Dodged a huge bullet.

Got home yesterday, got out of the car, and saw a huge puddle of coolant growing underneath when I went to the door and did my obligatory "you are such a hot bitch" look back.

I saw dried coolant around the upper hose connection to the radiator. Pulled it into the garage last night and started pulling things off to get to it. Thank God this happened. I found "cotton" all over the place. At first, I couldn't figure out where it came from, but then looked at the Serpentine belt. It had huge chunks out of it, in some places it was only half width, and there were little ribbons of the belt all over the place.

Spent this evening pulling little pieces of ribbon from around the alternator pulley (it was very tough to turn with TWO belt ribbons around it), pulled the tensioner off and removed the chunks and ribbons of the belt from around it, even having to get a pick to pull the end out from the last piece so I could unravel it from the power steering pump.

These belts are a little more than a year and a half old. They shredded because before I replaced the valve cover, tensioner, and OFHG, they got soaked in oil, which as we all know degrades the belts badly. I had the belts in my garage but got lazy before putting everything back together. Yet another lesson learned: REPLACE THE DAMN BELTS YOU KNOW ARE ALREADY BAD, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR LAZY KIESTER HAS THE BELTS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.

The hose, an OE from Hendrick BMW, was $126, plus two bottles of coolant, which I didn't need to refill and bleed, but I was down to a couple of quarts left of my spare anyway.

I can't imagine how disgusted I would have been leaving work and throwing that belt. At this point, I am actually THANKFUL that the hose was leaking (a VAICO from the previous owner) because it had been two weeks since I had the hood open and would not have seen that belt mess otherwise. And to brag, I'm getting really good at putting a new AC belt on by hand. No install tool.

;)

EDIT 5/25:

****MAJOR CORRECTION****

Now that I can see it in the light, turns out my 14-month-old Nissens radiator is leaking like a sieve. FCP Lifetime Warranty is going to be put to the test. Ordered a new one, completed warranty paperwork. So, other than the $7.99 cost to ship my new one, and my yet unknown cost to ship back the warrantee one (Going as cheap as humanly possible), no cost.

Washed the car, cleaned the interior and took pictures in order to sell it.

Replaced a faulty transfer case (ATC-700) Control Unit to eliminate 4x4, ABS, TC, EBrake Errors. A few days driving in 2WD with no ABS or TC made me appreciate that the 20” staggered wheel and tire package really tames the beast, at least in the dry :)

Traded her in for a Tesla Model 3. She started losing coolant (slowly) and was burning a quart every 750 miles, among other little problems/needs (tires, brakes, front suspension, power mirror, etc). It was time. I’ll miss her, but am looking forward to the next chapter in vehicle ownership.

Removed the center console phone tray

Enjoy the Model 3! How did they treat you with the trade-in?

As expected. About 35% under private party value. However, considering the $2-3k in work it needs (items I listed), I was happy to get it off my hands. I doubt I'll ever own another BMW.

Replaced radiator, only took about 30 minutes. Was sure to put the new seals in the hoses too.

Bled her and fired her up, and what'ya know?

ANOTHER DAMN LEAK

This time it *appears* to be coming from underneath the power steering pump. I think it's that long hose coming from the bottom of the expansion tank. It connects to two different hoses underneath the steering pump. That is where all the coolant appears to be dripping from, anyway.

Anyway, screw it. Going to the dealer tomorrow and paying $145 + tax to have them find the damn leak, then I will order the damn hose from FCP.

Brigette is starting to piss me off. If she keeps this up, I'm going to start seeing other BMW's.

Where’d you get the seals for the hoses?

I plan on replacing the radiator soon. I plan on sticking with the older style radiator with more hoses I believe. Rather not replaces hoses if I don’t have to.

Came with the radiator. Nissens rad from FCP Euro