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Thread: 2003 325i coolant leak? -HELP!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Sacramento
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    3
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 325i

    Coolant leak? Help!

    So I drive a 2003 325i and It appears I have a coolant leak dripping down from the parts in the photo. I’m not sure where it’s coming from. I’m not that familiar with cars, so I apologize. Any idea what the cause would be? I replaced the radiator and expansion tank already and have filled coolant to full and bled it. Two days later the light comes on and says I need more coolant! Any help is much appreciated


    5394BD98-FE02-4FDE-83A8-1F016AECF693.jpg
    Last edited by AndyWhite520; 02-01-2019 at 11:24 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 325i

    2003 325i coolant leak? -HELP!

    So I drive a 2003 325i and recently coolant started leaking from what appears to be under the engine and onto some black plastic hoses. I recently replaced the radiator and the expansion tank, no leak from there. When I turn on the car , it starts to drip here and there and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. Coolant was full and light came on to refill, (3 days). Any help is much appreciated!3DC2187E-348B-4FCC-85F6-509897C27022.jpg

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    431
    My Cars
    2001 330i and 2005 330i
    After the engine cools down, recheck the connection to that lower hose in the middle of the tank. When reinstalling these type hoses, always have the retaining clip down in the locked position before pushing the hose into place. When it clicks, you're home. Just because the clip slides down does not mean you have a good attachment. Similarly, the upper hose with those dual connectors can go wrong. One homes and the other doesn't. Typically, the smaller one. Brace the front part of the bottle when clicking that one home. That expansion bottle has a tad of wiggle room to it.
    Johnny Murray

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,934
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    I don’t recommend replacing cooling system parts piecemeal. At 100k miles it’s time to replace all of the parts regardless of their apparent condition. That includes the expansion tank mounting bracket. Be advised that aftermarket cooling system parts are strictly verboten. Why? The cooling system is the E46 Achilles heel. You can buy high quality cooling system parts at places like FCPEuro. Buy parts that are labeled “OE.” These parts are made by the same companies that supply the parts to BMW. Go to www.realoem.com to find your car’s part numbers.

    Im betting the leak is located where the expansion tank connects up to the mounting bracket.

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