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E36General discussion and technical help for (E36) 1992-1999 3 series cars. 318, 323, 325, 328.
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Your Ride: 97 328i
Radiator leak when car is hot only
Alright so I just did a coolant flush and I was driving today and all of a sudden I smelled something burning up. I immediately pulled over and smelt under the hood, but the smell was not the same. I noticed that my coolant was dripping pretty heavily from underneath the car. I traced the leak to the bottom right corner of the car right by the drain plug. However around the drain plug was completely dry. When I popped the hood I noticed some seepage in the top of the radiator in the corner as well. So I was wondering if I am going to have to replace the whole radiator now or if maybe it is leaking because I overfilled it. It is only leaking when the car is hot and now that the car has cooled down it isn't leaking anymore. Any ideas?? Thanks
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Your Ride: 1994 BMW 525i, 1987 325is, 1986 325
That sounds like you're getting a leak starting at the radiator tanks, everything expands when it gets hot and the leak starts, gets cold and contracts then the leak seals back up. That would be new radiator time if thats the case
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Your Ride: 97 328i
Is it possible that I simply overfilled it and it is draining out?? I never had any leak problems until I did the flush. I plan on taking it in to get pressure tested to see if it needs to be replaced sometime this week.
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Your Ride: 1994 BMW 525i, 1987 325is, 1986 325
If you overfilled it, the leak would be coming out the vent tube from the expansion tank. It's a tiny rubber hose that comes out from under the radiator cap. Depending on where that discharges that MAY be your "leak". But if you trace it and there's nothing there but radiator, well there you go
The radiator becomes pressurised when hot so will be more prone to leaking along hair line cracks then. Could it be that there was some leak stop added previously and you drained it out when you did the flush? You could try adding this but it sounds like its not going to last much longer.
The BMW radiators are notorious for failing on the joint between the metal and plastic. I replaced mine with the Nissens one as they are supposedly better than OEM and cheaper too, so far so good. I also replaced all the hoses and thermostat at the same time as they were all getting dry and starting to crack.
Make sure you keep an eye on the temp gauge and as soon as it starts to climb stop and check it out. Do not continue to drive once the cooling system has failed as you risk warping the head.
04-11-2009, 02:02 AM
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