325e: Strange Coolant Leak (and Stuck Far from Home)

[browndog]

Hey Guys,

Hoping y'all can help. I'm about 5 hours from home, and my 325e has developed a coolant leak that's making me have to stop and refill ~1 gallon every hour or so in order to prevent overheating. The coolant is leaking from two main areas:

1. Passenger side frame rail, at the two (control arm mounting) bolts just in front of where the rail curves upward toward the engine bay.
2. The bottom center to right-center of the engine crossmember.

Any ideas what the culprit might be? From forum searching, I ran across the heater core as possible culprit but my drivers side floor is not damp and apparently that's the sure sign of a heater core leak? Any other ideas?

I'm a long way from home (at a buddy's in Augusta, GA), away from my floor jack and jack stands and tools, so I'd be eternally grateful for any advice! Thank you!

[101]

On the right side of the engine is the coolant drain plug for the block. It's hiding under the rear exhaust manifold. It's unlikely it would work itself loose.

I can't remember if there are freeze plugs on the right side of the block, but if there are one could be leaking and ready to let loose.

The heater core supply hose comes off the back of the head. It's hard to see but is worth a look. If it's leaking it could be showing up in that general area.

Anything else should be fairly obvious and associated with the overflow tank or hoses.

[glnr13]

you're calling out where it's dripping from but the leak(s) is/are not at those locations.
You need to get a light and hunt for the origins of the leaks.

check all the hoses, look at the radiator, thermo housing, etc...
also, best not to drive it in this condition.

[browndog]

Thanks, guys! I've checked all the usual places I can view from the top down--hoses, thermo housing, etc--I'm thinking it's one of the places 101 mentions. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a jack or jack stands, being out of town.

Is there anywhere y'all would recommend to bring it in Augusta or Atlanta?

[browndog]

Ended up being a cracked head. All that missing coolant? It was in the oil :(

[kicktopush]

If you can/you're still in GA, definitely take it to Markert Motorworks in Lawrenceville. They'll set you straight with practically anything you need.