finding drops of coolant

lx4life · #1 02-24-2009, 02:14 PM

I am still finding a couple small drops of coolant (like 2 or 3) on the garage floor after I park my X. So far the radiator, thermostat, upper radiator hose, transcooler O-rings, and expansion tank cap have all been replaced. Took it to the mechanic and they did a pressure test and found no active leaks. The coolant level is not dropping, and no lights are coming on. The mechanic said it wasn’t the valley pan either. The radiator compression tank, expansion tank, and water pump were replaced 50,000 miles ago. Any ideas what it could be? Thanks

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TwinsPoppa · #2 02-24-2009, 03:38 PM

How about placing a white mat/cardboard or equivalent under the engine after you've parked. Maybe that way you can at least get an idea of the location. Just make sure you keep it from moving with some blocks or something.

primetime · #3 02-24-2009, 04:08 PM

Why didnt your mechanic get the car on the lift and look for where the leak was coming from? The only answer would be that he did that, and couldn't find anything which is possible if its evaporating. But if that were the case, you shouldn't be getting drops on the floor of your garage either. Take it back, or to another shop, do what twins says isolate where the leak is dropping from on a piece of paper or card board. Then you can tell them thats where its dropping from. You also said your coolant level is not getting any lower? I'm assuming you are absolutely sure it is coolant and not another fluid..

Vonbimmer · #4 02-24-2009, 04:23 PM

I had a similar event occur and I thought for sure it was a coolant leak only to find out it was blue washer fluid from my headlight washers that wash either frozen or leaking from them. That said the cardboard idea is a good one since it would have alerted me to the fact that the leak was on the very front of the car. Hope that helps.

alpac · #5 02-24-2009, 06:08 PM

How old is your X5? I do not know if this can help but I had coolant leak problem a couple of years ago that was pretty difficult to locate. It turned out to be one of the T shape plastic connectors that connect hoses that started to disintegrate due to fatigue.
Here the post http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...t=coolant+leak

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