Check Coolant

[X5SHARMA]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

I would change the cap too if you haven't already decided on it. It's an inexpensive part and they do wear out since they are under pressure. If you're changing your coolant reservoir anyway, order the $7 cap to go with it.

As far as your water pump, your mileage is kind of low for it but it couldn't hurt if you're doing a coolant flush. Then if you do that, you might consider changing out the serpentine belt too since you're in there. It would all be prophylactic and would give you some peace of mind but you might not even need to replace those parts.

I needed to change my belt so while I was at it I swapped out the water pump, even though there was nothing wrong with it. I did it out of paranoia that it was a plastic impeller version and would give out any minute.

I read about the plastic impeller also which is what prompted me to get all these parts to change. Its pretty simple from all the forums im running through but am paranoid myself about breaking something else and/or changing something while im already in there. The expansion tank definitely has a bulge perhaps from pressure on the known hairline crack sections. Got the cap the tank the hoses and waiting for water pump and now the thermostat.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by X5SHARMA

I read about the plastic impeller also which is what prompted me to get all these parts to change. Its pretty simple from all the forums im running through but am paranoid myself about breaking something else and/or changing something while im already in there. The expansion tank definitely has a bulge perhaps from pressure on the known hairline crack sections. Got the cap the tank the hoses and waiting for water pump and now the thermostat.

Sounds like you're on track.

Oddly enough, the water pump I took out of my '02 3.0 was a metal impeller model. It was original as I bought my X5 brand new. Oh well. It really isn't that bad. If you want to know you've got a clean slate then do it all. A serpentine belt, water pump, a few hoses, and coolant aren't that much money. My belt was getting old and a friend just had his X5 water pump take a dump on him so I was extra paranoid. After all was swapped out I knew that my cooling system was good to go.

[bastereo]

There should be a clip of some sort holding the transmission cooler (finned silver thing) onto the radiator side tank/adapter piece. And it is filled with both coolant and ATF in separate passages. There are 2 x-rings and a clip (similar to what holds the expansion tank on)

The picture is a bit blurry, but it looks like there is a large crack behind the ATF cooler on the backing plate, the white area.

[X5SHARMA]

Guys we have success !!

At 30k the belts were changed by dealer.

Water pump looked good have left that alone for now because I need the car running but ive figured out how to get in there for a future date and have also ordered the hose from the heater core to the expansion tank

Currently new thermostat installed
New upper hose
New lower hose
Bleeded the system

The expansion tank was a little tough but it has to line up to the ridges but once in it just clicks into place

The oil cooler I was talking about earlier, I found the clip which was loose and reinstalled that so its good back in there. I checked the entire backing plate but it seemed fine no cracks. The white must have been residue leaking from the tank on the bottom by the thermostat.

Simple green everything and here is a successful picture of first job completed on my X5.

Thank you all for your help until the next move.