R56 /57 coolant system question

[thekingisdead]

I’ve identified a leak in my coolant system. No drama there I can get it sorted.

However, the leak is from a coolant temperature sensor (pictured) but has nothing connected to it, nor any unidentified connector in the vicinity that should be connected to it. I know the actual sensor for this car is in the thermostat housing.

Is this redundant sensor OE spec? (Ie used by bmw to save money) or has someone at some point modified / repaired the coolant system and thrown a non standard part in there?

[E-bmw]

All bar two of the hose clips in that pic are non-standard so anything is possible.

Go on realoem.com & drill down to find your model that will tell you what it should/shouldn't have there.

[21TonyK]

Exactly the same on my 2010 R56. It was replaced along with the thermostat housing last year. The original part was a plain pipe without the sensor. From what I understand its just a newer spec part, guessing the later models dont have the sensor in the housing.

Like you, this weeks job is to find a coolant leak before winter really kicks in. Amazon pressure kit to play with.

[thekingisdead]

Ok I’ve found out what happened.

There was an issue with the original sensor in the housing, so the fix was to install a new sensor in place of the bleed screw and / or a sensor in the 90. Elbow pictured.
This was mainly a recall but some cars left the factory (around 2012 or 2013) with these mods.

The new housings still feature the sensor in the housing.
The additional sensor (pictured) is redundant.