Massive Coolant Leak+Trans Failsafe
 

While driving the 2000 X5 today after not driving it for a couple of weeks, in the 20* weather, the low coolant light came on, then smoke started pouring out. As I was pulling in to the closest lot about 1/10th of a mile away, the trans failsafe lit up and the trans was slipping. The coolant was completely empty.

Any suggestions on what I'm looking at before taking it in to the shop?

Thanks!

Definitely a coolant leak... approximately $600-700 depending on where the leak is and how big it is.

First thing is to make sure you didn't overheat the motor. Which motor do you have? Check to see if you still have a serpentine belt. My guess is you don't which caused the water pump and alternator to stop working. If you still have a belt, then there is a possibility that coolant got into some electronics.

It is the 4.4. It's 20*F outside and was driven for approximately 1/10th of a mile. I doubt that the engine overheated (this time, who knows if something was warped years ago). The belt is most certainly still there.

So something like a bad radiator would be the coolant leak for $600-700?

Worse case scenario is that the passage ways between the coolant and trans cooler at the radiator might have leaked and coolant is now in the trans and that is why the trans is slipping and why you have the trans fail light.

That doesn't sound so bad. I was thinking worst case scenario is trans is shot and it's time to part out or sell the X5.

Coolant in the trans normally means the trans is shot.

Read this

http://www.gottransmissions.com/blog...-freezecoolant

I can't imagine 1/10th of a mile driving destroyed the trans. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I've been through considerably worse with different transmissions without destroying them.

Either way, off to price out a transmission. :(

I said this was a worse case scenario. I would get the code read since you had the Trans Fail message. I would also drain the trans and see what condition the fluid is in. If there is water or the fluid is milky I would have the system flush including the torque converter.

Please don't shoot yourself.

Any estimates or declarations of the cause at this point have worse odds than if you shoot an arrow in the air expecting it to pierce your skull when it comes down.

See if you can find where the coolant came from. It could be as simple as a hose that blew coolant all over the engine. The cooling system is pressurized and coolant is being circulated by the water pump. When anything in the system ruptures the coolant is quickly projectile vomited.