Coolant Leak from under alternator

[semaj4712]

So I have an all of a sudden pretty large coolant leak somwhere under the alternator, I cannot figure out where it is coming from.

I removed intake manifolds upper and lower to try and get a better view but all the hoses I can see and that I know of seem just fine...I am thinking it may be a waterpump issue, but not sure.

This diagram shows the alternator and the mount right below it that the coolant is running down, at times in large amounts.


The "mess under the intake" was cleaned up on this car, so I do not know if that has any repercussions that may cause this, or what the problem is, but the chilton and bentley manuals are no help.

I am waiting for the engine to cool so I can remove the alternator and get a better look under there.

[semaj4712]

It appears to be leaking actually directly above the alternator, right where it goes into the block I think...looks like this piece

EDIT: Correction it is that piece, I wonder if it is just the seal tho

Is this the issue? http://blog.bavauto.com/5846/bmw-m42...18ic-318ti-z3/

[semaj4712]

Okay, he has the same problem and since my engine was also rebuilt in 08 im gonna guess this is clearly the issue...now on for the question of the day, how the hell do I replace this?

[semaj4712]

Lol no good

[TobyB]

I hate that fucking plastic pipe. It doesn't last, and the replacement's not made quite right.

And it's a real bitch to replace- you get to strip most of the driver's side junk off the motor
to really do it right.

Stupid place for BMW to save $2, really.

t

[oldmann]

Get that part from a dealer, The pieces from anyone else don't fit quite right.

Cheap plastic piece lasted 20 plus years on most of our cars, nice piece IMO.

[semaj4712]

Just ordered it, pelican has the genuine bmw part, the dealer said they would have to order it and could take 4 days, not the best of news when this is my daily and my other car is in timeout mode

[bmwman91]

It is a little hard to install, but not too bad. Get some silicone dielectric grease and apply it to the new rubber O-ring and the hole in the block that it goes into. You still need to push like hell on it, but it should pop right in. This has helped me out a lot with the water pump and a few other rubber O-rings over the years. Just don't use any petroleum-based greases since they may not play nice with rubber.

[oldmann]

^what he said, works.

[semaj4712]

Cool, yea I got the old one out tonight, seemed ok, and it was def a bitch getting it out, hopefully it won't be too hard putting the new one back on.

Man did coolant pour out when it came off, prolly should have flushed the system first.

[bmwman91]

lol

Yeah, you'll get the contents of the cylinder head cooling passages and some of the radiator dumping on you if you don't drain it first!

[semaj4712]

Got the new part in today, looks a little different which is a sigh of relief as the old one didnt look all that bad, hoping to get it in tonight and praying to the car gods that it is fixed, and that i didnt break anything removing the old one

[bmwman91]

You should be fine. If the plastic pipe broke the iron block, which is the only thing it really touches, then it's a sign from the car gods to get another car lol.

[semaj4712]

Wow, so i fixed it, and i cant explain how elated i am that i figured this out, this for sure was way past my knowledge of cars and engines...but it went in there pretty easy...minus the fact that the bar sensor is right in the way and i didnt realize till it was half in that the old one was modified to fit around it. So after some crazy lucky grinds i ot it in a fit, all to find out i had no idea how to bleed a coolant system...learned the hard way and now... Now, it runs 100 times better than before, must have been a long time coming, thanks for all the help

[bmwman91]

Bar sensor? What did you have to grind?