Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

[AdrianNg]

Wonder anyone out there has this problem with your ride ... my water level keeps drying up ... I need to fill like 300ml a week into the radiator.

This problem has been occurance quite frequently .... when that happend, I have changed before vent hose, heater hosse, by pass pipe, radiator spare tank, even the radiator ( brand new set).

Again after all this has been done .... all was well for a while and now this problem has come back again....

been driver for 3 plsu year on this ride but this issue had happended clsoe to 4~5 time oredi ... is this a common fault on e46 ?

Cheers
Adrian
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[jawzsg]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Don't think it is a common problem although I don't drive an E46. Never had any dissappearing water problem for my previous E30 and my current E36. Only when I just got my E30, the first couple of months was like what you said due to the water pump gasket gone bad.

 

[phil]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

mine had it, i just replaced radiator.

wondering if you take off oil cap, the oil is white?

 

[Turbo]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Wonder anyone out there has this problem with your ride ... my water level keeps drying up ... I need to fill like 300ml a week into the radiator.

This problem has been occurance quite frequently .... when that happend, I have changed before vent hose, heater hosse, by pass pipe, radiator spare tank, even the radiator ( brand new set).

Again after all this has been done .... all was well for a while and now this problem has come back again....

been driver for 3 plsu year on this ride but this issue had happended clsoe to 4~5 time oredi ... is this a common fault on e46 ?

Cheers
Adrian
=========

You shd drive back to the wkshop since the parts is replaced new by them . I used to have this problem on my 318 but after replacement, no more issue on this. I reckon high mileage play a part, at least in my case.

I recalled PML services did some "cold test" to detect leaking.
Get it rectify soon to prevent engine overheating. It's a chore to keep topping up not to mention the worries of when the water will dry up.

 

[Derek Png]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Bro,

It might be the Head gasket, whch happened to my ride after changing all the possible link to the water issue. get it check man it is not cheap repair. around 2k or more.

 

[318 NewBoy]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Had similar problem with my pre-owned E46 in the first few weeks after taking over the ride, sent it to the workshop and the ride was left overnight to do a leak test (by pressurizing the cooling system) in the next morning while the engine is cool. Managed to identify the leak and the ride has no problem ever since then, almost half a year now. Cost me around $200 for the repair.

 

[jawzsg]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Hi Adrain, do let us know if you had your problems solved.

 

[cheez]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

HI Adrian,

You might want to check if the expansion tank is causing the problem. Faced similar situation previously on my car and found to be caused by that. Was told by mechanics at J4C that it's a common problem on the E46.. Damage will come up to abt $200 plus..

 

[SpeedyGonzales]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

my radiator light blinked while driving then realised the expansion tank is empty when i reached home. top it up and will continue to monitor. is it normal for the water to dry up over time?

 

[altreality]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Since you almost changed a new radiator - do you want to check if your thermostat is ok ? Mine had a slight leak that allowed vapour to escape... causing fall in water level...

 

[cheez]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

my radiator light blinked while driving then realised the expansion tank is empty when i reached home. top it up and will continue to monitor. is it normal for the water to dry up over time?

It's normal for the water level to drop but shouldn't be too quickly. If top-up needed is once a month, that's probably normal but if you are having to do it every 3-4days or within a week, then it's highly likely there's a leak somewhere. Btw, that was how i realised something was wrong with my car previously which led to the expansion tank changeout....

 

[AdrianNg]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Hi Bros

Thanks for all your inputs. Appreciate it.... I have alsp change the thermostate when i changed my radiator last year....

Anyway, my mechanic mentioned that one of rear hose has a small leak when they do the pressure test..... replaced with a new one and is monitoring it now... hope that it will be ok.

if fact, did also changed this rear hose before..... sign..... it's always rear hose, front hose, radiator spare tank lor .... seems like a common issue with e46.

 

[AdrianNg]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

replace the rear engine host ... monitor it for 2 weeks. so far so good

 

[SpeedyGonzales]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

rear engine host? or hose? confused.

 

[cachaca]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Folks. I definitely have a water leaking problem when I leave it overnight I can see a puddle at the bottom of the car park. Do you all know which mechanic/workshop is good at fixing E46 water leakage problem at a reasonable price? I suppose bringing to PML is not a good idea rite?

 

[phil]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

J4C or BVO

are you sure the puddle isnt from air con?

 

[cachaca]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

Phil: Thanks. Nope. It isn't from air-con coz' my radiator light comes on, and i fill up the water. After 24 hours, it dries up again. Sigh... not good .

 

[cachaca]

Re: Water Leak Problem with E46 ??

By the way, is it cheaper to use Juzz4Cars or BVO generally? Also, is it true that if mention bmw-sg member, can get discount? $$$ is a big concern for me now coz' recently already spent a lot on changing tyres. Thanks.