HELP coolant/oil leak

[gantilla]

Replaced my coolant reservoir last week as the nipple of it cracked and hose broke off.After replacing it,idk if it has better pressure or what but now im leaking a s#*t ton of coolant somewhere,haven't had time to take a look but now after sitting in my driveway in the sun i now have oil slowly leaking somewhere.Have a feeling i have some major work ahead of me.Not too mechanically inclined but with all your help and write ups i feel confident to do most of what i need

[StephenVA]

open the hood and send in some pics

[crazy4trains]

First of all it's called an expansion tank and not a coolant reservoir. There needs to be an air cushion in the tank to allow the coolant to expand as it gets hotter. Most likely you overfilled the expansion tank which is causing increased pressure in your cooling system which is causing leakage. Take a quick look at the plastic end caps on your radiator. Most of the radiator is aluminum but at each end a plastic cap is crimped on. You could be leaking from that location. You need to clean everything well then try to locate the leak.

Also, how many miles on the car and what is the service and ownership history. Has any of the cooling system been replaced? You've got to give us more information before we can help you. As stated above, pictures!!!

[iShipwreck]

Yup, that was my first guess. Overfilled the expansion tank.

[gantilla]

Success!!! pulled the water pump out and it was in poor shape.170,000 miles, long overdue.Everything looks good and back to normal.I'll have to do a complete overhaul soon but at least i have her back on the road

[Lukrativ]

Hi Guys,

new member and owner for around 6 months. Having worked on the car myself - fixing the regular oily bits and pieces, I’ve come to love my 318ci even though it has the dreaded n42b20a.

Today on my way home, she threw a coolant light, I was pretty close to home so continued driving. The temp gauge didn’t ever move from perfect so no overheating occurred. When I popped the bonnet, there was coolant literally EVERYWHERE! I cleaned the mess and started to look at the expansion tank (which is the original from 2003) and it seemed fine. Stood at the front of my car having a well deserved fag break, I notice what can only be described as a torrent of coolant pissing out of the top of my radiator.

I cant seem to find anyone else that has had this issue so I’m hoping you can help!!!


i have a video but can’t seem to upload it.

HELP!!

[StephenVA]

Posted in wrong forum for a 318i. See the 3 series forums for assistance. Moderator, please list and shift this one....