Bmw losing coolant

Timmytom

Hi just wondering if anybody can help me? I have a bmw 318i 100k on the clock, serviced and well looked after. I recently had the coolant low warning light come on, it also had steam come out of the passenger side of the engine. I pulled up and popped the hood let it cool and slowly opened the coolant cap it was really low. I put some water in and also had the bleed screw out as I did this. After driving for another 15 mins I was pulling into a garage I heard a clicking sound and the car cut out.

More steam aswel rang the AA and the guy who came got it started about 20min later but the temp gauge went into the red ( first time). I went home on the back of recovery truck. Got it to my mechanic and he said it was the coolant bottle leaking. I got that replaced and on the way home more steam from passenger side. Got home ( not far) and got out of car and there was coolant everywhere on the ground. Seems to be coming from the passenger side under the seat. There's no wetness on the passenger floor.

My mechanic said it was the head gasket and would be €1700+ and he wasn't sure if he could do it. He's not a bmw specialist. The car starts first time every time. The fan blows cold air and no hot air. I haven't driven it since. Sorry long post just trying to give as much info as possible.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, really need car for work. Many thanks.

BorneTobyWilde

Not sure if that model has a water pump with plastic fins, they tend to fail, And if you were going to do the head gasket you would replace this part too in process, So why not try waterpump first, cheap and quick, Seems to me water is escaping through coolant bottle due to fact pressure builds up ie steam, then it releases it ,Unless you can find a broken hose, but that's unlikely considering you get to fill it with coolant in first place
Try water pump, I'm no mechanic, But I would start with cheapest fix and work toward the most expensive ,

Timmytom

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Not sure if that model has a water pump with plastic fins, they tend to fail, And if you were going to do the head gasket you would replace this part too in process, So why not try waterpump first, cheap and quick, Seems to me water is escaping through coolant bottle due to fact pressure builds up ie steam, then it releases it ,Unless you can find a broken hose, but that's unlikely considering you get to fill it with coolant in first place
Try water pump, I'm no mechanic, But I would start with cheapest fix and work toward the most expensive ,

Thanks dude I'll try that out

biko

Timmytom, I've cleaned up your postings a bit. Just keep all your bmw coolant questions in this one thread, thx.

It doesn't sound like a head gasket at all. Wonder what made the mechanic say that.
Make sure you've tried every other option before this.

Take the car to another mechanic for a second opinion. Preferably a BMW independent.

Cerco

Did you check the coolant filler tank itself? They are made of plastic sometimes fail.

Timmytom

biko wrote: »

Timmytom, I've cleaned up your postings a bit. Just keep all your bmw coolant questions in this one thread, thx.

It doesn't sound like a head gasket at all. Wonder what made the mechanic say that.
Make sure you've tried every other option before this.

Take the car to another mechanic for a second opinion. Preferably a BMW independent.

Thanks for your reply, first time posting on this. Yea I'm taking it to Courtney motors who deals with bmw. He said he'd do tests to find out what it is and if for any reason it is the hg it would be €1000-1200. Which is do-able. My mechanic also said he wasn't sure if he could do it. I think he was trying to price himself out of it. He said get rid of the car. I asked around and was told if the body was ok and it was running ok I'd get €3000-4000 on a trade in. I wouldn't be into passing off a problem onto someone else( firm believer in karma).

Thanks again

Timmytom

Cerco wrote: »

Did you check the coolant filler tank itself? They are made of plastic sometimes fail.

Hi thanks for your response. Yes this was replaced and it was cracked. I'm bringing it to a bmw mechanic who said he'd test it and if it was the hg I was looking at €1000-1200 which is do-able.

Thanks again.

BorneTobyWilde

Just make sure they/you inspect waterpump by removing it,
not just saying its fine, remove it to inspect

biko

Not sure about your car OP but early BMW use plastic impellers that die after a while.
If this is the case then you need a new pump with metal impeller.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1246372-Water-Pump-Plastic-impeller-v-s-Metal-impeller