HELP!!! Antifreeze everywhere, & not from radiator!!!

[JLMann82]

Well I thought the radiator finally gave way. I was driving the other day and when I looked in the mirror, it looked like I was going down a gravel road. So when I got her home, I figured it was the radiator. Common, right? Nope. I just got done replacing it. When I go to fill it up, all of the fluid is coming out just as fast behind/below the motor. WTF!?!? So I read that it may be the heater hose? What the possibilites? And how would I go about getting ahold of it, myself? Could it be anything else, such as the head gasket? There is no fluid on the upper part of the engine, so I didn't think it would be that. PLEASE HELP!?!?

Thanks!
Jake

[phoenix530]

Not real familiar with BMWs yet (just got mine a month ago), but it doesn't sound like a head gasket. They usually failed internally and you will get steam out the exhaust and/or oil in the radiator. Check the radiator and if the fluid is starting to get thick and gravy-like then it's a head gasket.

Most likely it's a hose in the back of your vehicle (probably heater hose or some type of by-pass hose). I'm also thinking that it might be a freeze plug also. Those are realitively easy to replace (provided it's in an accessable part of the block).

But he way you describe the leak (big puddle on the ground) sounds more like a hose leak.

[phoenix530]

I forgot to suggest that you go out and get a "pressure pump" for the radiator. Handy little tool with a pump on one end connected with a 1/4" hose to a "radiator cap" that caps to the radiator. You pump air into the system and leaks show up. This is a great tool because it also has the ability to detect head gasket leaks (with the built-in pressure gauge).

Very handy when replacing hoses and checking to make sure they are tight!!

[jimmyz2]

I forgot to suggest that you go out and get a "pressure pump" for the radiator. Handy little tool with a pump on one end connected with a 1/4" hose to a "radiator cap" that caps to the radiator. You pump air into the system and leaks show up. This is a great tool because it also has the ability to detect head gasket leaks (with the built-in pressure gauge).

Very handy when replacing hoses and checking to make sure they are tight!!
ditto

[k5r]

Are you sure it isn't the coolant expansion tank. Mine went before and I couldn't find out where it was coming from because it goes out through a tube.

[GriMpY]

Don't forget to check if your radiator plug is still there. Most likely a hose fell off somewhere or that plug fell off if it is coming out as quick as you are pouring it in. Just use distilled water and have someone pour it in while you peep around trying to find out where it is coming from. Wear some goggles.