3" spot of leaking coolant...

schwaggen · #1 06-24-2013, 02:20 PM

Drove two hours yesterday, highway speeds- After I got home, unloaded the car, I noticed a small spot of dripping coolant just inside/infront the pass. side front wheel- left a spot 3" across on the driveway- never saw it actually drip. Moved the car into the garage, no spot this AM....

Ideas? Given the very small amount, and the fact that it stopped, I'm not flipped out yet, but I'll take it to the mechanic later this week.

TIA for any advice.

Schwaggen > '03 E53 4.6is Dinan SC Blk/onyx

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TerminatorX5 · #2 06-24-2013, 02:28 PM

was it coolant or the windshield fluid? double check - the windshield fluid is notorious for leaking and then stopping...

open up the hood and search for white residue from the coolant - if the coolant is leaking, when it evaporates it leaves white residue all over the place.. you can try to trace it under the hood...

the right side would suggest windshield washer, even though it is not a good indicator - there is a splash guard on the bottom, so the liquid can start leaking in one spot and drip on the ground in another spot...

jazzyj13 · #3 06-24-2013, 03:50 PM

You may want to check if your year has the liquid cooled alternator, if so it may be the o-ring on the alt. My '01 4.4 had a small coolant leak and it was traced back to that.

TwinTurboGTR · #4 06-24-2013, 03:52 PM

Yeah, his motor would have the water cooled Alt. I agree with Term, double check the washer fluid rez. Their are 2 pumps I believe, one for the front and the other for the rear. There are o-rings that create a seal. After a while they fail and leak fluid on the ground. Check and make sure.

jgold47 · #5 06-24-2013, 05:06 PM

also the coolant temp sensor o-ring or is that only for 3.0?

bbultman · #6 06-24-2013, 08:06 PM

small spots of coolant by passenger inside/front of wheel is almost surely the aux fan switch o-ring that is in the lower radiator hose just aft of the radiator connection. Mine would only leak after the truck ran for at least 30 minutes. O-ring is not sold separately but the whole switch with o-ring is only about $15. however, swapping it out is a bit more involved. I did mine when I replaced all the cooling system hoses and radiator.

jgold47 · #7 06-24-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbultman

small spots of coolant by passenger inside/front of wheel is almost surely the aux fan switch o-ring that is in the lower radiator hose just aft of the radiator connection. Mine would only leak after the truck ran for at least 30 minutes. O-ring is not sold separately but the whole switch with o-ring is only about $15. however, swapping it out is a bit more involved. I did mine when I replaced all the cooling system hoses and radiator.

If you go hardcore google, you will find a single thread with an e46 guy who found the correct size for the o-ring. I bought a box at Home Depot for like a buck. 6 months later, no issues. I didnt think it was that hard at all...

bbultman · #8 06-25-2013, 09:21 AM

I don't have time to search for the exact fit o-ring to save some spilled coolant and a couple bucks which is literally nothing compared to the thousands of dollars and time I have socked into my 4.6is. Mine has been well taken care of but after 10 years, things just start getting brittle and leak or break. Yesterday I had my passenger window regulator break (driver's already went). If it didn't have a 4.6is Dinan, I would've dumped my X5 long ago. The things that have gone bad on my X5 plagues all X5s - cooling system leaks, valve cover gaskets, window regulators, TC/trans. If these haven't troubled you yet, good luck. Mine was pretty much trouble free for the first year. I thought I got a 'good one' and was in the clear. Ha!

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