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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > 06 325i Coolant Loss



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      10-17-2014, 09:34 AM   #1
xxxjecxxx
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06 325i Coolant Loss

Low coolant warning came on and "add 1qt of oil light" on 10/4/2014 at 140,491 miles so I topped off the coolant and added oil.On 10/14/14 140,930 miles, low coolant light came on again but the oil is fine (car usually needs 1qt of oil in between oil changes which happen every 7K with mobil 1 0w-40)

I performed a visual inspection and can't find any external leaks. I've checked all hoses, coolant sensor on hose, screw under radiator (had leak here before), and removed the under cover of the car completely to make sure nothing was dripping on the floor.Performed a coolant pressure test this morning and there was zero loss. Set to 1.5 Bar or about 21 psi and there was no loss over a period of 5 minutes.


Need help figuring out where coolant is going? Thanks

Pressure testing



I installed new spark plugs and coils installed at 135K pulled them out today just to have a look.



Also pulled off the oil housing seal to see if it was damaged but it seems to be working fine.



Last edited by xxxjecxxx; 10-17-2014 at 11:15 AM..
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      10-17-2014, 09:54 AM   #2
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Forgot to add that there are no codes in INPA, check engine is also off.
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      10-17-2014, 11:44 AM   #3
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I hope you replaced that housing gasket after checking it. Any smoke from tailpipe? Oily residue on tailpipes or bumper? What does your oil and coolant look like? Coolant brown? Oil look muddy?
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      10-21-2014, 09:54 PM   #4
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If you didn't already I would replace the oil filter housing gasket. Mine looked fine too but when I took it out to replace it (I was experiencing oil/coolant loss) it crumbled into pieces. Also, did you visually confirm that you are actually losing coolant?
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      10-22-2014, 04:48 AM   #5
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Considering the age of you car, not sure of the mileage, but I'd just replace the coolant reservoir cap. The system is under pressure, the cap has a pressure valve in it. The pressure valve eventually weakens and allow coolant to escape the system. I had the same issue with my car. I just replaced the cap for about $12.
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      10-22-2014, 08:56 AM   #6
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Quote:
I hope you replaced that housing gasket after checking it. Any smoke from tailpipe? Oily residue on tailpipes or bumper? What does your oil and coolant look like? Coolant brown? Oil look muddy?
Haven't noticed any smoke from tail pipes. Tail pipe has no oil residue or bumper. Oil is about ready for a change so it's on the darker side. Coolant has been muddy (very light) at points. Oil doesn't look muddy. I've only used BMW coolant and distilled water.

Quote:
If you didn't already I would replace the oil filter housing gasket. Mine looked fine too but when I took it out to replace it (I was experiencing oil/coolant loss) it crumbled into pieces. Also, did you visually confirm that you are actually losing coolant?
There are no visual traces of coolant but the warning has come up a few times for low coolant. The car sat for 10 days while on vacation in August and when I started it up it also had low coolant.

I will replace the oil filter gasket again.

Quote:
Considering the age of you car, not sure of the mileage, but I'd just replace the coolant reservoir cap. The system is under pressure, the cap has a pressure valve in it. The pressure valve eventually weakens and allow coolant to escape the system. I had the same issue with my car. I just replaced the cap for about $12.
Good call. I will replace the cap as well. The miles are listed in first post.



Thank you all for responses. I will order coolant cap and oil filter gasket and test car out.
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      10-22-2014, 09:22 AM   #7
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If the cap isn't the culprit, would the logical next step be replace the tank? I had some coolant loss and it was the cap, I saw residue on the reservoir. I replaced the cap and it has slowed coolant loss and no more obvious residue. But I'm still losing a bit of coolant somewhere. Can't find any obvious leaks and oil/coolant look clean, no mixing.

Every once in a while, I catch a whiff of coolant while idling at a light if I'm driving hard. I run BMW cowl filters so it's pulling air directly from the engine bay.
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      12-14-2014, 08:04 PM   #8
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It's been a little cold in florida lately and I've noticed a very small amount of light smoke coming out of tail pipe. I looked at cars next to me and even the old cars where not smoking like mine.

I am still having to add coolant every 2K miles and add a quart of oil every 1k.

Changed the oil at 142,280 with mobil 1 (7 quarts) 10/14/2014
Low oil warning at 143,000 12/14/2014

Added coolant on 10/14/2014
Low coolant warning at 143,000.

I don't see any coolant leaking on the ground (bottom engine cover is removed). Passed pressure test as mentioned in first post.

What else can I look at?
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      12-17-2014, 08:51 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
Considering the age of you car, not sure of the mileage, but I'd just replace the coolant reservoir cap. The system is under pressure, the cap has a pressure valve in it. The pressure valve eventually weakens and allow coolant to escape the system. I had the same issue with my car. I just replaced the cap for about $12.
You are awesome! I went back to double check it and I noticed a small piece missing from the cap. I've replaced it yesterday. Hopefully that does it!
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      12-17-2014, 11:57 PM   #10
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Went under the car today to check for leaks again. Noticed small drops coming from the sides of the radiator. Time for a new one!
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      12-18-2014, 08:28 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
Considering the age of you car, not sure of the mileage, but I'd just replace the coolant reservoir cap. The system is under pressure, the cap has a pressure valve in it. The pressure valve eventually weakens and allow coolant to escape the system. I had the same issue with my car. I just replaced the cap for about $12.
This. Replace the cheap plastic cap. This solved a similar problem that I had with an E36.

Also, check all the coolant lines. You could have a little weeping from one of the hose connectors.

Questions: 1) Have you done your water pump? 2) Has your car ever over-heated (if yes, I would be slightly worried about cracked head or water jacket--I killed a couple of M30s in my youth due to over-heating).
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      12-18-2014, 10:10 AM   #12
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I gotta to say that I seem to be having the same issue. Been watching the system for over a year now and cannot see the location of a leak. I went as far as taking the bumper completely off to see if any leaks were around the radiator and such.
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      12-18-2014, 10:22 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundle View Post
This. Replace the cheap plastic cap. This solved a similar problem that I had with an E36.

Also, check all the coolant lines. You could have a little weeping from one of the hose connectors.

Questions: 1) Have you done your water pump? 2) Has your car ever over-heated (if yes, I would be slightly worried about cracked head or water jacket--I killed a couple of M30s in my youth due to over-heating).
The car overheated but I parked it immediately. Replaced the water pump and thermo myself.

I just replaced the cap. Now going to replace the radiator as it seems to be leaking from the sides where plastic meets metal.

Thanks for feedback.
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