2003 x5 Coolant Leak

Stmary001 · #1 07-26-2011, 02:31 PM

Hope smoeone can give me an answer to what is leaking coolant from between the bellhousing of the transmissiom and the rear of the engine. It not dripping on the ground when i park the vehicle just a thick sludge at the bellhuosing.But i have to add coolant to the expansion tank every two weeks or low coolant warning will appear in the instrument cluster.Guess it leak when i am driving.An answer to where it leaking from will be greatly appreciated.

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PersonaNonGrata · #2 07-26-2011, 02:39 PM

A common culprit is the expansion tank itself. Try to trace the flow of the coolant although it could be tough to see. Many of us have had to replace the tank. I replaced mine and I could not find any obvious cracks but it was definitely leaking. I was having to top up coolant daily and there was quite a bit of coolant congealed on various parts below the tank.

It might not be your tank but if you decide to change it, I would change out some hoses, the cap, and the level sensor while you're at it.

TriX5 · #3 07-26-2011, 03:30 PM

Your Valley Pan is probably leaking, I just replaced mine.

Other possibilties are the coolant return tubes, the rear coolant manifold or one of the hoses on the rear coolant manifold.

There are several threads and a DYI on how to fix it.

Good luck.

flatlander · #4 07-27-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5

Your Valley Pan is probably leaking, I just replaced mine.

Other possibilties are the coolant return tubes, the rear coolant manifold or one of the hoses on the rear coolant manifold.

There are several threads and a DYI on how to fix it.

Good luck.

Valley pan. The valley in the middle of the engine has a cover which is prone to leaking. When the coolant seeps out of the cover, it pools in the vee of the engine and can mostly evaporate, leaving you wondering "where did my coolant go??" If the coolant leaks enough it will drop out of two drain holes at the back of the vee by the firewall and then go down by the bell housing. I'm pretty sure that is what you are seeing.

Check the DIY for the valley pan repairs. The updated valley pan is relatively cheap ($11), but the repair is very labor intensive and you have to remove the intake manifold, water pump, coolant manifold, etc to get to the pan. It's a good opportunity to replace many parts that will commonly fail (water pump, thermostat, rear manifold gaskets, Oil separator, hoses, etc.

Stmary001 · #5 07-27-2011, 12:29 PM

I have been investigating the leak and the position where it coming from and i have to agree with TRIX5 about the vally pan making a mess of itself. So now come my DIY and to know all parts to order before i started, seems like i got to move alot of things out the way.Thanks alot for the help so far.Question now is where to order parts from and get the correct items for the job.Any advise on that will be greatly appreciated again Thanks alot. Was driving me nutts!!!! trying to find just what the heck was leaking behind there.Was thinking heater core and was about to take that out. My location New York USA thanks.

rocksteadyX5 · #6 07-27-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5

Your Valley Pan is probably leaking, I just replaced mine.

Other possibilties are the coolant return tubes, the rear coolant manifold or one of the hoses on the rear coolant manifold.

There are several threads and a DYI on how to fix it.

Good luck.

Where can I find these DIY? I check the DIY, didn't see anything.

papasmurf · #7 07-27-2011, 05:59 PM

If it's a V8, definitely valley pan.

petener999 · #8 07-27-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stmary001

Hope smoeone can give me an answer to what is leaking coolant from between the bellhousing of the transmissiom and the rear of the engine. It not dripping on the ground when i park the vehicle just a thick sludge at the bellhuosing.But i have to add coolant to the expansion tank every two weeks or low coolant warning will appear in the instrument cluster.Guess it leak when i am driving.An answer to where it leaking from will be greatly appreciated.

Check heater hose #11 and #12 first. See diagram below...