Coolant Gushing Out!

[jfox00]

My wife parked the car in the driveway for about 5 minutes today (idling) and when she came back out, smoke was bellowing and liquid was running from under the engine. Not good. She shut the car immediately.

I let the car cool down, checked the engine coolant level, and it was (as expected) empty. I filled it a little more to see if I could find the leak, and the housing (reservoir) that holds the fluid is cracked. See the picture, that red line is the long crack. At least I think I know what the issue is now.

A few questions:

1. What is this part called, and what part number? I did some searching on the forum here, and always have a tough time finding what I'm looking for.
2. Anyone replace this before, how hard, any write up?
3. Other considerations - like other hoses that are likely to go bad, and should be replaced?

A few important notes:

1. Planning to get rid of the car in under 9 months. We are expecting our third child - and we need something bigger, and more reliable :-)
2. This is a 2005 X5 3.0i, automatic.
3. AC condenser fan does not work. I can get through winter without it, and then I'll be trading it in.

Thanks in advance. The advice and detail on this forum have been second to none...


Regards,Jfox

[Ricky Bobby]

Expansion tank.

Replace it along with the hoses, Tstat, and fan switch if it hasn't been done. You also could elect to do Water pump at same time if you choose to. Only go OE.

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Cooling - 17117573781OEKT - Expansion Tank Replacement Kit - ES#2588202

That is the expansion tank kit, you could also get the full cooling kit, as the hoses likely are brittle and need replacing too:

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Cooling - ECSE531711-1 - ECS Cooling System Refresh Kit - Level 1 - ES#2158099

[cn90]

1+,

It is the reservoir. Use only BMW reservoir because aftermarket reservoir is bad.
About $90 at dealer.

Too bad you want to get rid of the vehicle in ~9 months, otherwise a cooling overhaul is due now.

I am guessing you have more than 150K...

[jfox00]

Thanks for all the feedback! Since I want this car operational today, I'm going to buy the part from the BMW Dealership in Warwick, RI ($102), and attempt to put it in myself. I thought it was funny - the guy at the dealer said he didn't even need to look up the part number, he said he has "a shelf full of these". Crazy idea BMW - maybe make it more durable?

Since I am getting rid of the car, I will start small with just the expansion tank, and hope nothing else goes bad in the next several months...

I found this DIY on the forum, saying this takes about 20 minutes and is only slightly more difficult that a wiper replacement. I find it hard to believe it's that easy, but I'm going to give it a shot, here is the link:

http://www.xoutpost.com/miscellaneou...ement-diy.html

Thanks again!

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by trader4

You guys sure like to do a lot of extra work and throw money into a car that he's selling in under 9 months.

Lets just hope his plastic hose connections don't crack when hes getting them off the expansion tank otherwise its another trip to the dealer.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by trader4

If it were me, I'd take the old one out *before* going to the dealer. That way if something else needs to be replaced, he might find it out sooner rather than later. I also hope that the car didn't overheat enough to damage anything when idling there unattended .

But if he tears the X apart how will he get to the Dealer to buy parts?

Logistic it just not moving stuff.

[jfox00]

I thought of that, and I also hope there was no damage done while car was unattended. I can't drive the car as it is (water literally pours out of the crack), so I could try to remove the part first...

[THE VEIN]

So what other car are you looking to get?

[four.8is]

Bigger and more reliable-Toyota 4gunner

[jfox00]

I was having a bit of trouble getting the old expansion tank out - the instructions I was following were close, but not exactly the same for my 3.0i, and I think at least one part was stuck to the point I was afraid I was going to break something. I had AAA tow the car to my indy, and gave them the part. Should have it back tomorrow...assuming they don't break anything.

New car, we've pondered this heavily! Wife and I like the Acadia (Denali trim), probably the front runner right now. We test drove the GL-450, but we'd have to get one that's a couple of years old, and I worry a little about maintenance costs once warranties run up. I don't like the Enclave, Wife doesn't like explorer or durango, we both don't want a mini-van, and we see no reason to with with a toyota or honda over the Acadia. Like the LR4, but gas millage is awful (same for GL), and maintenance again would be a worry (we can't afford new, would need to get something a couple of years old with < 30K miles). Any other thoughts?