Coolant leaking constantly, need advice please
 

Hello,

My E53 developed a coolant leak today. First saw a small puddle in the garage where parked.

Now the dripping is constant. Couple of small drops every few seconds.

Attaching a picture (from our forum but edited for location illustration)

It is dripping from the big hollow square engine support beam?(for lack of better word) shown with white arrow. It is definitely coolant, not water from condenser etc.

I am taking it to a local shop tomorrow. Am I looking at the dreaded coolant pipe/seal failure?

Not necessarily, but of course is a possibility.

Before taking her in, I would pop the hood and start digging around with a flashlight, could be something easy and cheap like a hose.

If you can't visually see a leak just get the system pressure tested. If its leaking that bad it won't be hard to tell where its coming from.

Yes, thanks Olek. I had the car towed today morning to local shop. They will pressure test it and advise. Fingers crossed.

Thanks I tried to examine when I had the car on ramps yesterday. But again could have missed it.

I did notice my PS reservoir also leaked and the radiator hoses and driver front side were wet with PS oil /ATF.

Ok, the shop confirmed it was Radiator leak after pressure test.

I am replacing Radiator, PS reservoir, the 2 PS hoses under it. Anything else I should be doing at this point?

The coolant overflow tanks always go bad, I replaced 2.

My 2002 top radiator hose went so depending on the year if it were me I would change the upper and lower house too.

Sorry about the wrong word use earlier. I am doing radiator, PS reservoir with its 2 hoses. The expansion tank and cap are 3 months old and are fine.

I don't let any of the rubber/plastic components of my cooling system go more than 7 years or 150,000 miles. Too much ozone / UV effect in Texas.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

Yeah, mileage is 121,300 at the moment.

Cooling system refreshed already barring the radiator and that gave in :)

I would of changed hoses too but only with OE because the rein ones blow so if the factories were good I guess your good. I'm happy for you that it wasn't the stupid cross over pipe.

Glad it wasn't the coolant pipe. The mechanic mentioned the area where it would normally leak for that issue is dry.

For PS hoses, went with genuine BMW. Cooling hoses, need to check manufacturer from previous owner service records.

All in all a grand out of hand this week. I spent more on the X5 in 3 months than I spent on the X3 in 27 months. :)

The Vacuum pump is also leaking oil not just to outside (seals) but towards the brake booster; Any ideas on that?

Since it isn't major yet we deferred the Vacuum pump for now btw. But looking for ideas on it.

cooling system overhaul is on my list to do as well as the pullies / belts / etc. I priced them out for only about 700 in parts.

My mechanic told me today I have to do the coolant pipes f-ckin $2500 , I spent $6200 this year with these guys and every time it comes back with another major problem, and now He dosen,t even guaranty it will fix the problem.............. WTF........

Less than 2 months, another coolant leak, which pipe would this be? Link

And yet, people still question my 1.4 bar cap theory.

Which coolant pipe is he talking about. I replaced all of mine, and my parts came out to a third of that quote. No intake manifold had to come off, especially for any hose from the expansion tank.

There is a little Y hose under the throttle body, it connects both banks. Only TB has to come off, and it literally takes $10 min to change. I raise the BS flag on this one. Part 7 in your diagram.

Book time is what it is. I got update call earlier today that total was 440 something since the intake manifold didn't have to be removed for that hose replacement

Ok so this is what Ive found out...

If the transfer pipe is leaking or getting to the point where it needs to be replaced it would start to leak from the hole near on the front timing cover right next to the water pump. If you see leaks from the front area it could also be the water pump on its way out. I just had to go through that myself! Anyways theres a Stent fix that is a cheaper and easier fix and life time guarantee. Customer Service and Support is extremely good. Something to look into.

Now if you see leaks coming from the back as the OP stated usually that means its the valley pan gasket on its way out. Possible that the side pan seal as well but I believe its usually the valley pan.

Just throwing in my 2 cents.