weird coolant leak...help!

[m3yellowm3]

i have a 325ic with a 98 m3 engine...and well the last couple mornings i have noticed some coolant on the ground...its not a big leak but i cannot for the life of me find the leak...looking under the car i notice some coolant on the sway bar on the passenger side, but the majority of the leak is directly under the drivers side near the front of the vehicle. wondering what i check? any common problems i should check? i had the cooling system presure checked and it was fine...so i am lost, any help would help..

[link16]

Probably do well asking this in the M3 section, but bump anyways...

[ducky328i]

possible crack in the radiator, or possible cracked neck

[drtweak1992325i]

you know took me a while to find mine. i found out my GH was blow. but it was a small leak that you could only see from under the car under the exaust headers.

[Vanos01]

I had one today and took my car in for some other various work and told them to look at this. Nothing but a clamp that was loose. :)

Check the most basic's first.

[m3yellowm3]

thanks for the responses so far...another factor in this is that it dosent leek when the engine is warm, i only notice the leak after the engine has cooled down...i was told to check the neck but judging from where the coolant leaks on the ground, i cant see thast being the problem...any other sugestions?

[Volcom8190]

god i have this same problem right now and its pissing me off, lemme know if you figure out what it is.

[jorbon]

Get it pressure tested at an independent shop, then fix it yourself... You'll pay for the test, but you won't have to run down so many rabbit holes.

BTW, love the swap in a convertible-

[Volcom8190]

Get it pressure tested at an independent shop, then fix it yourself... You'll pay for the test, but you won't have to run down so many rabbit holes.

BTW, love the swap in a convertible-

i forgot we had a pressure tester at work, ill do it when i go in after school tomorrow, thanks :)

[ih8rainnc]

I'll bet a nickle that the leak is coming from one of the radiator side flanges. It's an easy fix, new radiator and hoses while you're at it. The simple test is to have somebody rev the engine while you are looking for the leak. Coolant system pressure is related to RPM and at idle you may not find the source.

[m3yellowm3]

i already had it pressure tested, there were no leaks found...according to the company that checked it...they cant figgure out where the leek is... so i am stumped

[m3yellowm3]

anyone?

[CoolJoe]

I was in the same boat as you where here recently. I tried everything looked everywhere etc etc etc & when I finally found it, I wasn't to happy. :(

I actually found a real small crack on the timing case cover where the water pump mounts up to.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CB43&mospid=47498&btnr=11_0157&hg=11&fg=10

Take a look, it's figure # 1.

The part itself doesn't cost a lot, but it's a pain in the ass to change that out. Hopefully that's not what's wrong with your car though. Thought I'd post up my $0.02. Good luck with your car.

[bkloster]

I have the same exact issue. It really bothers me. The radiator is less than a year old, so I find it really hard to beleive there is a crack in it. Mine only leaks about a tablespoon after the car has cooled down.

[m3yellowm3]

ya mine does not leak alot, and it only happens after the car has cooled down...