Engine Coolant Leak

[sierrasg]

I had my 1st towing experience today when my engine temp started rising to the red label on the temp gauge with the coolant top-up warning light on after driving less than 1 km.

Water top-ups did not help and I had to call for a tow.

Need help on 2 fronts:
1. What is the possible damage if the temp hits the redline? It did so in less than 3 mins from top up. I am worried as I did not check the temp gauge last night when the coolant light came on.

2. What could be the cause of the problem? It is quite sudden. The coolant top-up light came on last night, I did a top up and it appear ok.

Regards,
Alvin.

 

[davidtch]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

I had my 1st towing experience today when my engine temp started rising to the red label on the temp gauge with the coolant top-up warning light on after driving less than 1 km.

Water top-ups did not help and I had to call for a tow.

Need help on 2 fronts:
1. What is the possible damage if the temp hits the redline? It did so in less than 3 mins from top up. I am worried as I did not check the temp gauge last night when the coolant light came on.

2. What could be the cause of the problem? It is quite sudden. The coolant top-up light came on last night, I did a top up and it appear ok.

Regards,
Alvin.

1st of all, are you sure it is caused by leak coolant?

Bleeding screw on my E39 520 broke & coolant was shooting out all over my engine bay. My water temp did not increase. In addition, after top up, i could still drive around without temp increase. Could it be the cooling fan not working anymore?

 

[benjquek]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

I had my 1st towing experience today when my engine temp started rising to the red label on the temp gauge with the coolant top-up warning light on after driving less than 1 km.

Water top-ups did not help and I had to call for a tow.

Need help on 2 fronts:
1. What is the possible damage if the temp hits the redline? It did so in less than 3 mins from top up. I am worried as I did not check the temp gauge last night when the coolant light came on.

2. What could be the cause of the problem? It is quite sudden. The coolant top-up light came on last night, I did a top up and it appear ok.

Regards,
Alvin.

Hi Alvin i personally experienced this once on my e90 and i manage to drive to the workshop the 1st possible explanation might be there is a choke on your radiator. Secondly it maybe your hose that are starting to give way

 

[cheez]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

hi bro, a common problem on the E46 is the expansion tank giving way.. Happened to my E46 previously.. U mentioned that you top up and it appeared ok. Yah, that happened to mine last time too.. But once you have the engine running, and with pressure building up, you will see the coolant cum water spurting out from the leak in the expansion tank.. Damage should be in the $200-$300 if it's the expansion tank, hope this helps...

 

[sierrasg]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

Hi bros,

Thanks for your replies. Happily, I got my car back from repairs yesterday although it cost quite a bit.

The coolant expansion tank as well as the top & bottom hoses were leaking. The radiator had to be changed as well.

Does this have anything to do with being hard on the pedals?

Cheers,
Alvin.

 

[cheez]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

Think it's got to do more with age then being hard on the pedal.. Those replacement parts you mentioned are generally made of rubber/plastic which tend to degrade under extreme heat and prolong use..

 

[sierrasg]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

Yup, you are right. The car is 6 yrs old. Am expecting more wear/tear.

 

[C3P0]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

Nothing to do with pedals. Just a very common wear and tear. It is actually worse on the 318, I was told by Ah Wee from BVO.

 

[pengful]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

My ride is 3 yrs+ and just replaced the radiator which cracked. I was told wear and tear else radiator maker will run out of business...

 

[buckrogers]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

bro,

How much is the damage?

My radiator indicator light up 2x already and I think its about time...

my E90 is coming to 5 yo soon...

cheers

 

[cng79]

Re: Engine Coolant Leak

My 04 , e46 318i, I am having same problem here, coolant dripping after I drive. The indicator light up n just top up, n it goes off after that. Temp is at half of it(is this normal temp?) Question 1) after topping up water , can I still drive say like 20km from my house to office for few days?. W/o indicator light up. 2) what's the damage to repair this leaking? n where ?