coolant leak

[LosDoyers03]

Hey Guys! Long time reader..first time poster. I recently replaced my waterpump and thermostat on my x5 2001 4.4. I've noticed now a leak under the car and have traced it back to the water pump pipe (the small one) right behind the water pump. From reading this thread and others, it apprears to be the O-ring on the pipe, but we replaced it when I did the water pump.

Do you guys think it is simply loose or not fully inserted? Does this mean I have to take it all apart again or do you think I can push it in from the back side (I would guess using something thin). If I have to take it apart again, is it easier to go via the intake manifold or back through underneath (removing the water pump).

Appreciate any advice I can get on this. Thanks all!

[hayaku]

take off the undertray and the fan again to go take a look at how its leaking. chances are it wasn't inserted all the way in. did the retainer clip lock into the grooves on the water pump?

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by LosDoyers03

Hey Guys! Long time reader..first time poster. I recently replaced my waterpump and thermostat on my x5 2001 4.4. I've noticed now a leak under the car and have traced it back to the water pump pipe (the small one) right behind the water pump. From reading this thread and others, it apprears to be the O-ring on the pipe, but we replaced it when I did the water pump.

Do you guys think it is simply loose or not fully inserted? Does this mean I have to take it all apart again or do you think I can push it in from the back side (I would guess using something thin). If I have to take it apart again, is it easier to go via the intake manifold or back through underneath (removing the water pump).

Appreciate any advice I can get on this. Thanks all!

You are talking about 2 pipes (run the length of engine block, one is smaller than the other right?). if the leak is small try re-tighten the WP carefully, these pipes are precise length and will seal once the WP is secured to the front engine block, again I assume you didn't forget to have o-ring in the WP during installation. If the leak is from the back, coolant manifold, well time to just do the VP gasket then. Hope not the latter, good luck.

[hayaku]

whoops.. i thought he meant the smaller hose on the bottom of the pump...

[LosDoyers03]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

You are talking about 2 pipes (run the length of engine block, one is smaller than the other right?). if the leak is small try re-tighten the WP carefully, these pipes are precise length and will seal once the WP is secured to the front engine block, again I assume you didn't forget to have o-ring in the WP during installation. If the leak is from the back, coolant manifold, well time to just do the VP gasket then. Hope not the latter, good luck.

Correct. The leak seems to be from the smaller one right where it connects to the WP. I can see it drips slowly and putting my finger on the pipe (lower part), I feel the coolant. The WP is secured tightly but will triple check tonight. My friend did the install and the O-ring came with the pump so I'm guessing he did put it in (will confirm with him again). If the O-ring was not there, I would assume the leak would be alot more than some slow drips right?

I'm wondering if the O-ring slipped out while the WP was being put in. I will see if I can stick a tiny mirror in there and see if I can see the pipe and ring and leak. Do you recommend, I just put in a new O-ring and go via the bottom (removing the WP). I heard you can go from the top (intake manifold) as you will be able to see the entire pipes.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by LosDoyers03

Correct. The leak seems to be from the smaller one right where it connects to the WP. I can see it drips slowly and putting my finger on the pipe (lower part), I feel the coolant. The WP is secured tightly but will triple check tonight. My friend did the install and the O-ring came with the pump so I'm guessing he did put it in (will confirm with him again). If the O-ring was not there, I would assume the leak would be alot more than some slow drips right?

I'm wondering if the O-ring slipped out while the WP was being put in. I will see if I can stick a tiny mirror in there and see if I can see the pipe and ring and leak. Do you recommend, I just put in a new O-ring and go via the bottom (removing the WP). I heard you can go from the top (intake manifold) as you will be able to see the entire pipes.

If someone put a gun to my head, I'll say you have broken o-ring on that small pipe or even missing one. The o-ring suppose to sits in the groved inside WP so not sure if you can check the oring and put one w/o removing the WP completely. You can try your idea first.

[m5james]

If you want to avoid the dealership, find a little mom and pop shop or goto your nearest Harbor Freight and pickup a pressure tester. They're easy to use and then you just start looking around till your find the blue stream coming from your engine.

[Stormtrooper]

Just developed a coolant/ water leak. I belive my filler/ resevoir tank has a hair line crack or two in it. Where can I get a cheep replacement besides the local dealer? Also, my washer fluid has been leaking big time around the rubber area of the sensor, I"m guessing I have to replace the rubber - bushing- thing?

[Stormtrooper]

Never mind. I Found one. Thanks anyway.

[markreg]

Not too long ago, I was having problems with that too.

I got the "Check coolant message" and the resevoir was empty. I bought and refilled the coolant and after driving it for 5 minutes, the coolant poured right out. It turned out that the Radiator was cracked (made of plastic) and had to be replaced.