Savage Coolant leak

[AUS 320I E90]

I am new this, sorry for being ignorant,

My 2005 320I E90 has sprung a worriyng leak (it ran close to dry) I filled it up the next morning, drove to work. I went and check the car an hour or so later and there was a patch of water the size of the car and it must have been dry (took 4L to re-fill) drove it home got a low water light just before I got home.

I cant directly see where the leak is but it seems (standing in front of the car) to be coming from the bottom right side of where the radiator is.

Also, it seems to start leaking as soon as I put coolant in.

Dose that sound like cracked hose or a more serious problem?

[brettski]

Welcome to the Werkz.

I'd suggest that the plastic end tank on the radiator is a good spot to start looking, it could be cracked around the neck to the hose, or the seal between the plastic end tank and aluminium core is failing. If its leaking without being under pressure its time to get it addressed properly. Track down the leak by following the leaking coolant visually, given your description it shouldn't be too hard to pin point.

[AUS 320I E90]

First of all thanks Brettski, you seem to be helping alot of us less in the know

I will check in the morning, if it is the plastic end tank, dose that mean I need a new radiator? From the possible source of problems are there different ways of dealing with the problem or am I in for a big bill either way?

Thanks

[Jack Dabsy]

Get a friend to fill the Rad and lay underneath the front... It does appear to be a "direct" leak as opposed to a Cylinder-Head or Heating issue...
I suspect a coolant hose !! This can lose coolant quickly and run along the base of the Rad... Just adding to Bretts great explanation