Please help! Coolant Leak!

[David_Vasha]

Hey everyone, I'm sort of a novice when it comes to participating in this forum but I've been forced to post on here after my research ended up empty handed. I own a 2005 BMW Z4 3.0 and recently I've discovered that some of my coolant has run down onto my belts and which sort of slung it onto my air intake box. I noticed this after seeing some white remnants of dried coolant on the side of the air intake box but I can't seem to find the leak anywhere. As of right now I'm thinking it's the water pump but I'm not too entirely sure since I've never had such a situation before. I'll try to send in some pictures when I've got some time, hopefully they'll help give you all an idea of what's going on.
Thanks in advance.

[David_Vasha]

Is there anyone that can help?

[B328iC]

Could water pump, thermostat, a hose. Pictures would help.

[Steeler]

Expansion tank is another known leak point.
How many miles on the car?

[WickedNy]

If your around 80k I'd say redo it all ... expansion tank thermo and pump, I chose to do hoses but that would be up to you

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Expansion tank is another known leak point.
How many miles on the car?

My car is at about 107,000 miles

[Steeler]

Pics will help. Cooling system due for an overhaul at those miles if still original

[WickedNy]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Pics will help. Cooling system due for an overhaul at those miles if still original

Whs

[David_Vasha]

Here are the pictures. After some investigation I found out that the coolant reservoirs leaking a little bit. That still doesn't explain how there is some coolant flinging into my air box...

[Steeler]

Place a piece of cardboard under your radiator area overnight and note location of drips next day. Should pinpoint the leak area.

Also any leakage of fluids will be pushed towards the rear of the car when vehicle is at speed. The pulleys will pick up that fluid and fling it.

Lastly, replace those parts noted by WickedNY. It’s time. And cheap insurance

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Pics will help. Cooling system due for an overhaul at those miles if still original

I think that my plan of action will be to first replace the coolant reservoir since I know for a fact that is one thing that is at fault. If the problem isn't fixed then I'll do what you have mentioned. As an 18 year old getting into bmws this was devastating for me so thank you everyone for your input.

[WickedNy]

Preventative maintenance, be thankful your situation wasn't like mine... out of state, no prior warnings, coolant tank ruptured while driving on weekend. Towing + paying for somebody do to something that id do myself at home...stealership prices...lesson learned + 1 expansion tank in garage parts bin

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by WickedNy

Preventative maintenance, be thankful your situation wasn't like mine... out of state, no prior warnings, coolant tank ruptured while driving on weekend. Towing + paying for somebody do to something that id do myself at home...stealership prices...lesson learned + 1 expansion tank in garage parts bin

It's such a sad reality when a owners of bmws start calling dealerships a stealership. Really says something about BMW and their way with customers.

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by David_Vasha

I think that my plan of action will be to first replace the coolant reservoir since I know for a fact that is one thing that is at fault. If the problem isn't fixed then I'll do what you have mentioned. As an 18 year old getting into bmws this was devastating for me so thank you everyone for your input.

If it is leaking from the reservoir then make sure you don't drive it at all. It can explode at any second. Good place to get the parts is ECS Tuning, it's where I get all of my parts. Luckily it's not too expensive for the parts and it's a very easy car to work on. Mine went out on the highway, no fun! I replaced every part in the system. Might be good to replace the oil filter housing gasket while you're in there, that also is a matter of time and is cheap and easy to do. Valve cover gasket is the other thing. Other than those things you're set...besides the crazy steering these things get in the heat. That too has a solution, free but tricky.

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

If it is leaking from the reservoir then make sure you don't drive it at all. It can explode at any second. Good place to get the parts is ECS Tuning, it's where I get all of my parts. Luckily it's not too expensive for the parts and it's a very easy car to work on. Mine went out on the highway, no fun! I replaced every part in the system. Might be good to replace the oil filter housing gasket while you're in there, that also is a matter of time and is cheap and easy to do. Valve cover gasket is the other thing. Other than those things you're set...besides the crazy steering these things get in the heat. That too has a solution, free but tricky.

Noted, although I have checked the gaskets on what you stated and they all seem to check out for now. I just need to get this stupid coolant stuff situated. Luckily my uncle is a mechanic so I'll buy the parts and have him advise me on the matter.

[David_Vasha]

Hey everyone. After some more deep digging and investigation it's the thermostat that's at fault. I found one online that's an aluminum build. Should I get that one or should I stick with the plastic ones?

[WickedNy]

Originally Posted by David_Vasha

Hey everyone. After some more deep digging and investigation it's the thermostat that's at fault. I found one online that's an aluminum build. Should I get that one or should I stick with the plastic ones?

Honestly don't skimp out highly highly suggest you replace all listed above...learn from others misfortunes

[kaybat]

lots of variables.are you keeping it for the long haul? I'd get the stewart pump