My wife parked the car in the driveway for about 5 minutes today (idling) and when she came back out, smoke was bellowing and liquid was running from under the engine. Not good. She shut the car immediately.

I let the car cool down, checked the engine coolant level, and it was (as expected) empty. I filled it a little more to see if I could find the leak, and the housing (reservoir) that holds the fluid is cracked. See the picture, that red line is the long crack. At least I think I know what the issue is now.

A few questions:

1. What is this part called, and what part number? I did some searching on the forum here, and always have a tough time finding what I'm looking for.
2. Anyone replace this before, how hard, any write up?
3. Other considerations - like other hoses that are likely to go bad, and should be replaced?

A few important notes:

1. Planning to get rid of the car in under 9 months. We are expecting our third child - and we need something bigger, and more reliable :-)
2. This is a 2005 X5 3.0i, automatic.
3. AC condenser fan does not work. I can get through winter without it, and then I'll be trading it in.

Thanks in advance. The advice and detail on this forum have been second to none...


Regards,Jfox

Attached Images