Coolant leak from unknown part

[Zephyyyr]

Recently my e30 has been running hot. It will climb up to the 3/4ths mark and stay there. Sometimes it will go a little bit past it as well. There’s been a coolant leak for sometime that I couldn’t track down but finally I think I found the culprit. I’m just not sure what it is and if it means the radiator itself needs to be replaced. Does anyone know what it is? Hopefully this isn’t a dumb question.. I attached some pictures below. Thank you

Also if this is helpful the e30 is a 1989 325i with 80000 miles.

[Zephyyyr]

[15Michaeljoseph]

Pics aren't loading for me, maybe a post count issue, but there aren't really any serviceable parts on the rad itself... So if it appears to be leaking it probably does need to be replaced. Can you try posting the pic again? Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

[Zephyyyr]

[Vincenze]

It's the place where the coolant drain plug #2 should be.

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[roguetoaster]

There appears to be coolant on the nipple at the top of the radiator, in addition to some on the drain, or what probably should be a drain. Most likely you have a crack or separation in a plastic part of the rad end tank, unless your hose is just done or loose.

[tomstin]

I doubt that is your running hot problem. It appears to be the drain plug as mentioned above. How much coolant are you using?

[MrBurgundy]

Those plugs are a pain in the ass to find.

just spend the hundred bucks and get a new radiator.. Looks like it's leaking from where the aluminum meets the plastic tanks.

As for the running hot, e30s will climb in temp if the coolant is low. It can be almost full, but the return line is at the top of the rad, so if the level is under that the coolant is going to have a hard time making it back to the expansion tank.

[Zephyyyr]

Thank you for the responses guys. I can’t seem to find a leak anywhere else.. if it was leaking from the drain plug, would that be part of why it’s running hot?

[Zephyyyr]

I doubt that is your running hot problem. It appears to be the drain plug as mentioned above. How much coolant are you using?

I’ve been topping it off whenever the coolant light comes on :/ probably every 2 weeks or some but I’m not sure. It runs hot regardless of how much coolant I put.

[Vincenze]

if it was leaking from the drain plug, would that be part of why it’s running hot?

That thing doesn't look like the drain plug.

The drain plug is plastic. If yours is broken, you can try to heat a screwdriver to unscrew it.

But the coolant also drips from the top.

[tomstin]

If its running hot and you are loosing coolant, I would suspect your head gasket is the problem. What does the oil look like? Pull the spark plugs, what do they look like? Do a compression test.

Another thought, does it run hot in traffic but fine on the highway? That is typically fan clutch related.

What does the coolant look like? Rusty? Have you drained the coolant?

I keep coming back to it running hot, and loosing coolant and not, what appears to me, as a slow drip from the radiator.

[15Michaeljoseph]

Before we jump to blaming a headgasket, the bottom of the rad appears to be wet and covered in blue residue... is that not a coolant leak from a busted up drain plug? I'd replace the radiator and the hoses attached to it first. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

[Zephyyyr]

Okay so I replaced the radiator and the issue is still happening. Basically the car temperature will keep rising until it hits 3/4ths and it will stay. Even while driving so I don’t think it’s the fan. I’m wondering if it could be a bad thermostat or maybe water pump? Water pump was replaced within 20,000 miles I believe so I’m not sure that’s it. Anything you guys can think of?

[roguetoaster]

It can absolutely be the fan, why have you ruled it out?