[bimmerfan08]

Originally Posted by DanAvoN7

Having replaced my entire cooling system in the past I can say this is an excellent writeup!

Any chance you will be doing a writeup like this for Vanos/cam gear bolts? Having a detailed writeup like this for the Vanos/cam gear bolts would ease a lot of my anxiety from taking on that job hehe

When I get to them I will Ill be doing mine soon so watch out for a DIY. I like DIYs that list the process step-by-step so that errors or mishaps are kept to a minimum and any doubts that may be lingering beforehand are answered in the DIY.

[zcoombs4]

Hey Zach, quick question.

I just took about a fifty mile drive to see if I could get the car to spray coolant (as mentioned in the thread I started). I took B roads, driving, shall we say, spirited, and ended the trip on highways back into town. How long did it take you to notice your leak?

I'm still hoping that maybe the issue has been addressed prior to my ownership, and they didn't clean up the mess left behind. Both upper and lower radiator hoses look somewhat fresh, ie. not the original parts, and I can still clearly read the sticker on the radiator fan itself. Any thoughts on that? I'll say it again, fantastic write-up!

[bimmerfan08]

Originally Posted by zcoombs4

Hey Zach, quick question.

I just took about a fifty mile drive to see if I could get the car to spray coolant (as mentioned in the thread I started). I took B roads, driving, shall we say, spirited, and ended the trip on highways back into town. How long did it take you to notice your leak?

I'm still hoping that maybe the issue has been addressed prior to my ownership, and they didn't clean up the mess left behind. Both upper and lower radiator hoses look somewhat fresh, ie. not the original parts, and I can still clearly read the sticker on the radiator fan itself. Any thoughts on that? I'll say it again, fantastic write-up!

I noticed first, the smell of coolant, it was very strong and I knew there was a leak somewhere. With my problem, when I popped the hood, I saw that coolant had sprayed around the belt area. I instantly knew it was the water pump, but just to be sure I called a buddy of mine and asked him a few questions. I felt underneath the upper and lower radiator hoses, and there were no leaks there. The other probable cause for leaking coolant onto the belts was the water pump. Also my water pump bearings were making a grinding noise and the fan had a little more play in it than what I was used to. Upon removal and as noted in my DIY, the inside of the water pump pulley was caked in crusty, baked coolant. A sure tell sign that the water pump was at fault. Also, on the black circular piece that the pulley connects to on the water pump was coolant spray traveling in streaks up and outward from the water pump shaft. I knew this was probably the location of my coolant leak. Hope this helps

I noticed my leak probably 2-3 days after it became noticeable, meaning the visual evidence was there inside the engine bay in front of my eyes. Who knows, the water pump could have had a small leak before that and it was so minute that it wasnt spraying in the engine bay. I would say my leak probably occured within 1-2 weeks of having noticed it of when the pump actually became faulty.

Edit: Come to think of it, I had the low coolant light come on once in November and I topped off what little bit of coolant was missing with BMW coolant. So in between Nov and Jan, there wasnt anything visually noticeable, but Im sure the water pump was starting to go then. Every now and then I would start the car and get belt squeal like bearings were bad in a pulley but I had replaced my pullies in May so I never thought anything of it...Just that it was a combination of the cold air and condensation on the belts.

[zcoombs4]

It does! You mentioned your pump had a stamp date on it, is this visible without pulling the pump out?

[bimmerfan08]

Originally Posted by zcoombs4

It does! You mentioned your pump had a stamp date on it, is this visible without pulling the pump out?

No, youll have to pull the pump to see it. The stamp is on the face of the water pump that mates up with the block face. The part that the steel gasket attaches to.

My old pump was stamped 12/01 and my new one was stamped 02/11. We'll see how long the new pump lasts. It would be nice to have it last the same time frame as the old pump. 10 years is something I can manage haha.

[zcoombs4]

Well crap. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it for the next week or so. Still seeing no spike in temperature, even gradual. So hopefully my hypothesis is correct.

I'll quit cluttering this thread now lol. Thanks again, Zach!

[akashyap]

Bro thanks a lot for this one.

[bimmerfan08]

Originally Posted by zcoombs4

Well crap. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it for the next week or so. Still seeing no spike in temperature, even gradual. So hopefully my hypothesis is correct.

I'll quit cluttering this thread now lol. Thanks again, Zach!

I never noticed a spike or change in my engine temperature to be honest. In fact the coolant never got low enough to have the low coolant light come on. I checked it for the next few days after noticing the leak and maybe added a cup of distilled water. I would fix it right away if theres a leak. Adding distilled water in winter can be a bad fix as water has a higher freezing temperature than coolant. Check your coolant level if you get a chance. That will also be a tell tale sign.

Originally Posted by akashyap

Bro thanks a lot for this one.

No problem, glad I could help.

[DanAvoN7]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan08

When I get to them I will Ill be doing mine soon so watch out for a DIY. I like DIYs that list the process step-by-step so that errors or mishaps are kept to a minimum and any doubts that may be lingering beforehand are answered in the DIY.

Awesome! I hate to be a pest.. but how soon are we talking here?

[bimmerfan08]

Originally Posted by DanAvoN7

Awesome! I hate to be a pest.. but how soon are we talking here?

Probably in the summer or fall of this year. I meant to do them last time I did a valve adjustment.