Noob question on a Coolant leak

[Miclin]

Let me preface by admitting that I’m noob but am trying to learn as much as I go along. Been going over a new to me e36m3 by doing some routine maintenance. While changing all the fluids in the car I noticed what looks like coolant leak coming from top of the transmission. I was able to locate a white plastic fitting above the transmission that’s slowly dripping green fluid. Any idea what I’m looking at and how to go about fixing it?

Thanks




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[shogun]

that is probably moisture drained from the aircon system. See realoem.com there are the parts shown. As long as it does not smell like coolant, just moisture from the IHKA system drain, if it smells, you have a coolant leak there. But as you say it is green, what is the coolant colour?
Do you have any coolant loss? Does it smell inside the cabin?

[Miclin]

The car is new to me so I haven’t had much time with it to know if it has any significant coolant loss. There is no smell in the cabin that I noticed. I did just flush the system with blue antifreeze but the fluid that’s leaking looks very much like the prior green antifreeze

Hopefully it’s not too serious.


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[ScotcH]

replace your guibo

[Miclin]

replace your guibo

Thanks for noticing it. The to do list is certainly getting longer. Think I’m just going to replace the heater core since that’s probably a likely culprit for the antifreeze leak. Suspension (rtab, springs, strut) next with guibo to follow. I’m sure I’ll find something else along the way. Even though I’m pretty noob at this, I’m looking forward to doing this by myself with help of DIYs and forum knowledge.




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[RRSperry]

Yep. it's toast. (or it's at least in the toaster and will very soon be toast.), oh, and that is the heater/AC drain, so if it's coolant, your heater core may be leaking. Is your coolant green? does it taste sweet. (and no, I'm not suggesting you drink it, but just a taste isn't going to kill you...)

[Miclin]

Nope, not going to taste any questionable fluid leaks from any thing (inanimate or living). It definitely looks like antifreeze since it’s bright neon green.

I’m working on getting to the heater core to have a peek and need a some sage advice. I got the center console out including the climate control. I followed the DIY and got all the screws for the heater core cover out but am having a hell of a time trying the get the cover out. The vent flap is out of the way too. Is there some kind of trick to do this?


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[CanyonDestroyer]

I'm faced with a similar situation on my 98 M3. I've already repaired a couple of minor coolant leaks, but just this past week I've started to notice a little coolant smell in the cabin of my car sometimes. It also happens near the rear of the engine but only if I've been driving it for a while. I'm HOPING it's something like the heater core or some kind of connection to the heater core. Sadly I've been spending too much time diagnosing/fixing other issues with the car to get around to checking the heater core/connections/etc. But this post has already given me some new insights, so ty!

By the way, congrats on your new e36 M3 purchase... I hope your car brings you as much joy as mine has brought to me this past year.....

[TostitoBandito]

Not sure about the location in your case, but bright neon green could also be AC refrigerant. Often there's green UV dye in it.

OEM BMW antifreeze is blueish in color.

[Miclin]

@canyondestroyer: car is certainly brining a lot of fun but also some frustration as well. I had to cut some unnecessary tabs on the heater core cover in order to get it out. Along the way I managed to lose a screw down a vent. Took the advice of jacking up the rear high and kept the front low and was glad that only small amount of antifreeze dribbled out when I finally got the heater core out. The bottom of the heater core is wet but not sure if that’s from the ac condensation or an actual leak. I’ll give it a good wipe and see if the core is damp again. Regardless a new one will be going in.

@tositiobandito: god I hope it’s not refrigerant. The evaporator looks pretty good and dry from what I can see. My car has been the stand for 2 weeks without the ac running. I noticed the leak after coolant flush which made me suspect heater core. Unfortunately it was green antifreeze before and I just put in blue so really can’t tell. I also thought refrigerant tend to evaporate at low temp. Hate to replace the heater core only to have to go back in again. I can order a black light or save the money and seriously consider a taste test....... not sure what refrigerant taste like and not sure if I want to find out.


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[TostitoBandito]

I dunno, I'd much rather have a small AC leak than any sort of coolant leak. My AC has had a small leak near the evaporator for years. I just recharge it once a year, until someday I feel like trying to fix it. Unlike a coolant leak, it is no danger to the car.

[1000hp]

heater core. Smell that green stuff and report back. Could be A/C dye, or could be coolant. Either way, the dash and HVAC box is coming out in order to fix it.