coolant leak

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

hi all, topped up coolant on sunday had a short drive, stuck car back in garage next day had a little antifreeze puddle not much checked level seemed ok. used car next day same in morning small puddle, cannot find any trace on engine ran over a ramp got under and checked nothing! to be found any ideas where it can be coming from gents, new rad fitted last august used today just put back in garage try again tomorrow your help ideas please oh sorry 1.9 manual
big D
BigD
Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: coolant leak

Post by Brian4 »

Where under the car is the puddle?
Have you checked the reservoir cap is really tight, not being patronising, but ours had a small leak and the cap had to be really tight.
Brian
3.0I Topaz Blue


2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
stupot50
Joined: Tue 07 Aug, 2012 08:35
Posts: 237

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Torquay, Devon

Re: coolant leak

Post by stupot50 »

Do you have aircon and were you using it?
1999 2.8 Arctic Silver Z3
1987 Black Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo
2007 325d Msport - remapped
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

Re: coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

hi guys, no air con may be near back of engine, looked at heater hoses seem ok will have a better idea tomorrow. got some paper set up to catch drips fingerx
BigD
Pierrick
Joined: Fri 31 Aug, 2012 22:47
Posts: 484

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: coolant leak

Post by Pierrick »

The expension tank use to leak from the o-ring at the bottom, I change mine and the leak has gone!
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

Re: coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

new rad fitted last august hope its not o ring! might be cap as already mentioned, might need to be tighter try easy fixes first .will update soon i hope
bigD
BigD
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

Re: coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

decided to book car into local bmw specialist, not dealer. full service and check over brake fluid change lot of miles to be done this summer glasgow / bournemouth/silverstone weekend/and hopfully gaydon with the misses in tow so cannot aford to brake down, to just get a ear bending from her you all know what i mean :D
bigD
BigD
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: coolant leak

Post by Southernboy »

The most commom leak point is the small hose from the expansion tank where it joins onto the top of the radiator on the right...they usually leak under heat and pressure, especially when the car has been stopped after a run and the coolant actually increases in temp because the fan is no longer running, and the airflow of a moving car is lost..It's minimal, but annoying. Not sure if your car has the same rad as the larger motors, but if it does, then that's where to look.
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

Re: coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

mine has electrical fan not the viscous type may have been cap just not tight enough car in for service plus other couple job's get it back fri if no phone call's with problems thank's for your input much appreciated
bigD
BigD
BIG DAVE
Joined: Sun 15 Aug, 2010 20:17
Posts: 104

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: MOTHERWELL

Re: coolant leak

Post by BIG DAVE »

garage has now found water leak plastic pipe at back of engine must have hairline crack as it's only leaking when cooling down so will be repaired also found 2 rear springs broken 2 ball joints plus front bushes split and a exhaust brkt in middle broken not to bad plus a service need to get second job or find one for the wife i wish
big D
BigD
Post Reply