So, did some research last night into the area of the car that the valley pan lives as well as the accumulator and related hoses just to get a better idea, it was also fun learning more about the car. Stumbled upon this DIY right up that has to do with all of the potential parts in question.

http://www.xoutpost.com/article/BMW%...n%20Gasket.pdf

It appears to replace all possible leaks on that side of the motor, as my car has 165k on the clock it seems some of the maintenance items he takes care of would be a good idea for me to do especially as I have the freedom currently of not needing to drive the X right now.

I have no prior maintenance history on the car before I got it (bought it at a dealer auction and got incredible luck with issues since), Seems like spending the couple hundred dollars outlined in this write up would be a sensible use of money as I would need to get that far into it anyways.

Helihover mentioned not needing to purchase a new Valley Pan but instead just repair the gasket/seal on the current one, In the write up he just replaced the whole thing, now if I can just repair the seal on mine then I would much rather do that, let me know what you all think

I found the leak!! It actually isn't coming from the Valley Pan Gasket, which does slightly make sense as it was a sudden leak and not a slowly over time leak.

It also appears someone has been this far into the motor before as they left signs along the way.

The problem was a decent tear in the hose that comes from the top of the water accumulator and routes to the right of the right side of the engine bay and attaches to a valve near the front strut housing!

Does anyone know which part number this hose is as I don't see it listed on the diagrams


SO! Here is the question....Do I press on and replace the valley pan gasket while I am this far in or do I stick with what the issue is and don't disturb the coolant cross over pipes and all that?

There was work done in this area as there seems to be a sealant coming from the coolant pipe to water pump housing

Sounds like a heater hose and the heater valve. Look on realoem under the heater section

honestly You are brave to drive a 15 year old car cross country that hasn't been gone through from head to toe.................count your blessings

Drove it to Richmond Virginia last year, there and back no issues or problems, before that it towed a pair of Motorcycles to hollywood from phoenix for a week of riding!

People can talk bad about these vehicles all they want but I have the utmost respect for mine, it has definitely taken care of me.

Water accumulator to water valve hose. Finally found the hose when I searched for the valve it connected to!

Put everything back together today and (after charging the battery for a short amount of time due to it sitting for a few weeks) it runs!!!!

What a cool experience to get that far into everything put it all back together and have zero problems after turning her back on!

Thanks for all the help and input you all gave