Coolant leak

[ssd]

three days ago i topped the coolant and perhaps put a little too much in.
drove it to work and came back to loads of coolant underneath the engine bay and the coolant level low warning bong. topped the level and drove home slowly.

started to check for the source of leak found no major signs but still had got a slow coolant leak - check all obvious area from top no sign.

had to remove splash pan and looked underneath...found drain plug head was missing. (looks like it had sheared off in, fact it was sitting on the pan). the drain plug threaded shaft is still in the radiator and it is visible that the coolant is leaking from this point.

how could i fix this? how would i remove the drain plug knowing it has no head? would the head blow off like this because of another prob (like me adding too much coolant)

and is this pointing to a new rad otherwise?

help appreciated.

[lx4life]

Not really being able to see your radiator, you should be able to get the plug out since its a plastic piece but i don't know where you could get a drain plug replacement i am sure BMW or an Online parts store should have one. But you are postive the leak is coming only from there. Why i say that is because i just got my radiator replaced and it was still leaking well the radiator it self was a defect and leaking from the lower side really slow not even an oz an hour, but then there was another leak at the lower hose on the passenger side of the radiator where the electric connection is on the elbow. So just cross check it, refill it leave the splash pan off, let it warm up and look for the leak that way.

[ssd]

See image re the radiator drain plug damage

thanks lx4life;

i have checked no water signs except this area. not sure what you mean by "at the lower hose on the passenger side of the radiator where the electric connection is on the elbow"

i have checked the coolant expansion tank for leaks, i know the water pump was changed not that long ago, pipes have checked as best as i can.

if i remove the damaged plug this i need to drain the coolant first? but how? do i need to drain the engine coolant as well?

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by ssd

See image re the radiator drain plug damage

thanks lx4life;

i have checked no water signs except this area. not sure what you mean by "at the lower hose on the passenger side of the radiator where the electric connection is on the elbow"

i have checked the coolant expansion tank for leaks, i know the water pump was changed not that long ago, pipes have checked as best as i can.

if i remove the damaged plug this i need to drain the coolant first? but how? do i need to drain the engine coolant as well?

you can drill a small hole first and use proper side screw extractor to take that plug out. be careful when doing it because all the surrounding parts are plastic.

[lx4life]

well mena you remove the damaged plug its going to drain anyways since its a drain plug. But as for the other item I talked about if you look from the top on the passenger side of the raditor look straight down you see a lower hose coming from there, there is an electric connection right there I forgot what it is called but there is an o ring that sometimes leak. I don't have my camera with me since i am visiting family right now. but look around that area and you should see it.

[CharlieHustleX5]

But as for the other item I talked about if you look from the top on the passenger side of the raditor look straight down you see a lower hose coming from there, there is an electric connection right there I forgot what it is called but there is an o ring that sometimes leak.

He's talking about Part Number 4 in this diagram.

[lx4life]

Yes Charliehustle that is what I am talking about, I am actually getting that fixed this week, I have to wait for the parts.

[CharlieHustleX5]

Originally Posted by lx4life

Yes Charliehustle that is what I am talking about, I am actually getting that fixed this week, I have to wait for the parts.

Same here....tracking on my parts shipment says I should have them in by wednesday.

You'd think BMW would issue an O-ring part number to remedy the leak instead of replacing a sensor that is more than likely still in working condition, just with a worn out o ring.

[lx4life]

Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5

Same here....tracking on my parts shipment says I should have them in by wednesday.

You'd think BMW would issue an O-ring part number to remedy the leak instead of replacing a sensor that is more than likely still in working condition, just with a worn out o ring.

How much was it?

[Weasel]

And at the dealer, the o-ring is not available separately from parts... I've always had to relpace the whole sensor.