Yep, another newbie here.
I just bought my first BMW, a 1997 328is 2dr.
The PO had replaced the thermostat housing and said it needed a head gasket (I bought the car for $2500).
I drove the car 30 miles home and the temp gauge never went above the halfway point.
The next day I was checking it over, no water in the oil and no steam/condensation/drips from the tail pipe.
I thought, HMMMMM!
The driver display says "check coolant level"
I followed the coolant fill/bleed procedure (heater on high, bleed screw, etc), heated up and cooled down 4 times, bleeding each time.
The coolant system was pretty much full and the reservoir took only about 2 quarts.
Yesterday I drove the car about 45 miles in varied traffic and speeds, the temp gauge again never went above halfway.
After the drive, I checked the reservoir and it was full to the top.
The "check coolant level" message is still there?
HOWEVER, I do smell coolant near the front of the car.
I have searched extensively all around the radiator and engine for even the smallest of leak, only to find nothing!
Everything is bone dry, nothing dripping on the ground, NADA.
I'm a GM tech of 22 years and well versed in leak detection but this one eludes me.
If anyone has had a similar problem or knows where I should look, please let me know.
I just bought my first BMW, a 1997 328is 2dr.
The PO had replaced the thermostat housing and said it needed a head gasket (I bought the car for $2500).
I drove the car 30 miles home and the temp gauge never went above the halfway point.
The next day I was checking it over, no water in the oil and no steam/condensation/drips from the tail pipe.
I thought, HMMMMM!
The driver display says "check coolant level"
I followed the coolant fill/bleed procedure (heater on high, bleed screw, etc), heated up and cooled down 4 times, bleeding each time.
The coolant system was pretty much full and the reservoir took only about 2 quarts.
Yesterday I drove the car about 45 miles in varied traffic and speeds, the temp gauge again never went above halfway.
After the drive, I checked the reservoir and it was full to the top.
The "check coolant level" message is still there?
HOWEVER, I do smell coolant near the front of the car.
I have searched extensively all around the radiator and engine for even the smallest of leak, only to find nothing!
Everything is bone dry, nothing dripping on the ground, NADA.
I'm a GM tech of 22 years and well versed in leak detection but this one eludes me.
If anyone has had a similar problem or knows where I should look, please let me know.
