tank cap. It could be possible you have a coolant leak. Look for any white residue on the coolant hoses or cap or under the car. Most probable leak would be your electric water pump. What year is your car? IF its a 2008 and has over 60K miles, you are on borrowed time. Later cars seem to last a wee bit longer, but not by much. Checking & adding engine coolant DIY http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401672 e8x electric waterpump failure poll... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798195 DIY – Water Pump & Thermostadt Replacement (2007, 335i w/Automatic Transmision) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416 Pictures: Electric water pump + thermostat replace http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347412 __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-14-2013, 08:35 PM	#5
jwhit012 Private First Class 6 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	Thank you for all the replies . I actually did hit that 60k mile water pump wall , approximately 4 months ago . I replaced both pump and thermo, this is my first sight of issues since then . I checked my car out and did see white residue all over the top of the engine and reservoir itself . My guess, coolant is cooling out of the cap, possibly the cap needs a seal ? Is there a seal on cap? Any input or ideas are welcome . Thank again
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11-14-2013, 08:50 PM	#6
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	You could have the cap and reservoir pressure tested. Maybe at whoever replaced yours water pump. Just bc a part is a new part(ie your water pump) doesn't mean its good. Sometimes you get a bad (new) part. Thats what parts warranties are for. Caps go bad too, I would just buy a new cap. That is most likely whats leaking. Since you had the water pump replaced... maybe your cooling system just "burped" itself. But since you are seeing lots of white residue, I think your cap or res has a leak. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-15-2013, 01:16 PM	#7
jwhit012 Private First Class 6 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	I'm going to replace the entire reservoir . Dealer have parts in stock at a reasonable price so I'll go that route , first . I'm pretty sure it's conning from up top with the amount residue I see on top end of motor . Will keep everyone posted
	Appreciate 0 Quote