4.8is coolant leak take 2

[Toothbrush]

Did you replace that small pipe or reuse the old one?

[DanielQR79]

Originally Posted by Toothbrush

Did you replace that small pipe or reuse the old one?

That Pipe is less than 2 months old, I had replaced the water pump thermostat and other stuff, about 6 weeks ago and I have put less than 500 miles on the car , since I replaced all that stuff.

[FourPointEight-is]

@DanielQR79, did you manage resolving this. My leak has come back now, I'm losing a drop of coolant per second. I can't ignore this anymore

Can you post the full list of parts you had to replace?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Unfortunately these vehicles require the replacement of all the cooling hoses and seals after the 10+ year mark. The materials of the some of the hoses are just awful. When I purchased my 4.6is 4 years ago, I had a couple of coolant leaks and just to assure piece of mind I serviced the cooling system and changed every coolant hose and seal.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Unfortunately these vehicles require the replacement of all the cooling hoses and seals after the 10+ year mark.

+1

I replaced every hose and belt and failure-prone bit when my 4.8is had less that 14k miles on it. It was 7 years old at the time. When I had a valve cover gasket, I elected to do seals that I didn't need at 110k. During that visit, I had every replaceable part that was removed replaced with new. That included the AGA coolant pipe and the intermediate levers which was painful. Very painful.

At ~100k, I replaced the transmission as soon as all other pre-emptive attempts to avoid it were run through. Whether we like it or not, "hope" is just not powerful enough to get us through an impending part failure.

The result is another 7+ years and over 100k in my second '04 E53 without either being on a flatbed. Well, at least I don't recall whether the 3.0 was on one. That was a long time ago. After our 4th cross country trip in the 4.8is this June, I'm at 123k and it's never run so strong. We're in for the annual Winter run to Florida this December. But you better believe that I'll be checking in for the 2nd pre-emptive maintenance review in November. It's almost become a ritual. For the Spring '19 visit, I'll probably have a look at those belts from 7+ years ago. Like the bumper sticker says about freedom, Reliability isn't free.

BMW's cost money. You can choose to spend that $ when they're new, don't need as much preventative maintenance, and include a warranty. Or, you can choose to save all of that and spend the money on replacing parts that need it. E53's are the opposite of set it and forget it. And just as above with hope, whining about it isn't going to change it. Best to just accept that you've got one of the best balance of performance and practicality and safety that exists, even today.

And then drive. Drive, drive drive!

[FourPointEight-is]

Hi Guys

I've finally gotten to tearing this apart. I have cut the original coolant transfer pipe (replacing it with the Uro expanding coolant pipe). I got the half at the rear at the engine out, but the one at the front just does NOT want to come out.

Any trick to this or do I just keep bashing it?

Photo attached.

[andrewwynn]

I did the timing chains guides on a couple m62tu and on one when I replaced the two coolant pipes I was not happy with the sealing surface which was quite pitted. I suspect that is why yours is being beastly to remove.

Do I spot a hole drilled in the top of the pipe, continue through and put a long rod though the top and bottom so you can turn the thing. The end is a cylinder it will rotate eventually then should pop right out. I don't know how the seal is dealt with when you don't remove the water pump housing which is probably built into the upper timing chain cover.


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[FourPointEight-is]

Thanks Andrew, managed to dril a hole right through and stuck a screwdriver through to break the seal.

I’ve got this brown crap in the valley pan. What is this stuff? Should I bother cleaning it off. Seems like a real pain. I tried my metal brush on it and it doesn’t budge.

[andrewwynn]

Probably just cooked on coolant. You could try some solvant like scrubbing bubbles. I don't think you have to worry about getting it off.


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[SlickGT1]

And people still afraid to put in an e30 radiator cap on. 2 bars on that cap is what makes all our components get stressed to shit and blow out. I’ve had the e30 cap for quite some time now. No issues. Highly recommend it.