[lemansblue90]

Hey everybody,

So I know I posted previously about the coolant level sensor, and I do still need to put that in to rule it out as a potential issue.

However, I have started noticing when I idle the vehicle after driving for a while I hear a gurgling noise and my temps only rise once I begin to hear that noise.

It comes from underneath the hood and sounds not too dissimilar to some Colorado resident partaking in the use of a bong.

So now I have a constant low coolant warning, combined with high temps and a gurgling noise coming from underneath the hood.

Any ideas on what this could be? I would really like for my engine to not blow up on me seeing as I really enjoy this car.

Thank you all for your help on this forum and wish me luck

[HondaRC51]

Have you topped off your coolant reservoir and performed the coolant bleed process? Sounds like you still have air trapped in the system

[lemansblue90]

Originally Posted by HondaRC51

Have you topped off your coolant reservoir and performed the coolant bleed process? Sounds like you still have air trapped in the system

I’m going to bleed it as soon as I get off work and update if that fixes it 👍

[Serf27]

Why is the level sensor not plugged in? Aftermarket coolant reservoir?
It could be air in the system.
It could also be a failed reservoir cap.

[lemansblue90]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Why is the level sensor not plugged in? Aftermarket coolant reservoir?
It could be air in the system.
It could also be a failed reservoir cap.

*Correction please*

I have not replaced the sensor yet but I originally planned on doing so.

UPDATE:

Upon further inspection, the outlet hose is not properly connected and introducing air into the system. Will be draining the system, reseating all the hoses, and refilling with new coolant.

I will update after to see if that fixes the issue 👍

[lemansblue90]

UPDATE:

Bled the system and replaced coolant.

Found a leak from the connection from the reservoir to the outlet hose. Seems like it’s coming from the connection 👎

See pictures:

Anybody have any ideas on if I can purchase just the connector or should I just try to reseat it? Really wasn’t hoping this would be expensive but if it turns out to be so be it 🤷‍♂️

[Serf27]

It’s most likely the o ring that’s leaking.
I would find an identical o ring and replace it.
Otherwise, you’ll have to replace the entire hose.

[lemansblue90]

Originally Posted by Serf27

It’s most likely the o ring that’s leaking.
I would find an identical o ring and replace it.
Otherwise, you’ll have to replace the entire hose.

Definitely not looking to replace a hose that’s only a year old at this point.

I’ll go look around for that o-ring and come back with a part number if I find one though.

[BRG_N54]

Originally Posted by lemansblue90

I’ll go look around for that o-ring and come back with a part number if I find one though.

There was a whole thread about this very o-ring over in the N54 forum recently...

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by lemansblue90

Definitely not looking to replace a hose that’s only a year old at this point.

I’ll go look around for that o-ring and come back with a part number if I find one though.

There is no part number. It’s part of the hose.
You need to find a very similar o ring.

[lemansblue90]

FINAL UPDATE:

No o-ring needed here!

Turns out my outlet hose came ever so slightly loose following an unfortunate incident with a water-filled pothole recently and after draining and reseating we are back to good.

Thank you all for your help it is very much appreciated and will definitely be taken into account when this thing inevitably has coolant issues again. 👍

[jsunma]

My experience, fwiw, is that the cooling system of these cars for some unknown reason is like a house of cards. If you go to mess with just one part, you stand as good a chance as any of messing something else up and then having to address that while chasing blue puddles on the garage floor. Practically, that often means 2 or more repairs to fix something that should have been "just one" hose. The good news is that ultimately it's usually just something like an O ring or a connection that needs repositioning.

But man, I nearly always dread having to touch any of that stuff because of what I know I'm getting myself into. :-)

[lemansblue90]

*I LIED, ONE LAST UPDATE*

So I have finally (hopefully) solved the issue.

It ran fine for a day before the leak began again, much to my chagrin…

Still coming from the same connection and dropping out instead of as a fine mist or anything, this was super annoying.

Turns out the o-ring in the outlet hose was in fact faulty, and after following the advice that was given on the N54 forum, I bought that oil adapter kit from AAP and found the right sized o-ring and replaced it, I will update here if it fails again, otherwise I will leave this post here:

Just because an issue stops temporarily after you change one thing, always keep an eye on it because if it starts again you’ll at least have a better idea of what the true issue is.

Thank you all *very* much for your help and I wish all the lovely people of this forum zero engine troubles and the many blessings of the E9X gods.

[Serf27]

Nice.
I was thinking the o ring re seated and somehow sealed again, which sounds like what happened but it failed again.
These hoses with the c clip are either clipped in or they are not. No such thing as slightly loose.

[tcphoto]

That engine bay is a mess, I would spend some time cleaning the engine, it will allow you to see future leaks easier.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by jsunma

My experience, fwiw, is that the cooling system of these cars for some unknown reason is like a house of cards. If you go to mess with just one part, you stand as good a chance as any of messing something else up and then having to address that while chasing blue puddles on the garage floor. Practically, that often means 2 or more repairs to fix something that should have been "just one" hose. The good news is that ultimately it's usually just something like an O ring or a connection that needs repositioning.

But man, I nearly always dread having to touch any of that stuff because of what I know I'm getting myself into. :-)

Preach, brother. Overflow tube/pipe section across the radiator top was leaking at the seam. Cool, easy fix. Left/tank end popped off, right/hose end snapped the nub off the radiator hose. Damn. Oh well, another easy fix, and Autozone had Rein replacement in stock 2 minutes from my house. Cool. Started pulling it off and rear/OFH side came off fine, front/radiator side literally broke a chunk of the radiator off. ffffffffffuuuuuuuukkkk. So ordered a new radiator and bottom hose luckily, as that broke when I was trying to pull off radiator. Oh, and the Rein top hose didn't seal well and leaked on me. O ring in it finally seated or swelled up some to seal, but that was some anxiety as well for a minute.

So yeah, long/short, just buy new everything.

I love BMWs.