Coolant Leak

[ca911]

Hi Everyone,

I recently had the thermostat replaced on my X5 and the dealer somehow knocked the oil cooler so separated from the radiator while I was parked. I came out to a bunch of what turned out to be coolant leaking and after driving for a bit the car started to overheat. The issue has since been fixed, but I am still paranoid about any sort of leak from my X.

I was wondering, what does coolant look like when it looks? Does it have any sort of smell? I do have what seems to be water leaking on occasion when I park (dealer says it is condensation from the air conditioning) but I just wanted to know what coolant looks/smells like so I can tell if a leak ends up being coolant related.

Thanks so much!

[Eurosport]

bmw coolant is green, dark greenish
if clear water is what you see towards middle of the car yes, that's condensation from AC

[zacman]

If you do have coolant, like stated previously it will be greenish, and it will have a "sweet" smell....

[Arudge]

It also smells sweet. Smell coolant once and you will be able to identify it forever.....

[jst2878]

take the suspected leak and put the tip of your finger in it and taste it will be sweet. spit out after u taste, thats the best way to tell if your leaking on the ground and you are unsure what color it is.