HELP!! 92 325is loosing antifreeze but can't see from where!! - BMW Forum

R_F_L · 11-17-2006, 09:05 PM

Hey guys, my 92 325is just started giving me an anitfreeze error on the OBD. I checked the coolant level and it was very low. I filled it up with new coolant and after one small trip to school, it was all gone. Amazingly, the engine didn't over-heat yet. I've filled it up three times and now it's becoming a waste of money. I kept filling up and looking over all the hoses but nothing is leaking, not a drop!! Any suggestions??

Thanks a lot,

RFL

cloaked95 · 11-18-2006, 12:48 AM

Check your oil. If its creamy, you've got a head gasket issue. Our cars are not really known for that problem though. Leaking thermostat housing and water pump is also a suspect. Good luck and let us know....

R_F_L · 11-18-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloaked95

Check your oil. If its creamy, you've got a head gasket issue. Our cars are not really known for that problem though. Leaking thermostat housing and water pump is also a suspect. Good luck and let us know....

Oh no....this is exactly what I feared. Could this explain the rattling, jerking, and the small explosions during acceleration as well?

Thanks,

RFL

R_F_L · 11-18-2006, 01:49 PM

hmmm.....I checked the oil and it looks pretty clean. I also checked the antifreeze and it's still has its original color. I also felt around the hoses and everything seems dry. I took a sample of oil and put it on a white plastic bag to see the color. Here's the pic:

ImageShack - Hosting :: img00003hs8.jpg

The camera made the oil look a little darker, it's cleaner than in the pic.

Thanks,

RFL

WhiteLightning27 · 12-01-2006, 09:47 AM

I've been having the same problem on my '98 328i. It overheated the day I got it and was losing coolant. I had it checked out, they replaced a cracked radiator expansion tank and some hoses. It continued to overheat and lose coolant. They next replaced the water pump, thermostat and water pump housing. It's not overheating now but it's still losing coolant. My worst fear has been realized: I have a cracked head gasket and coolant is leaking into the cylinders and burning out through the exhaust. You may want to have all those things checked out. Does an abnormal amount of exhaust steam come out of the tailpipe when first starting the car? Good luck.

bimmerguy82 · 12-01-2006, 07:05 PM

i was having a similar issue with losing coolant and not seeing it drip anywhere. i ended up replacing water pump, thermostat and radiator. problem fixed and now i know everything is new.

BImmerN2B · 12-01-2006, 09:50 PM

I had a similar problem and it was the radiator. The damn thing was leaking by the driver side tank. You could not see it until I searched for it. I would dare to say that the damn system (Radiator 80,000, water Pump 60,000 and Thermostat ???) need to be changed at those intervals.

You should get an aluminum radiator so you don't have to keep changing your OEM radiator. IT may cost a lot, but it will probably we there for the life of your car.