Coolant Leak. Ok to drive?

Damage Inc · 08-02-2022, 07:00 PM

Saw a little dribble in the garage, then a bit more of a "pool" under the center of the car. Under the car, I can see where is dripped from but its a covered area.

Here's a few pics. The first is behind the car, I stopped before I pulled in. The second is a close up under the car.

I did sit idle for about 10 minutes in the garage, about 95 degrees here. So maybe it was due to the A/C running idle for a while?

Any ideas or tips? I'm assuming I need to get to my local shop asap? Or just monitor if it happens again?

TIA

LakeSurfer · 08-02-2022, 08:45 PM

I'm gonna sound like a dick but it's the internet so does it matter? Pictures of coolant on the floor does not give anyone any idea on what or how to diagnose anything. I'm in Florida and it's 95 everyday if not higher and I know my garage is at the very least 5 degrees warmer and there is no air movement. You're looking at 100 or more so why you would let it run in the garage for that amount of time is beyond me. Are you warming it up? It's hot out, it's warm, start it let it run for a few and start moving keeping the rpm's lower until it's up to temp. If you're already talking about taking it to the dealer than perhaps any issues provided they are mechanical, I'd guess that you're probably not up for the task anyhow.

CamasM3e93 · 08-02-2022, 09:18 PM

It looks like coolant, not AC condensate, so I'd assume something is wrong until proven otherwise. Could also be colored washer fluid leaking from the tank. Open up your coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine bay, large black plastic lid, once the engine is cool to see if your coolant is down significantly. There's a floating red plastic stem that should poke out above the reservoir opening if it's close to normal. If it's normal you can probably get away with a drive to the shop. If it's pegged low (not sticking out of the tank) wouldn't drive it. The car will give you a low coolant warning, assuming the sensor is working correctly.

kolosy · 08-02-2022, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

It looks like coolant, not AC condensate, so I'd assume something is wrong until proven otherwise. Could also be colored washer fluid leaking from the tank. Open up your coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine bay, large black plastic lid, once the engine is cool to see if your coolant is down significantly. There's a floating red plastic stem that should poke out above the reservoir opening if it's close to normal. If it's normal you can probably get away with a drive to the shop. If it's pegged low (not sticking out of the tank) wouldn't drive it. The car will give you a low coolant warning, assuming the sensor is working correctly.

agree -- it doesn't look like ac condensate, that's just water.

does it smell like coolant? pretty distinctive sweet smell. if it does, i'd get it checked out sooner rather than later, that's a decent amount.

could be something on the expansion side if it started leaking after the car warmed up...

Helmsman · 08-03-2022, 12:46 AM

Coolant no doubt in my mind. OP, plenty nice threads on the typical leaks, give it a search.

Edit: Had major leak after replacing the Tstat. No issue driving it as long as you top off the coolant, car tell you when needed, easy.

NiBe · 08-03-2022, 02:33 AM

Definitely coolant as it is green. I would not drive the car. Max I would drive it to the shop after topping off coolant.

amrazM · 08-03-2022, 05:54 AM

Coolant leaks and 95* ambient temps dont go together, dont drive the car.

tbuck · 08-03-2022, 06:23 AM

No coolant leak is a good thing, period. Often a small dribble will turn quickly into a gusher and then you are in big trouble if you are out driving some distance from home. Obviously you need to take it to a shop ASAP. Coolant leaks are generally easy to find since the BMW coolant leaves a white chalky residue when it dries, often leaving a clear trail back to the leak point. If you are not able to fix it yourself, which sounds to be the case, I would not tempt fate and take it to your shop before it gets worse.

e90Dawg08 · 08-03-2022, 06:24 AM

Definitely a coolant leak... top it off before taking it to a shop and ask for a pressure test. I had 2 hoses replaced recently after a thermostat replacement.

08-02-2022, 07:00 PM	#1
Damage Inc Lieutenant Colonel 789 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	Coolant Leak. Ok to drive? Saw a little dribble in the garage, then a bit more of a "pool" under the center of the car. Under the car, I can see where is dripped from but its a covered area. Here's a few pics. The first is behind the car, I stopped before I pulled in. The second is a close up under the car. I did sit idle for about 10 minutes in the garage, about 95 degrees here. So maybe it was due to the A/C running idle for a while? Any ideas or tips? I'm assuming I need to get to my local shop asap? Or just monitor if it happens again? TIA Attached Images __________________ Current: 17 OG M2 / R8 Performance Past Performance Cars: 01 M3, 05 M3, 06 M5, 08 M6, 08 M3, 11 M3, 13 M3, 15 M3, 911 C4S, 911 GTS, 17 M2,R8 V8, R8 RWS
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08-02-2022, 08:45 PM	#2
LakeSurfer Captain 819 Rep 684 Posts Drives: bicycle Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I'm gonna sound like a dick but it's the internet so does it matter? Pictures of coolant on the floor does not give anyone any idea on what or how to diagnose anything. I'm in Florida and it's 95 everyday if not higher and I know my garage is at the very least 5 degrees warmer and there is no air movement. You're looking at 100 or more so why you would let it run in the garage for that amount of time is beyond me. Are you warming it up? It's hot out, it's warm, start it let it run for a few and start moving keeping the rpm's lower until it's up to temp. If you're already talking about taking it to the dealer than perhaps any issues provided they are mechanical, I'd guess that you're probably not up for the task anyhow.
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08-02-2022, 09:18 PM	#3
CamasM3e93 Friends don't let friends ESS 3140 Rep 862 Posts Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Camas, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [9.00] 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo [9.75] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00] 2013 Mercedes E550 ... [0.00]	It looks like coolant, not AC condensate, so I'd assume something is wrong until proven otherwise. Could also be colored washer fluid leaking from the tank. Open up your coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine bay, large black plastic lid, once the engine is cool to see if your coolant is down significantly. There's a floating red plastic stem that should poke out above the reservoir opening if it's close to normal. If it's normal you can probably get away with a drive to the shop. If it's pegged low (not sticking out of the tank) wouldn't drive it. The car will give you a low coolant warning, assuming the sensor is working correctly.
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08-03-2022, 12:46 AM	#5
Helmsman Major General 4441 Rep 7,101 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Coolant no doubt in my mind. OP, plenty nice threads on the typical leaks, give it a search. Edit: Had major leak after replacing the Tstat. No issue driving it as long as you top off the coolant, car tell you when needed, easy. Last edited by Helmsman; 08-03-2022 at 04:15 AM..
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08-03-2022, 02:33 AM	#6
NiBe First Lieutenant 452 Rep 365 Posts Drives: BMW E91 & E92 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Definitely coolant as it is green. I would not drive the car. Max I would drive it to the shop after topping off coolant.
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08-03-2022, 05:54 AM	#7
amrazM mTekMods 2132 Rep 2,893 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	Coolant leaks and 95* ambient temps dont go together, dont drive the car. __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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08-03-2022, 06:23 AM	#8
tbuck Captain 1186 Rep 946 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2016 F23 M235i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Huntsville iTrader: (0)	No coolant leak is a good thing, period. Often a small dribble will turn quickly into a gusher and then you are in big trouble if you are out driving some distance from home. Obviously you need to take it to a shop ASAP. Coolant leaks are generally easy to find since the BMW coolant leaves a white chalky residue when it dries, often leaving a clear trail back to the leak point. If you are not able to fix it yourself, which sounds to be the case, I would not tempt fate and take it to your shop before it gets worse. __________________
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08-03-2022, 06:24 AM	#9
e90Dawg08 Enlisted Member 42 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Definitely a coolant leak... top it off before taking it to a shop and ask for a pressure test. I had 2 hoses replaced recently after a thermostat replacement.
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