Coolant leaking constantly, need advice please

[Ven]

Hello,

My E53 developed a coolant leak today. First saw a small puddle in the garage where parked.

Now the dripping is constant. Couple of small drops every few seconds.

Attaching a picture (from our forum but edited for location illustration)

It is dripping from the big hollow square engine support beam?(for lack of better word) shown with white arrow. It is definitely coolant, not water from condenser etc.

I am taking it to a local shop tomorrow. Am I looking at the dreaded coolant pipe/seal failure?

[blackbeast]

Originally Posted by Ven

Am I looking at the dreaded coolant pipe/seal failure?

Not necessarily, but of course is a possibility.

Before taking her in, I would pop the hood and start digging around with a flashlight, could be something easy and cheap like a hose.

[525iT_Feen]

If you can't visually see a leak just get the system pressure tested. If its leaking that bad it won't be hard to tell where its coming from.

[Ven]

Originally Posted by 525iT_Feen

If you can't visually see a leak just get the system pressure tested. If its leaking that bad it won't be hard to tell where its coming from.

Yes, thanks Olek. I had the car towed today morning to local shop. They will pressure test it and advise. Fingers crossed.

[Ven]

Originally Posted by blackbeast

Not necessarily, but of course is a possibility.

Before taking her in, I would pop the hood and start digging around with a flashlight, could be something easy and cheap like a hose.

Thanks I tried to examine when I had the car on ramps yesterday. But again could have missed it.

I did notice my PS reservoir also leaked and the radiator hoses and driver front side were wet with PS oil /ATF.

[Ven]

Ok, the shop confirmed it was Radiator leak after pressure test.

I am replacing Radiator, PS reservoir, the 2 PS hoses under it. Anything else I should be doing at this point?

[Rockit]

The coolant overflow tanks always go bad, I replaced 2.

My 2002 top radiator hose went so depending on the year if it were me I would change the upper and lower house too.

[Ven]

Sorry about the wrong word use earlier. I am doing radiator, PS reservoir with its 2 hoses. The expansion tank and cap are 3 months old and are fine.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Ven

Ok, the shop confirmed it was Radiator leak after pressure test.

I am replacing Radiator, PS reservoir, the 2 PS hoses under it. Anything else I should be doing at this point?

I don't let any of the rubber/plastic components of my cooling system go more than 7 years or 150,000 miles. Too much ozone / UV effect in Texas.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

[Ven]

Yeah, mileage is 121,300 at the moment.

Cooling system refreshed already barring the radiator and that gave in