e60 Coolant leak??
Discussion
Guys, I think my car has a leak 
On some drives, esp. ones that take more than 30 minutes, I get some white smoke coming from the engine. However, it is a lot more likely to happen in cold and rainy weather than in dry, warm weather, which is why I thought its just rainwater running down from the hood and falling onto the hot radiator. The amount of smoke is not a lot, and it is not a constant stream, usually short bursts. It comes from the engine grill. The smoke is only emitted when standing still. What worried me is that one day, on a dry day, I got the same white smoke. At the same time, I sometimes (rarely) notice that when I have the heating system on, I sometimes get a sweet, nectar like smell.
I read on the internet that this sweet smell may indicate a heater core leak. Coupled with the occasional white smoke and the fact that my radiator seems to have a rather big knock from a stone hit, does this indicate that I may have a leak either in the radiator or the heater core or both? But if I have a leak, why isn’t there a more constant emission of white smoke and in bigger amounts? My commute lasts 40 minutes…I have had smoke twice (in rainy weather) and once in dry weather after 70 minutes or so on the road…very confused and wondering what other steps I can do to narrow it down before asking BMW to look into it. Car is a petrol, if that makes a difference.
EDIT: Forgot to say, in the last few weeks I noticed on at least two occasions that the engine fan was running even after switching off the car.
On some drives, esp. ones that take more than 30 minutes, I get some white smoke coming from the engine. However, it is a lot more likely to happen in cold and rainy weather than in dry, warm weather, which is why I thought its just rainwater running down from the hood and falling onto the hot radiator. The amount of smoke is not a lot, and it is not a constant stream, usually short bursts. It comes from the engine grill. The smoke is only emitted when standing still. What worried me is that one day, on a dry day, I got the same white smoke. At the same time, I sometimes (rarely) notice that when I have the heating system on, I sometimes get a sweet, nectar like smell.
I read on the internet that this sweet smell may indicate a heater core leak. Coupled with the occasional white smoke and the fact that my radiator seems to have a rather big knock from a stone hit, does this indicate that I may have a leak either in the radiator or the heater core or both? But if I have a leak, why isn’t there a more constant emission of white smoke and in bigger amounts? My commute lasts 40 minutes…I have had smoke twice (in rainy weather) and once in dry weather after 70 minutes or so on the road…very confused and wondering what other steps I can do to narrow it down before asking BMW to look into it. Car is a petrol, if that makes a difference.
EDIT: Forgot to say, in the last few weeks I noticed on at least two occasions that the engine fan was running even after switching off the car.
As Phelix says, check the coolant level, don't let it run low!
From your description sounds like a holed and leaking radiator. You can smell it in the cabin as the air comes in from the front tainted with the coolant odour.
Try and trace the leak, look for staining or white powder on the radiator. If you spot it you could try some radiator stop leak (e.g. Radweld) but only use it as a temporary repair until you can get it fixed.
From your description sounds like a holed and leaking radiator. You can smell it in the cabin as the air comes in from the front tainted with the coolant odour.
Try and trace the leak, look for staining or white powder on the radiator. If you spot it you could try some radiator stop leak (e.g. Radweld) but only use it as a temporary repair until you can get it fixed.
Is it an older E60 with an M54 engine?
If so it sounds like they have the same completely crap cooling system as the E39 - the radiator splits at the end tanks, the heater tank splits as well. If its this you are best just replacing the entire cooling system including radiator, header tank, top and bottom hose, waterpump and thermostat.
If you dont then you will end up replacing it all anyway, just in stages.
If so it sounds like they have the same completely crap cooling system as the E39 - the radiator splits at the end tanks, the heater tank splits as well. If its this you are best just replacing the entire cooling system including radiator, header tank, top and bottom hose, waterpump and thermostat.
If you dont then you will end up replacing it all anyway, just in stages.
No, its the N52 engine (late '56 reg).
Checked coolant before setting off for Bath, at Bath, and after coming back - the indicator was in the bottom third...incidentally, on my drive to and from Bath, I had smoke only once, for about half a second, in the morning when it was pouring down.
I got the car from BMW in Nov' and unless they have a habit of delivering AUC's with the coolant level below Max, I have lost 2/3 of my coolant in 4.5 months. Perhaps a tiny crack/crap seal somewhere that only leaks when the coolant is under high pressure? Checked grill and visible parts of the engine and couldn't see any residue anywhere.
Will fill up tomorrow and observe daily. If it goes down again, I'm booking her in.
Checked coolant before setting off for Bath, at Bath, and after coming back - the indicator was in the bottom third...incidentally, on my drive to and from Bath, I had smoke only once, for about half a second, in the morning when it was pouring down.
I got the car from BMW in Nov' and unless they have a habit of delivering AUC's with the coolant level below Max, I have lost 2/3 of my coolant in 4.5 months. Perhaps a tiny crack/crap seal somewhere that only leaks when the coolant is under high pressure? Checked grill and visible parts of the engine and couldn't see any residue anywhere.
Will fill up tomorrow and observe daily. If it goes down again, I'm booking her in.
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