M62 coolant crossover pipe cracked into 4 pieces after cold start

[eirikr]

First time posting here.

99K miles, everything works and (seems) normal and engine was running smooth. Been away for two months and parked in the garage with battery tender. Returned home and started the engine, idle for about 10 min and temp guage not moving at all. Shut down the engine and found coolant leaking from the back of the engine. Outside temp was freezing, about 26-28F, but I think inside the garage it's just above freezing.

Crawled under the car and found a crack on the crossover pipe, when I got to the pipe I found that it actually cracked into 4 pieces.



I replaced the crossover pipe and bleeded and refilled the coolant. Started the engine and ran it for a few minutes to around 115F, then coolant started leaking from the LH ignition coil cover. I removed the cover and found the ignition coils filled with coolant. In the photo I already soaked up some coolant, it was filled to the edge.



After I removed the valve cover and soaked up all the coolant, I found where the coolant is leaking from:





I've searched many forums and found nothing similiar to this failure. The pipe cracked into 4 pieces seems very unusual.

Any idea or suggestion? I am thinking it is a cracked head or block.

Thanks

[williamx5]

Good day!!

I think your coolant level was too low for the temp it got down to... The coolant water mixture froze enough to expand and crack the rear pipe... The circle in the head did it's job... Freeze plug came out to save the block... Did the rest of the motor survive? We will have to fix all the other issues first... You might be able to tap the freeze plug back in flat and see if it holds, but go ahead and order a new one yesterday so you can swap it out when you get it...

You might be okay... But don't quote me on that just yet... After you get the plug corrected, make sure you do a 50/50 mix of coolant and water... I recommend you get the full strength and add water yourself... I never buy the pre-mix stuff... Seems silly to purchase a half gallon of coolant and pay to have someone mix in the water for me...

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Cheers!!!

[eirikr]

Thanks for the quick reply. Before I started the car the first time after the two months, I opened the expansion tank and checked the coolant level and it was full. I was going to drain and refill with 50/50 BMW coolant but this happened before I had the chance to do the job. In fact I already brought the BMW coolant before I stored the car.

I think the engine is fine (finger crossed) because the engine started instantly and ran smoothly after I replaced the crossover pipe. I hope the engine didn't overheat during the first start after the two month in storage.

Is the ignotion coil areas (LH and RH) the only location for freeze plugs?

[eirikr]

Just checked the freeze plugs, and found that all 4 plugs pop out already. Hopfully they saved the block. Will have to get new plugs tomorrow.

[zukgod1]

Good catch, hopfully it lives. Certainly didn't have the proper mixture to freeze like that. Once you are all back together you can get it mixed correctly.
Let us know how it turns out.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[eirikr]

Today I put the engine back together after I installed new freeze plugs. Refill with coolant and started the engine, and coolant is leaking from another place. Will have to find the locatino of the new leak tomorrow.

Are there freeze plugs on the engine block?

[williamx5]

Originally Posted by eirikr

Today I put the engine back together after I installed new freeze plugs. Refill with coolant and started the engine, and coolant is leaking from another place. Will have to find the locatino of the new leak tomorrow.

Are there freeze plugs on the engine block?

Awwwwwww!! I forgot all about that coolant plate on the back of the block... It is probably the first thing to break... It is a rather large plate on the back of the block... As it turns out, I have a spare in my shed... I got it for a buddy a while back, but he already had one... This will require the removal of the transmission and flywheel...

This is what it looks like...

Cheers!!

[740iS]

Unfortunately, yes it will require removal of the transmission and flywheel.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Man there must have been nothing but water in that engine. There are freeze plugs on the engine. Sounds like your engine is saved but you will have to chase down all of the freeze plugs to assure no more coolant leaks.

[williamx5]

Good day!!

I found the plate that resembles the pretty one I posted earlier (admittedly stolen from a user on ebay)... It is not as pretty, but it is complete and I can have it in the mail tomorrow if you are going to do the work to get it installed... I would imagine a shop doing the work would require you to purchase a new one, and probably a new one FROM THEM...

Let me know!!

Cheers!!