Coolant flowing out of resovior after parking. Hissing/bubbling sounds. Puddle.

[jeremym]

Note: bolded a few of the key facts to make the reading easier.

So we just got back from a short (6 mile) round trip to Sam's Club and back. I parked, started unloading some of the things we got, and I heard a hissing and bubbling sound. I thought it was the drain in the floor under the X, so I didn't think much of it. After a few minutes of this happening as I was unloading stuff, I looked under the vehicle and sure enough, a pretty rapid dripping of fluid was coming out. I put my hand near it to get a sense of the temperature and it didn't seem hot, nor was it steaming. I put my fingers in it, and it was a blueish-clear color. It felt oily, or rather, not water-like.

The location was the drivers side front, right behind the wheel. I popped the hood open and saw some steam coming from under, what I believe is, the coolant reservoir on the drivers side. It was coming from under the black tank with the cap that says "do not open when hot" (or something along those lines) so that leads me to believe it's the coolant reservoir?...oh and the hose going from that to the radiator was a good tell.

Anyway, I checked iDrive and no warnings popped up. I also turned everything off an started the engine back up, started with no warnings. I let it run for only about 10 seconds, and then shut it off.

I am under CPO, so I hope this is covered. It sucks, I had just had it in for parking break malfunction service, and an oil change, about a month ago. Oh well.

Can anyone verify my thoughts/findings? I tried to take a few photos, but had limited light and a small flashlight, so I hope they help.

[Nick3753]

My 07 reservoir cracked at about 60-70k miles. It's a fairly common issue. It was covered under my 3rd party warranty. Just make sure you put in BMW coolant if you need to top off before getting to the dealer.

[jeremym]

Thanks. Yeah I have about 55k on mine.

[jeremym]

I just went downstairs and didn't see any more leaking, but I did open the expansion tank and the coolant level is below the MIN marker, and the float is all the way down as far as it can go. I do see some coolant in there, but it's not filled by any means.

Anyway, I am waiting on a tow truck driver to come pick the X5 up, since I don't feel like risking it and being on the side of the highway, without a motor to heat the cabin, in 25 degree weather.

I do, however, see where the leak was, and how it leaked down the components inside the engine bay and to the floor, so there is solid evidence that it was coolant that did leak out. I was considering perhaps it may have been the front strut, but I didn't see any leaking from that.

Anyway, I guess the cooling system is covered by CPO, according to bmwusa.com. Also, the tow is free. Not sure if this is because I subscribe to BMW Assist or because it's just included with any BMW warranty. Regardless, it seems overkill to get towed, and if it was summertime, I'd agree. However, being stranded for a couple of hours on the side of the highway in cold weather isn't my idea of fun.

Also, yeah, the earliest tow truck is at least two hours out, the other companies were at least five hours out. So, looks like I'm working from home today.

[jeremym]

Sorry for the horrendous BlackBerry photo. Off she goes.

[JCL]

Good plan to have it towed. Not having heat can be a problem in that weather, but a bigger risk is losing more coolant and the engine overheating, with consequential damage to the cylinder head.

Someone will post that you are supposed to use a flatdeck. Nothing wrong with a wheel lift as long as the rear wheels are on a dolly, as shown.

Should be covered fine. Not an uncommon problem. Good luck.

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by JCL

Good plan to have it towed. Not having heat can be a problem in that weather, but a bigger risk is losing more coolant and the engine overheating, with consequential damage to the cylinder head.

Someone will post that you are supposed to use a flatdeck. Nothing wrong with a wheel lift as long as the rear wheels are on a dolly, as shown.

Should be covered fine. Not an uncommon problem. Good luck.

Well that was my point, if something happened on the road, I would pull over and immediately turn off the engine, and hence would have no heat. Obviously overheating the motor was something I wanted to avoid, as well as underheating myself.

I'll update the thread if I have any updates. So far, I just got a call saying my X5 arrived at the service center and that "it should be covered under CPO." I KNOW it's covered under CPO, but I understand why my SA didn't want to tell me 100% without actually looking at the vehicle.

[nachilus]

Originally Posted by jeremym

Well that was my point, if something happened on the road, I would pull over and immediately turn off the engine, and hence would have no heat. Obviously overheating the motor was something I wanted to avoid, as well as underheating myself.

I'll update the thread if I have any updates. So far, I just got a call saying my X5 arrived at the service center and that "it should be covered under CPO." I KNOW it's covered under CPO, but I understand why my SA didn't want to tell me 100% without actually looking at the vehicle.

Mine is in the shop now for the same thing.

It only leaks when its under pressure, or fluid is moving. They told me it was a leak in a hose and the vacuum pump.

I should have it back today and I will let you know what the exact writeup is.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by jeremym

Well that was my point, if something happened on the road, I would pull over and immediately turn off the engine, and hence would have no heat. Obviously overheating the motor was something I wanted to avoid, as well as underheating myself.

I'll update the thread if I have any updates. So far, I just got a call saying my X5 arrived at the service center and that "it should be covered under CPO." I KNOW it's covered under CPO, but I understand why my SA didn't want to tell me 100% without actually looking at the vehicle.

If you had a loss of coolant on a BMW engine, you may not have any warning that there was a problem until it was too late and something was permanently damaged.

Your CPO doesn't cover all risks, so they will need to see it to determine coverage. It doesn't just depend on what component has failed, but also on why it has failed. Consequential damage often isn't covered, for instance.

[jeremym]

Originally Posted by JCL

If you had a loss of coolant on a BMW engine, you may not have any warning that there was a problem until it was too late and something was permanently damaged.

Your CPO doesn't cover all risks, so they will need to see it to determine coverage. It doesn't just depend on what component has failed, but also on why it has failed. Consequential damage often isn't covered, for instance.

Right. However, the "coolant system" is covered under CPO and hence, I am covered. Only idiots drive their vehicle with a known issue such as this, in my opinion.


I just got a call from my SA. He said the expansion tank was cracked and they replaced it under CPO. Should be picking it up later tonight. I will post the exact details here when I get the paperwork.