320i leaking coolant

[GTB320i]

Hi, my 2004 E46 320i has started to leak coolant - been topping it up each morning. I've booked it into Zeemax for a pressure test to find the leak.

How much does it cost for a total cooling system overhaul as I've heard these are weak point on these cars?

 

[Nick]

The expansion bottle noramly pops after a while ... my dads e46 318 has been through this befor .

 

[drugekull]

Is it leaving puddles anywhere

It could maybe be a blown head gasket

Do you smell antifreeze in the exhaust when your car is running

Is there oil in the radiator water?

 

[GTB320i]

It seems to leak on start up. No other symptoms, oil on dipstick not creamy. No funny smell from exhaust, no smoke.

 

[frikkieh]

"It seems to leak on start up" - Why do you say that? - do you see any visible signs of a leak? :thinking:
I believe there is coolant in the system, so you will see the stains.
Do a thorough inspection of the radiator and the expansion tank. Check the corners for cracks. It can be hard to spot if the coolant does not stain the parts.

 

[GTB320i]

Hey frikkieh, I say that because I have a visible "coolant trail" on the floor where my car reverses in the morning. Funny thing is, the coolant light didn't come on this morning. In any case I am going to take it in to have the cooling system checked out, better than running the risk of the engine overheating.

Why can't BMW sort their cooling systems out? My father had an E32 & E34 and both had water pumps that went. My previous E36 had cooling system issues too. Seems to be the weakest link on all their cars.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Dude check the expansion tank, that's the thing where you put in the coolant. Mine decided to blow up one morning when I got to work, and I know they are normally the weakest link in the chain.

 

[Mphoza-ti]

Is it leaving puddles anywhere

It could maybe be a blown head gasket

Do you smell antifreeze in the exhaust when your car is running

Is there oil in the radiator water?

so what it may be when u experience these:smell antifreeze in the exhaust when your car is running, oil in the radiator water

 

[freerider]

I had the same thing with my 320i 2003, replaced everything myself and the price came to about R4500

 

[Rambam]

Yup, will most likely be the coolant reservoir, they are prone to cracking after a while. Can get non OEM part for R650, quick 45 minute DIY job to replace, just beware cause there are 3 different types for the E46, take it off first then go buy the part so you make sure you get the right thing. The one hose clamp undernear the reservoir can be a b!tch to connect if its the same as mine.

Good luck!

 

[drugekull]

Is it leaving puddles anywhere

It could maybe be a blown head gasket

Do you smell antifreeze in the exhaust when your car is running

Is there oil in the radiator water?

so what it may be when u experience these:smell antifreeze in the exhaust when your car is running, oil in the radiator water

Sorry is that a question or a statement

These are all signs of a blown head gasket. It can blow between the combustion chamber and a water way in the block and cylinder head so you will get a smell of antifreeze coming from the exhaust since it burning the water. you can have the reverse happen if it blows between an oil passage and the water passage in the block the water in the radiator will have oil or you can have water in the oil.

I don't hear of many cylinder head gaskets blowing on BMW's so I don't think its a common occurence

 

[Iceman007]

Where is the best place to get an radiator for the E46? Agents want R2200 odd.

 

[Sankekur]

Silverton?

Also if I am not mistaken nasser on the forum has contacts, so might also be worth a try.