Coolant leaking from bellhousing, might not be intake or valley pan

[schigara]

I had to pull the transmission on my 98 740i(bought cheap with trans problem). Anyway, while the car set for a couple weeks waiting on parts for the trans, I noticed coolant slowly dripping from the rear of the engine and down the pan.

I had read the threads about the intake problems causing coolant leaks that would seep out the weep holes in the rear of the block and down the bellhousing. I was finished rebuilding the transmission and almost put it back in thinking the intake and valley gaskets would be next to fix the coolant leaks.

Luckily, I decided to pull the flywheel and see the weep holes for myself and this is what I see.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g439/schigara/5hp24_029.jpg

I did some searching and found a TSB about this gasket on the coolant jacket cover. I ordered the gasket for $10. I pulled the cover and the gasket crumbled. New gasket installed with a little High Tack and I was ready to put the trans in.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g439/schigara/5hp24_030.jpg

I was still thinking I might have to do the intake and valley as well but I have put about 150 miles on her since putting the trans back in and have not seen one single drip of anything anywhere.

Number 9 and 10

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g439/schigara/28.png

[Edwin NL]

Did you change #13 also while you were there?

If it's not using coolant anymore you found the source

[Chief Jimbo]

Glad you replaced that! Would have sucked to have to pull it again..

[schigara]

Did you change #13 also while you were there?

If it's not using coolant anymore you found the source

Oh yes, I did replace the rear seal.


Glad you replaced that! Would have sucked to have to pull it again..

Oh you know it. I would have been kicking myself and cussing up a storm.

[motion]

I might be wrong but you picture shows the leak coming from above the water jacket cover (it's good that you changed it) the leak could be from the passenger side heater hose or the "O" rings on the pipes from the pump in the accumulator.