coolant leak.... - BMW Forum

yammahamma · 07-12-2007, 12:43 PM

two days ago I drove about 300 miles, mixed between city and freeway, it was probably 100 degree's or so outside....but she never got too hot. Once when sitting at idle the temp guage got to about 3/4 but the aux fan kicked on and cooled her right down.

The next day my coolant light came on and I thought from the heated drive the coolant might have just boiled out the overflow....so I topped it off and went on my way....

now day 3, just 12 hours after topping it off (and by "topping it off" I mean filling it to the fill line) the coolant light came on again....now, a little more worried, I checked the ground where I park and there is puddle of coolant....NOT behind the drivers side front tire. in the 12 hours between fills I only drove maybe 12 miles AT NIGHT. so she was lucky to get up to 1/2 on the temp guage...

in the few minutes I had before work today I let her sit and idle and I looked for where the coolant is comming from and the only leak I could find was here:

I couldn't see exactly where its was comming from, but it was dripping on this connector:

it dripped and dripped, but once the engine got to about 1/2 on the temp guage...the dripping seemed to stop, but I could be wrong, I only had a few minutes...

I've searched and the closest answer to my question I can find is this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starmavin

There is a coolant ring on the throttle body that heats up the air from the valve cover vent, Check the hose and the ring, but don't remove the ring cover! It breaks easily and the gasket isn't going to be at the local parts house. I have seen many leaks from here in colder areas where salt is used on the roads.

the timing belt, tensioner pully, water pump, and all the drive belts are less than 12,000 miles old

any ideas? or tests that I should do?

thanks!

ps. she's and 89 325i convertible

Starmavin · 07-12-2007, 05:54 PM

There are two coolant lines that make a heater for the crank case vent on the throttle body (the tube that comes from the valve cover) its comming from there.

yammahamma · 07-12-2007, 06:11 PM

I'll look at it tonight.....good to know there are hoses in that area....I thought it was going to be something pricey....

I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up yet...

thanks!

Starmavin · 07-12-2007, 06:22 PM

Not pricey, it's just common for that part to turn to dust, fall apart, and/or break the screws etc.

yammahamma · 07-12-2007, 06:23 PM

is this the part I quoted you talking about in my original post?

should I not dig too deep until I have a replacement ready?

yammahamma · 11-03-2007, 04:18 PM

update:

so the leak stopped for a while until last night it blew.....

it was seriously spewing out of...whatever that is....you can see the fountain in the picture.

I really need some urgent help now, because she won't hold any coolant....I'm borrowing a car from a friend, but I need my little girl back asap!

is there a gasket I need to get? what's it called? I couldn't find anything on bavauto....

please help!

BMWJNKY · 11-05-2007, 03:24 PM

There are 3 things you can do. One, fix it correctly by getting a new gasket for throtle body heater. Two, get a 180* U shaped piece of pipe and put it in the two hoses to bypass the housing on the TB. Three, get some hose long enough to join the fitting at the back of the block to the one on the thermostat housing to properly bypass the housing. One of the hoses comes from the rear fitting and the other goes to the thermostat housing.

yammahamma · 11-05-2007, 03:37 PM

thanks bro....I just found the gasket at bav auto......I didn't realize that it wouldn't be in the cooling system section...

I'll be ordering the gasket today....

BMWJNKY · 11-05-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

thanks bro....I just found the gasket at bav auto......I didn't realize that it wouldn't be in the cooling system section...

I'll be ordering the gasket today....

If they have them order the new screws that hold down the housing too. They have a good chance of being corroded and won't go back in properly.

yammahamma · 11-05-2007, 03:54 PM

for real? I already ordered it before I read your post......

should I call them up or do you think I might be alright?

after looking, I can't find the screws at bav auto...

BMWJNKY · 11-06-2007, 11:49 AM

Try and find them by part number, 13 54 1 705 561

yammahamma · 11-13-2007, 01:46 PM

do I need to use any sealant on the new gasket?

or should I just put the gasket in there without it??

BMWJNKY · 11-14-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

do I need to use any sealant on the new gasket?

or should I just put the gasket in there without it??

Just make sure everything is clean and put it together.

yammahamma · 11-14-2007, 05:23 PM

thanks dude...I really appreciate the help!

but I have another question:

in the process of taking the coolant housing off I kinda cracked one of the hoses. It's the big one that goes in the very center...the one your HAVE to take off to get the housing off....

I can't seem to find the hose at bavauto.....

do you know what it would be called so I can better look for it?

I just taped it up real good, so I think it's fine for now....but I'd like to replace it....

thanks again bro!!

BMWJNKY · 11-15-2007, 01:29 PM

Thats the end of the breather hose from the valve cover.