Bad Day, Leaky coolant hose
 

Actually bad week. My X5 first registered a low coolant level 2 weeks ago. I topped it off, and went on with my life. Then last week it came back. So I did some investigating and could not trace the leak. Come Saturday, I took out the radiator and found that the top plastic piece had multiple cracks. I had already setup for a replacement. So I called the guy to go pick it up (he was nice enough to come in on his off day), once there, it turned out that either somebody had stolen his last X5 4.4 radiator or there was an error in the inventory. fast forward to Wednesday, I finally get it (Monday was holiday). I put in in and everything is looking great. This morning as I'm pouring in the Coolant it's leaking everywhere, of the hoses had not clipped in correctly. So I clip it in and check the others. everything look good so I start pouring again. I followed the procedure found on this site and once I did, a small leak is found. At first thought I thought it was coming from the heat exchanger. but no, its coming from one of the coolant hoses. The worst possible hose it could be coming from. It is above the heat exchanger and in between the fan. Also, it must be pushed Up to clip in, and if any one here has ever worked on those hoses know they go tight.I can get to it, but it is clearly loose.

This little hose is causing so much stress for me. I wish I could simply take the car to BMW and have then fix it, but it's loose and I'm afraid it might fall while driving. I'm just venting becuase i'm so close to loosing it:dunno::dunno: Oh plus its raining and my garage doors don't open :(:(

Are you talking about #3 in this link?

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.4i Cooling System Water Hoses

If the retaining spring clip is in place you can try pushing up with a large screwdriver or something similar from underneath until you hear the *click* of solid engagement of the clip.

Yeah that's it....I have heard the click, but it still leaks. The hose looks fine. In my experience with these hoses, they have to be fitted all the way in, you'll still get the click but it will not be secure...The hoses just wiggles, so i know its not all the way in... I'll try the screwdriver.

Maybe one side of the clip snapped into place and the other side is not there yet?

Well after almost 2 weeks I am glad to report that the X is back in good shape. I don't know what happen, I disconnected all 3 and reconnected them and It stopped leaking. I am so happy. Thanks for the advice.