Help with Coolant Leak (I think)

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by randrews15

That looks like washer fluid to me. I've never seen blue colored coolant before, but I could be wrong.

OEM BMW Coolant/AntiFreeze is blue.

[mapster37]

pressure test the cooling system and look for source of leak, its that simple

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by mapster37

pressure test the cooling system and look for source of leak, its that simple

Not sure how to do this..

[wfdeacon88]

Here's one more piece of evidence that might tell me what it is. just went to the garage and checked... looks like the puddles dried up over night. Would coolant evaporate that quickly?

[delirium330]

Dude, enough guessing. Taste it and you will know.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by delirium330

Dude, enough guessing. Taste it and you will know.

I did.. I tasted it and it didn't have much flavor at all. Honestly couldn't taste it as sweet.. Zero odor that I can tell. I even went and turned the windshield fluid on and confirmed it was blue, but it had an alcohol taste slightly.. not sure if it matched the blue fluid on the floor, but could have... not sure.

Question... the leak is indeed coming from the fender behind the front right wheel. I can't see where it might be coming from under the hood. Is that indeed where only the windshield fluid would be leaking from? Can coolant go all the way back there?

[SAMM3Y]

Isn't the windshield wiper fluid reservoir in the front right passenger side fender? Is it really cold where you are? Maybe it froze and cracked..

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Isn't the windshield wiper fluid reservoir in the front right passenger side fender? Is it really cold where you are? Maybe it froze and cracked..

it's been extremely cold here in NC the last few weeks... and I got an oil change 2 weeks ago so it could have been from them topping it off and perhaps freezing after full. Wish there was a way to look at the reservoir for the wiper fluid without a lift.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

it's been extremely cold here in NC the last few weeks... and I got an oil change 2 weeks ago so it could have been from them topping it off and perhaps freezing after full. Wish there was a way to look at the reservoir for the wiper fluid without a lift.

Sounds like you are already accustomed to getting your lips dirty! Maybe wipe the neck down of the washer fluid reservoir fill it with water and put your face on it and blow.. should be enough positive pressure for it to come leaking out if it's cracked and leaking with gravity anyway.. just an idea

[330ciprem]

Oil change people overfilled the coolant. The tank probably leaked cos the system is under pressure.

If you can't find a leak source and can confirm it is indeed coolant then just drive the car for a bit. The pressure might spit out some more coolant before finally settling down to the optimum amount.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by 330ciprem

Oil change people overfilled the coolant. The tank probably leaked cos the system is under pressure.

If you can't find a leak source and can confirm it is indeed coolant then just drive the car for a bit. The pressure might spit out some more coolant before finally settling down to the optimum amount.

That might be the issue. appears to have slowed down and coolant level is ok.. so let's hope!

[330ciprem]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

That might be the issue. appears to have slowed down and coolant level is ok.. so let's hope!

Yeah, happened with my 330ci after a coolant flush.

I filled till the upper marked point on the scale - spat out some coolant before settling just around minimum part. The car maintains temp easily without any issues.

[wfdeacon88]

SOLVED. Thank you all for all if the input. very helpful and per usual, I received the correct input from people here. It was the Windshield fluid reservoir. Took it into the shop, and we filled it with water and sure enough it stated pouring out if the wheel well area. Needless to say, I am very happy it wasn't coolant... thanks again

[RedScytheM3]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

SOLVED. Thank you all for all if the input. very helpful and per usual, I received the correct input from people here. It was the Windshield fluid reservoir. Took it into the shop, and we filled it with water and sure enough it stated pouring out if the wheel well area. Needless to say, I am very happy it wasn't coolant... thanks again

Thank you for following through on this. I saw an aqua blue/green watery spot on the porous concrete under my front passenger side just know and freaked out. The concrete is not coated so the liquid did not bead up like yours did, it kind of absorbed into the concrete and wet it. It touched it and it felt watery, stuck my hand under the car and it felt the underside and that wet and stained my fingers the same color. I haven't driven the car for about 8 hours and it's not raining so I couldn't figure out why it was wet other than a leak. Power steering is right above that spot, fluid is similar in color, but is oily not watery. So I thought coolant. Then I saw this thread and it just hit me - my washer fluid is leaking too! I put a whole bottle of washer fluid in 2 days ago, sprayed my windshield twice yesterday and once today and got the washer fluid level low warning! I remember thinking earlier today "you have to be f***ing kidding I gave you a whole bottle a couple days ago!"