Water leak

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

Hi guys,
Seems like the BM sprung a water leak.

This warning light came on yesterday on my way to work, stop at the garage and top up the water because it was empty.
Drive to work again this morning and warning light comes on again. Stop at the garage again and the water resevoir is empty again. So top it up again and park the car in the basement to cool off.

Going to check for leaks in a while. Car is also so low in front, cannot get my head under there:nonono:

Guys, what could be wrong and what should i be looking out for

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

radiator leak or hairfine crack .

Will start withe the radiator. :fencelook:

prado · Aug 31, 2012

I was thinking 'bleeder screw' - those plastic screws that are notorious for not lasting long enough but your leak seems to be lower down if so much water is gone.

BTW, did you notice any hissing sounds after switching off? Did you open the bonnet after driving - maybe you might pick up something - water hose blowing out, sounds?

Wonder what could be going on?

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

prado said:
I was thinking 'bleeder screw' - those plastic screws that are notorious for not lasting long enough but your leak seems to be lower down if so much water is gone.

BTW, did you notice any hissing sounds after switching off? Did you open the bonnet after driving - maybe you might pick up something - water hose blowing out, sounds?

Wonder what could be going on?

Hey there Prado, long time no hear.

Sorry bud, never heard any hissing noise. Where is this bleeder screw located?
Opened the bonnet and there is no sign of water anywhere. Power on the car is the same, no indication of water, oil or diesel mixing

Dippies said:
radiator leak or hairfine crack .

Will start withe the radiator. :fencelook:

Thats going to be a mission to check. Guess the whole bumper needs to come out then.:fencelook:

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

I will also suggest you take it for pressure test and remember to take out the airlock you need to bleed the system :fencelook:

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

Dippies said:
I will also suggest you take it for pressure test and remember to take out the airlock you need to bleed the system :fencelook:

Hey there Dippies,
Where can get a pressure test done. Spoke to the guys at JSN motors this morning and they need the car for a few hours for it to cool down and then they can check.
Cabbie is out of motorplan

Nastaliq · Aug 31, 2012

Howsit Jerry,

Do you have the headlight washer system as well?

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

Well i know that Silverton radiators can do something like that. as to the cost i do0nt know. JSN should be able to do it also.

JENICH are you near a hose pipe?

if you are

Try this Cool down the radiator well and then open the radiator cap. Dont Burn so duck for the steam. Fill the bottle and the radiator, that should cool it down faster.

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

Nastaliq said:
Howsit Jerry,

Do you have the headlight washer system as well?

Hey there bud,
No headlight washers

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

damit jerry you really in a Predicament i hope JSN will sort it for you.

Make sure that the car do not run into the red (HOT) section. I do not want you to blow head gasket. :thumbs:

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

Dippies said:
damit jerry you really in a Predicament i hope JSN will sort it for you.

Make sure that the car do not run into the red (HOT) section. I do not want you to blow head gasket. :thumbs:

Hopefully i sort it out soon.

My cabbie does not have a heat gauge so will wait for warning lights:fencelook:

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

Jerry Good Luck Buddy keep us posted:thumbs:

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

So took out the front cover that feeds the air filter, can see signs of water on the bottom left side tray.

Anyone know where the water pump is located

prado · Aug 31, 2012

Hi again, Jerry

Here is some idea what the bleeder screw looks like:

My 528i has another one on the thermostat housing. I think if the water pump blew, there would have been some indication - water spilt - noise maybe.

Check the plastic tank hoses - at the bottom - could be leaking.

It could also be a damaged hose nearby, or a clamp problem. The water pump could have also caused the water spill where you see the water.

Hope you get to the bottom of this soon!

Peejay · Aug 31, 2012

Correct me if I'm wrong but E90s have no bleeder screw. The cooling system is run by an electric water pump.

I have a thread on how to bleed it.

The thermostat and water pump is on the bottom rhs of the engine.

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

I believe you are right went to check and could not find it. Or im missing it :fencelook:

Peejay · Aug 31, 2012

Yep. No bleeder screw.

Could be that one of your coolant pipes, thermostat or even the radiator could be leaking. Next time you fill it up put the heater on max, to check if it gets hot if it doesn't, the water pump has failed.

JENICH · Aug 31, 2012

okay here is an update.

There is a Silver bar like thing when you take the covers of on the E90 Diesel. This things heats up the diesel for the engine to run adequately. There is a leak from there
Heat exchange??? anyone heard of this

Here is a very rough crude pic

Dippies · Aug 31, 2012

:fencelook:

This is gonna be interesting !

freakazoid · Aug 31, 2012

Two months ago I had a water leak on my E90 and it turned out to be a cracked pipe that runs from where you top up the cooling system to the radiator.

What initially started out as a "cheap" R2.5k job to replace the pipe turned into a R13k job. When the dealer mechanics removed the old pipe from the joint on the radiator, the joint broke. It is apparently made of plastic and gets brittle with age. This meant replacing the whole radiator as well as there is no way to fix/replace the joint.

I ended up having the car towed to * independent who shall not be named on this forum* and got it fixed for under R5k including towing.

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