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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 > Blue liquid leak



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      01-30-2020, 06:49 AM   #1
mlhamil3
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Blue liquid leak

First time BMW owner. It's a 2011 328i xDrive with 112,000 miles. I just recently started noticing small leak that appears to be blue at the very front right hand side of the car (passenger side). I'm not sure if it's coolant or windshield wiper fluid. It does not fee oily. See the pictures. Please help advise on what this could be and possible fixes.
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      01-30-2020, 06:57 AM   #2
tony55343
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Could be washer fluid or coolant, they are both blue. Due to the light color I'd say washer fluid, however due to the fact it is at the very front, makes me think coolant lol. I have a e92 and my washer reservoir leaks at times .

Check coolant reservoir level, and washer fluid level. If either is low fill up to max, and than recheck after a bit to determine which the fluid is from
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      01-30-2020, 06:58 AM   #3
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Looks like a cracked radiator to me. Had he same color leak 2weeks ago.
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      01-30-2020, 07:03 AM   #4
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What is the color of your windshield washer? If it's not blue then it's definitely coolant.

Try tasting it with your tongue and compare it to what your windshield washer tastes like.

But I am leaning more coolant rather than windshield washer based on those pics.
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      01-30-2020, 01:25 PM   #5
mlhamil3
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I forgot to mention that I checked the coolant level and it's completely full. I just refilled the windshield washer fluid like 1 month ago with orange fluid.
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      01-30-2020, 01:26 PM   #6
omadab
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Do you have headlight washers?
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      01-30-2020, 02:14 PM   #7
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Put it on ramps, look at the radiator and see if there is residue in the area. You can open the ET, check the coolant level and compare the two liquids. The least urgent situation is a windshield wiper solution leak but still should be addressed.
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      01-30-2020, 06:14 PM   #8
mlhamil3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omadab View Post
Do you have headlight washers?
Yes I do
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      01-31-2020, 12:11 PM   #9
omadab
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlhamil3 View Post
Yes I do
Considering that your saying that your washer fluid is orange, its probably not that, but when I was looking for my e92 I ran into a car where the headlight washer wouldn't pull out so it would spray on the inside of the car and leak onto the floor.
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      01-31-2020, 04:43 PM   #10
Donutz
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Coolant. If you're inclined, start taking things apart. Get your head down under the car and look up to see if you can trace the leak. Could be your rad, or many of the hoses. While a little far up, there is a thin hose that runs across the top of the rad or fan that becomes very brittle. This is an easy one to check.
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      02-01-2020, 08:00 AM   #11
Efthreeoh
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Just taste it. If it's sweet, it's coolant. But I'd say it's probably washer fluid from the right headlight washer. The orange fluid probably has just not yet reached the washer head. The fluid you pictured looks tool light in translucency to be coolant.
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