Got my X5, time to join the coolant leak club!

ratbert · #1 10-01-2014, 08:49 AM

Last night I was able to put my X5 in the garage. This morning when I backed out I noticed a 4" or so wet spot that wasn't there before. I have not had a chance to investigate but I suspect its coolant. When I test drove the car I saw where the AC condensate tubes were and this is not it.

Here's what I did. I drove home from work, 45 minute drive, and parked the car outside on my gravel driveway. Probably 4 hours later I pulled it into the garage. Just a quick start, pull up and then shut it off.

Today it's raining but when I get the car back into the garage I'll pop the hood and look for any evidence. I'm told that a coolant hose was replaced under warranty but that's all the service history outside of normal items (oil/filter, brakes, etc). Coolant temp is right in the middle of the gauge. No warning lights are on.

Maybe the expansion tank which has not been replaced. I saw on getbmwparts.com that I can get one for $80. I'm sure the dealer would charge $350 to replace it, if that's really the problem.

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ratbert · #2 10-01-2014, 08:52 AM

The location of the spot on the ground was towards the rear of the engine and in the middle/slightly closer to the passenger side of the car.

g300d · #3 10-01-2014, 09:01 AM

Hmmm, not really common for the i-6's to leak there in my experience.

Every coolant related leak I've had leaked at the front.

I'd be curious to see what the problem is once you've found it.

Sure it's not the AC? My AC dumps around that area.

ratbert · #4 10-01-2014, 09:05 AM

I'm not SURE it's not the AC. The compressor was on and it's been unusually warm and damp. But it was only 1 spot, not 2. I thought I read that there were 2 condensate drains? And also I would expect water to dry up by morning. This was still visibly wet, but with no standing liquid.

I'm going to research the condensate drain locations right now.

srmmmm · #5 10-01-2014, 11:15 AM

You should be able to tell by the smell if it's coolant. My coolant leaks (Expansion tank & water pump) have been at the front of the engine.

2002 X5 3.0 263,250 miles
2004 325i 116,000 miles

bcredliner · #6 10-01-2014, 11:24 AM

As mentioned, you can tell by the smell. You can also tell by how it feels. It will feel a bit slippery, more so than water.

ratbert · #7 10-01-2014, 01:03 PM

I tried to feel it but there wasn't enough to get on my fingers. At 6AM dressed for work with my toddler in the car I was not feeling like planting my nose to the concrete for a smell. But both of those are things I will check if I see more tonight after the x5 has been garaged for a few hours.

My gut instinct is telling me it's coolant. When I figure it out, I will post!

Rockit · #8 10-01-2014, 08:01 PM

Shine a flashlight tonight in your radiator and looks for wet spots....mine just went 2002 with just 89k. The seems start to leak when hot and don't when cool. Also check your coolant level in the tank, if always full its not your coolant.

The best way to check is with a pressure tester and 7psi.

g300d · #9 10-02-2014, 04:38 AM

^yeah, this, some of the parts I replaced (like the radiator) leaked while it was hot and pressure was high, and not when cold.

ratbert · #10 10-02-2014, 06:24 AM

I think reading about all the coolant issues got me jumpy. When I got home last night there was a little water dripping from the ac drain. I checked it and it looked and smelled like plain water. A few hours later I checked again and the same thing. I will still go through the coolant system and probably replace what is expected to leak but for now in in the clear!

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