[froggy47]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caTG1F3Ghzw

It's watery with a slight tint of blue. Drips about 2 tablespoons intermittantly when parked. It is clearly a DRAIN opening, look closely, but I don't know what it's draining?

Maybe A/C condensor?

It's bugging me to not know if it's an "issue" or normal.

50k miles 328I Coupe automatic loaded.

I do have a small coolant level issue, have to add 6oz or so every 2-3 months, but no visible wet leak. There is a trace of a leak under the resevoir at the lowest hose connection, but never can find it wet.

I don't think they are connected but who knows.

[froggy47]

Did some searching & it appears to be a/c drain, however it's picking up a BLUE tint somehow. Next time I jack the car up I'll look on the other side of tranny, there are supposed to be two drains.

Has anyone ever rigged up an absorbant pad or something to catch the drip? It's corroding the finish on my garage floor. Ugh.

Where does the blue tint come from? No unusual smells from the a/c.

[BMWSOZE]

The abbreviated title of this thread scared me

[blingman]

Blue tint is BMW coolant, could be coming from the water pump/thermostat(located on passenger side under exhaust manifold area all way down.

[froggy47]

I posted on another forum & a guy said it might be heater core leak which is near the a/c condensor & both drain down that tube.

The blue tint is extremely light, it is mostly clear water though.

I know how dark the 50% mix coolant is as I have added some myself.

This is like if you took 12 oz of water & added maybe a 1/2 teaspoon of anti freeze to it.

[Bartman619]

.....blue tint could also be the windshield washer fluid .

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

.....blue tint could also be the windshield washer fluid .

But how would it (ww fluid) get to that drain?

[Bartman619]

Originally Posted by froggy47

But how would it (ww fluid) get to that drain?

If you used the washers while driving at a slow speed or while you are stopped, the fluid is swept away by the wipers gets drained by the front cowling. Or maybe you have a leak on the ww hoses and it sprays under the hood when you use it.

[Efthreeoh]

Two things: does it smell like coolant? Does it taste sweet? I'd bet it's just plain old A/C condensation.

[froggy47]

It's coolant, I tasted it & then I tasted the coolant I am using, same taste.

I also tasted ww fluid & it just tastes watery to me ( I do dilute it since I live in socal - no freezing).

So tiny heater core leak that exits with the a/c condensation? Are they located right next to each other under the dash?



I am thinking of the black pepper fix or alumaseal which I used on a couple of my other cars & it fixed small leaks pretty well.

[mike3000fl]

heater core

[froggy47]

Yeah, I think the coolant is getting diluted by a/c condensation before it drips out the drain.

It's very small leak anyone ever successful with alumaseal? I have used it on 2 other cars with success. Including 95 m3.

[BMWSOZE]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Does it taste sweet? .

Please don't drink the Kool-Aid... Jim Jones style!

[froggy47]

I spoke with the gold eagle guy, sealant, and since I was successful both times I used it on coolant leaks I will give it a try. I know some will scoff, but it worked 2x out of 2. SMALL leaks only.

[eric@helix]

Originally Posted by froggy47

It's coolant, I tasted it & then I tasted the coolant I am using, same taste.

Just for the record folks, coolant contains ethylene glycol which is poisonous.

[eppisgood]

Originally Posted by BMWSOZE

The abbreviated title of this thread scared me

+1

"Randal from Clerks: Hermaphroditic porn. Starlets with both organs. You should see the box. Beautiful chicks with dicks that put mine to shame."

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by eric@helix

Just for the record folks, coolant contains ethylene glycol which is poisonous.

Yeah, if you drink it. Just a dab on the tongue is not going to kill you....

[BMWSOZE]

Quote:


Originally Posted by BMWSOZE View Post

The abbreviated title of this thread scared me

Originally Posted by eppisgood

+1

"Randal from Clerks: Hermaphroditic porn. Starlets with both organs. You should see the box. Beautiful chicks with dicks that put mine to shame."

Leaky tranny...I mean common

[07lilredwagon]

I have used the "pepperflakes" before....actually, I used what looked like a waxy stick that resembled that epoxy you knead into a ball...anyway, I had a head gasket replaced that leaked a bit after assembly...the pepper flakes solved the leaks with no side effects. (drove the car for another 100,000 miles!)....The guy at the rebuild shop said that manufacturers sometimes use the stuff to insure no leaks from the factory....

Heads and blocks, radiators are not what they used to be!...look at the head closely...its not pure 100% aluminum....theres all kinds of other metals in there, too....tolerances are tight, we now use "one time only" bolts that stretch.....and on and on....

sorry, got side tracked....I say, if you ask the right radiator technician and your trusted mechanic...and it wont hurt anything...its worth a shot! in the meantime, you can start looking for a low mileage radiator from a salvage yard, or a new one if that is indeed what you need....this may give you some time to find one at a reasonable price...

oh, are all the hoses tight, ect?....is that plastic drain plug's o ring in tact?....I know that sometimes those factory BMW hose clamps become, well, not tight, lets say..they are not the screw type and are unadjustable...so as hoses soften up, the clamp stays the same and occasionally you may get a little seepage....



JP

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by 07lilredwagon

I have used the "pepperflakes" before....actually, I used what looked like a waxy stick that resembled that epoxy you knead into a ball...anyway, I had a head gasket replaced that leaked a bit after assembly...the pepper flakes solved the leaks with no side effects. (drove the car for another 100,000 miles!)....The guy at the rebuild shop said that manufacturers sometimes use the stuff to insure no leaks from the factory....

Heads and blocks, radiators are not what they used to be!...look at the head closely...its not pure 100% aluminum....theres all kinds of other metals in there, too....tolerances are tight, we now use "one time only" bolts that stretch.....and on and on....

sorry, got side tracked....I say, if you ask the right radiator technician and your trusted mechanic...and it wont hurt anything...its worth a shot! in the meantime, you can start looking for a low mileage radiator from a salvage yard, or a new one if that is indeed what you need....this may give you some time to find one at a reasonable price...

oh, are all the hoses tight, ect?....is that plastic drain plug's o ring in tact?....I know that sometimes those factory BMW hose clamps become, well, not tight, lets say..they are not the screw type and are unadjustable...so as hoses soften up, the clamp stays the same and occasionally you may get a little seepage....



JP

Thanks for that post, some folks get sort of hysterical at the thought of adding a sealant to the coolant, but as you state a few manufacturers have used these products as part of their standard procedure. The GM Northstar engine (Cadillac)? is an example.

I am not a fan of the liquid/glass type sealants but that is a very different process than the alum/pepper/walnut process.

My issue is heater core, not radiator.

I'll keep everyone posted.

[froggy47]

Here you go.

I know I'll get some flack for this, but it was this or $$$$$ to a mechanic or a couple of days my labor to replace the core.

Be clear, this is for very small leaks, not big ones.

I don't think there is much downside to trying it & I had good results with another product from this company, do not confuse this with other LIKE products. I am only testing this one.

I will post on the video how it works & how many months it goes and if I get any cooling/heater problems or codes related.

Check back on the vid, I'm not going to post updates here. Thanks for the help guys.