1999 e46 318 losing water - BMW Forum

CR+DR-Ltd · 10-19-2009, 05:58 AM

Hi, my car seems to losing water. I will fill it up and within a day the coolant light will come back on. I think the water might be coming out of the exhaust but, not sure? Any advice would be much appreciated

FCPGroton · 10-19-2009, 03:57 PM

Do you see it leaking? Do you see any water mixing with the oil? Is the car running ok?

05lcBMW · 10-19-2009, 05:56 PM

you might want to check the thermostat that is in the lower part of the radiator. i had a worn out gasket and i could see it leaking drops of coolant.

chet31 · 10-19-2009, 09:30 PM

Check your coolant expansion tank for cracks.

CR+DR-Ltd · 10-21-2009, 04:50 AM

Thanks for the advice. There is no water oil mixture at all

maxgav · 10-27-2009, 07:32 AM

Had the same problem. Took it for a pressure test at garage. It could be losing water from many places. In mine it was were the attachment for where the heater joins the radiator, plastic had just worn away.

FCPGroton · 10-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Ok, do you see anything in your exhaust? Any white smoke for example?

CR+DR-Ltd · 11-05-2009, 07:31 AM

Hi, I got a new thermostat and water expanision tank but, today my car was parked on a hill and I could see water running down. It looks like it was coming from the bottom back of the engine. The water level for the radiator seemed fine but, there was quite a bit of water. Any suggestions?

CanyonCreekMT · 11-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Turn off the air conditioner.

CR+DR-Ltd · 11-05-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanyonCreekMT

Turn off the air conditioner.

That's what I thought but, the water had green coolant mixture in it

CanadianWraith · 11-05-2009, 09:56 PM

is there not a drain plug in the bottom of the block for coolant flushes? check to see if it is loose or cracked

CanyonCreekMT · 11-05-2009, 10:00 PM

Heater core leaking can cause the same symptoms as an air conditioner condensate drip but will have antifreez instead of just water.

FCPGroton · 11-06-2009, 08:46 AM

I am thinking it is a heater core hose that is leaking. You should get under the car and see where the leak is coming from.

CR+DR-Ltd · 11-06-2009, 10:43 AM

Well last night I had to top it up before I went to Edinburgh(40 miles away) I had the heating on for the front windscreen most of the way and when I was about 2 miles away the coolant light came on. I just drove the last 2 miles and then let it cool down, It has never overheated at any point. When It had cooled down enough I had to put about 1-1.5 litres of water in it. So I used it again last night for maybe about 5 miles and then this morning for about 5 miles and I didn't check it or really use the heater or AC but, when I went to use it this afternoon the coolant light came on again and needed another 1-1.5 litres of water

CanyonCreekMT · 11-06-2009, 12:41 PM

If you can smell antifreez when you rub your heater blower it is probably a heater core and if not I agree with the other guy on this site that it is probably a hose or hose conection. If it is a hose it continued use will make it blow and leave you stranded on the road.