Coolant leak?

[Mr. BMW]

My car has been in storage since mid November. I drove it once over the winter and then 2 weeks ago I got it out, charged the battery and drove it a couple hours. I then got the oil changed and brake fluid flushed the next day and then brought it back to the storage spot.

I took it out for a drive today and notice a spot under the car about a foot wide where it had been parked the last 2 weeks. The spot is under the middle of the motor. At first I though it was water cause it looked clear but when I touched it, it felt oily and had a green color to it.

I called the dealer and he mention that the fluids were topped off and maybe some coolant spilled out or was overfilled.

How is that possible that it could spill out like that if it was overfilled?

Anybody have any ideas what it could be?

I parked it in a different spot and will see in a few days if the same thing happens.

[Ngilbe36]

No solution, but similar problem. No issues with coolant all last year, but this year after my first drive (3 weeks ago) I noticed a small puddle of coolant underneath after about 2 weeks of not driving it. Saturday, I was backing it out of the garage and there was nothing underneath. However, after it was out I noticed a line of coolant perpendicular to the direction I reversed in extending from just under where the driver seat to about a foot past the wide-line of the car. I was backing up with no throttle, just the clutch out. I have not had a chance to get under the hood or underneath to try and find the leak, but it seems very random.
See image

[delirium330]

1 - Did you check the coolant level? What is it at? Did you check your bleeder screw on the reservoir tank? Is it tight? Any signs of leaks around the reservoir or the coolant hoses?
2 - There really shouldn't be a reason to do much "topping off" of coolant. It is a closed system. It can be needed, but infrequently and in small amounts.
3 - There is no way some spillage at a dealer appointment stayed around for all that driving and then dripped into a huge puddle on the floor.
4 - Are you sure it is coolant? What does it smell like? What does it taste like? Please don't lick it up, but it is okay to dab a small amount on your tongue and spit/rinse it out. BMW brand coolant is the color blue by the way.
5 - It is common for the windshield washer reservoirs to crack and leak. They are hidden in the passenger side front quarter panel and will leak around the front passenger side tire. Any chance you're filling that up with green washer fluid? Smell/taste per #4 will help rule that out.
6 - CH11S power steering fluid IS green in color and is the BMW recommended fluid. Check your PS reservoir and check your PS reservoir dipstick.

[EJT86]

If I’m not mistaken the M3 coolant is Blue

[WalkerM3]

Try the over flow coolant hose- tube. I had it happen to my M3. The o-ring on the thermostat side worn out. Easy no mess just unhook both sides and it's fixed. Replace with coolant overflow hose- tube assembly, it's hard plastic.

[WalkerM3]

The middle is the hose you'll need.

[Mr. BMW]

Yeah I'm not convinced that its coolant. It doesn't smell like coolant. It didn't really have a smell to it and it feels more like oil so maybe its power steering fluid. It was green on the rag I used to clean up the spill.

I noticed the spill after I got back from my drive so I didn't check any of the levels since the car was hot and I didn't want to go opening anything.

[SEMOM3]

Possible green fluids:
- Refrigerant oil - does your A/C work well? I had an evap failure once that leaked refrigerant oil through the condensate drain.
- Brake fluid (not green exactly but can take on the tint sometimes) - should be pretty easy to track that one down
- Power Steering fluid - also should be fairly simple to track that one down.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by EJT86

If I’m not mistaken the M3 coolant is Blue

At least over here. I'd double check the PS lines.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

Possible green fluids:
- Refrigerant oil - does your A/C work well? I had an evap failure once that leaked refrigerant oil through the condensate drain.
- Brake fluid (not green exactly but can take on the tint sometimes) - should be pretty easy to track that one down
- Power Steering fluid - also should be fairly simple to track that one down.

I have not used the A/C since November. I will be getting the car out of storage for good this weekend so I will do some more investigation.

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

Possible green fluids:
- Refrigerant oil - does your A/C work well? I had an evap failure once that leaked refrigerant oil through the condensate drain.
- Brake fluid (not green exactly but can take on the tint sometimes) - should be pretty easy to track that one down
- Power Steering fluid - also should be fairly simple to track that one down.

You forgot alien blood

[FMLYSDN]

I'm glad I found this post. I had the same thing happen as the OP. My car has been stored in a heated garage over the winter. I notice a small puddle underneath the car. At first I thought it was coolant, but the leak had collected at the opening of the skid plate. Looks as though it's coming down the side and collecting at the oil pan which is the lowest point. I will have to double check the colour because at first I thought it was coolant too.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

I'm glad I found this post. I had the same thing happen as the OP. My car has been stored in a heated garage over the winter. I notice a small puddle underneath the car. At first I thought it was coolant, but the leak had collected at the opening of the skid plate. Looks as though it's coming down the side and collecting at the oil pan which is the lowest point. I will have to double check the colour because at first I thought it was coolant too.

What's the consistency of the fluid? Is it like water or does it feel oily?

[SDPLV]

I'd lean towards power steering fluid.

Seems to always bubble over that ridiculous excuse for reservoir/cap we have.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

I'd lean towards power steering fluid.

Seems to always bubble over that ridiculous excuse for reservoir/cap we have.

Same thing for our oil cap !

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

I'd lean towards power steering fluid.

Seems to always bubble over that ridiculous excuse for reservoir/cap we have.

While I agree that it looks like PS fluid from the picture, there is no way it would "bubble over" in amounts like that. The PS cap weep hole does create a mini-mess around the reservoir itself, but it doesn't weep enough to create drops/streams of PS fluid down through the engine bay and onto a puddle on the floor.

I suspect a PS fluid leak from somewhere, but not the reservoir cap weep hole.

[EnVe46]

My PS pump was just replaced due to a leak. Ironically nothing was puddling but my shop said it was quite obvious when they did my oil change and inspection.

[FMLYSDN]

Upon further inspection I can confirm mine is coolant. Seems as though it's collecting near the rear of my engine. Can't seem to pinpoint it at the moment.

[EJT86]

Is there any chance you recently won a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award?

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by delirium330

While I agree that it looks like PS fluid from the picture, there is no way it would "bubble over" in amounts like that. The PS cap weep hole does create a mini-mess around the reservoir itself, but it doesn't weep enough to create drops/streams of PS fluid down through the engine bay and onto a puddle on the floor.

I suspect a PS fluid leak from somewhere, but not the reservoir cap weep hole.

Good points.

[SDPLV]

Didn't think coolant was that color.

Windshield wiper fluid sometimes is from AutoZone.

[Mr. BMW]

Got the car out yesterday and I didn't see anymore fluid on the ground where it was parked for 5 days.

I check the level of the power steering fluid and its at the first line from the bottom of the dipstick, as you can see in the picture. Not sure if that is correct cold level.

I also check the coolant level and I see coolant in there but I can't figure out what the level is supposed to be at.

I'm thinking more that it was steering fluid that leaked out cause there was some spilled on the reservoir and when I cleaned it up with a rag, it had a green color to it. Same green color as the fluid that I cleanup up when it leaked.
I'm wondering if the dealer over filled it when I got the oil changed a few weeks ago and then it spilled over when the car warmed up??