The coolant system in a BMW controls the temperature in the engine by making a coolant mixture flow through the engine block, radiator, and cylinder head. This will absorb the heat and transmit it to the air for it to cool. At Ultimate Bimmer Service, we recommend having the coolant system on your BMW changed every 30,000 miles or 2 years if it’s an older model. Newer BMW models have a lifetime coolant. It’s still important to think about a coolant flush every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, or 3 to 5 years. This preventative maintenance will help your BMW’s longevity.
At Ultimate Bimmer Service, our technicians are formally trained in BMW repairs and service. Our experts will listen to any signs you may have noticed, offer to look for specific signs that are linked to coolant leaks, explain the common causes for a coolant leak, and offer the best solutions to repair the leak. Don’t ignore a coolant leak in your BMW and bring it into Ultimate Bimmer Service as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem, it can cause significant engine damage, such as head gasket failure, overheating, and complete engine failure. This damage will lead to harder repair, and it will be costly to repair.
What to Look Out For if You Suspect a Coolant Leak in Your BMW
Our experts believe that the following are the most common signs of a coolant leak in your BMW.
Engine Overheating
- Overheating Warning Light: Low coolant levels can make your engine overheat, so keep an eye out for a warning light on your dash or the engine temperature gauge.
- Steam from Under the Hood: When smoke or steam starts to come out from under the front of your hood, this is a strong indicator that you have a leak or your engine is overheating.
- Bubbling Radiator: There can be an issue with the coolant flow in your radiator if you hear a bubbling noise coming from around the radiator.
Visible Signs
- Puddles of Coolant: Puddles of coolant that are brightly colored can appear under your BMW, and this is a very common sign of a coolant leak.
- Visible Leaks: Check your water pump, engine bay, hoses, and radiator for any signs of a coolant leak.
- Low Coolant Levels: Try to check your coolant levels routinely. By checking the coolant reservoir that is located under the hood, you can see if the fluid level is low on a consistent basis. This indicates a leak is happening.
- Coolant on Engine Components: Check engine components to make sure that coolant isn’t dripping onto them.
Other Indicators
- Sweet Smell: The smell of coolant is a specific type of sweetness. You will notice the smell while parked or driving, and this is a big sign of a leak.
- White Smoke from Exhaust: White smoke coming from the exhaust is a sign that the combustion chamber is burning coolant that is leaking into it.
- Poor Gas Mileage: You may experience poor gas mileage due to the engine working a lot more because it is overheating since the coolant level is low from a leak.
Why is Coolant Leaking From my Radiator?
The professionals at Ultimate Bimmer Service will use factory-grade tools and equipment to diagnose what is causing the coolant leak. The list below is the most common causes our experts see while dealing with coolant leaks in a BMW.
- Cracked or Damaged Radiator: One of the most common reasons a coolant leak happens is due to a damaged or cracked radiator. If the radiator is older and has undergone high temperatures for years, it is more likely to be damaged.
- Damaged or Worn-Out Hoses: Coolant will leak when the hoses become loose, crack, or wear out over time.
- Faulty Water Pump: The water pump is what flows coolant through the engine. If it is failing, a coolant leak is possible.
- Cracked or Damaged Coolant Reservoir: A cracked or damaged coolant reservoir is a definite way for there to be a coolant leak because it is where the coolant is stored.
- Leaking Gaskets or Seals: Gaskets and seals can leak over time because they will deteriorate, and this will result in coolant loss.
- Plastic Thermostat Housing: In some BMW models, there is a plastic housing where the thermostat is located. This plastic housing can warp because of high engine heat.
Experts in Dallas Provide Factory-Level Repairs: Cheaper Than Going to a Dealership
Our skilled technicians will complete the varying repairs needed to fix your BMW’s coolant leak. The steps below are how the repair will be done.
Identifying the Source of the Leak
Visual Inspection
A visual inspection will be completed by our staff to check for leaks under the vehicle near the water pump, engine bay, or radiator.
Common Leak Points
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- Radiator: The radiator will be inspected for any kind of cracks that will allow coolant to leak out.
- Hoses: The coolant hoses will be checked for any damage, bulges, or cracks where they bend to ensure no leaks.
- Water Pump: The weep hole or gaskets of a failing water pump can leak out coolant, so an inspection of them is needed.
- Coolant Reservoir: The coolant reservoir is important because it holds the coolant for your BMW. If this component has any damage, like cracks or holes, then coolant will leak out of it.
- Head Gasket: When a head gasket is blown, it can cause coolant to leak into the engine and make the oil diluted.
- Other potential leak areas
- Radiator cap
- Our experts will make sure that the radiator cap is on properly and that it is the correct kind for the model of BMW you have.
- Thermostat housing
- The thermostat housing is an area where coolant can leak, so it must be inspected.
Addressing the Leak
Small Leaks
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- Small leaks usually come from the radiator or the hoses. Our experts will use a sealant to stop the leak.
Major Leaks
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- If the leak is too large, then this is a strong indicator that the leaking component needs to be replaced.
Repair/Replacement
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- Hoses: Any kind of worn or damaged hoses needs to be replaced.
- Water Pump: A failing water pump must be replaced, or the leak will only get worse.
- Radiator: If a radiator is damaged too much or cracked, it can’t be repaired, so it must be replaced.
- Head Gasket: Once the head gasket gets blown, it is complex to repair, and usually it’s better to just replace it.
- Refilling the Coolant: When the repairs or replacements are made by our professionals, they will refill the coolant with the proper type.
At Ultimate Bimmer Service, we are the ultimate BMW repair shop in Carrollton and Dallas. Our technicians are factory-trained BMW Level 1 Master Certified and have over 30 years of combined experience. With factory-grade diagnostic tools and equipment, our experts can figure out what is going on with your BMW. We are proud to serve drivers in the Carrollton and Dallas areas. We also serve drivers in the neighboring cities of:
Visit our shop today and schedule an appointment to have the coolant leak in your BMW serviced by our experts. Call us at 972-418-1800 or set up an appointment online at https://www.ultimatebimmerservice.com/contact-us/.
