323i A/T Using coolant.

[Fuad]

Guys please don't shoot me but I just got a call from my father and he asked me if I could help him.

He has a 2006 E90 323i Individual A/T. He has owned the car since brand new and it currently has 90 000kms on the clock I must say the car is in excellent condition. He says that since he bought the car he has had to top up water at least once a week and when he spoke to BMW about it they just ignored it, nonetheless he says it has been the norm to check water before driving the car each day but he says he would like to know if this is normal and if anyone could advise as to what could cause the car to use water because there are absolutely no evident water leaks.

Thanks for looking
Fuad:=):

 

[Straight six]

That's not normal at all

Has the car ever over-heated??

Do a pressure test and see if the cooling system is ok....

If your head is not 100% then water will be burnt in the chambers....

 

[Coisman]

That's not normal at all

Has the car ever over-heated??

Do a pressure test and see if the cooling system is ok....

If your head is not 100% then water will be burnt in the chambers....

Agree.

Any proper radiator place should be able to perform a pressure test, and then any possible leaks should become apparent.

Also, if he did report it to bmw while under motorplan, I would make a fuss and have them try and sort it free of charge if its indeed more serious like S1NGH suggested, and it being a possible Cylinder head gasket.

Good luck anyway.

PS: On my E46 325, I have had the sme problem the last few months, and it turned out the be the bottom the expansion tank/bottle, where it mounts on the bottom to the mounting plate. Its leaking ever so slightly, and this causes me to have to top up every week or two. I only spotted it when I removed the Radiator fan, and was able to get my flashlight and a small mirror in there to look under the bottle.

 

[Andrew]

Check the transmission oil cooler as a matter of urgency ...... They rupture and fill the tranny with water ruining a very expensive piece of equipment ..... Take one of the transmission oil cooler lines off and inspect the oil for white sludge .... The oil should be clean and transparent red color

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Also check that he is not overfilling the expansion tank ..... If its overfull it will pass the excess water via the cap

 

[Fuad]

Guys thanks for all the responses. My dad took the car to Silverton Radiators to have a pressure test done on the cooling system and they found a leak on the Temperature housing and switch. A very small leak and the problem has been solved by replacing both the switch and the housing.

Thanks onc again.raise:

 

[GR1FF1N]

Guys thanks for all the responses. My dad took the car to Silverton Radiators to have a pressure test done on the cooling system and they found a leak on the Temperature housing and switch. A very small leak and the problem has been solved by replacing both the switch and the housing.

Thanks onc again.raise:

Great! Glad you got it fixed!