Coolant on ground - somethin weird goin on...

[Sean]

Ok, well, I didn't notice it, but my dad did.

I know it wasn't there until after I parked the car in the garage this afternoon at around 4:45. Tonight at 7, my dad points out a bunch of liquid below my car. We back it up and find it to be coolant and water. Well, we started the car, and for about 5 minutes, we could hear a very slight whine if the pedal was pressed and then released, the whine would occur when the rpm's would drop back down to idle range.

My dad is thinking the water pumps going out. Anything else that could be going on? I'm pretty sure I wasn't leaking anything all day, and I haven't hit anything - just sort of came out of no where.

If you need more info, I can try to get it, I'm at a loss here. I DO know that I will be trying to fix this myself, whatever it is, and if it is the waterpump, I'll probably do the timing belt at the same time.

Thanks for the help!

BTW: Think I should drive another car tomorrow, just to be safe? Coolant level is fine, so far.

[bmwguru007]

Before you dive in to do the water pump check the simple stuff like the radiator, hoses, and clamps. The water pump might have a weep hole that the coolant would leak out if the shaft bearing was going bad. Otherwise it would just leak out of the shaft. Either way it would be obvious. When I changed my timing belt and water pump this weekend, I didn't get the clamp tight enough on the hose that goes to the water pump and it caused quite a large leak after I turned the car off. Point is it could be lots of things, many of which are easy fixes, but I would try to figure out the cause of the leak before driving it around. You don't want to cause more problems by overheating it.

[DaN]

Yea sounds like coolant is pissing out the water pump weep hole, take it for a drive shut it off and look in the general area of the water pump, thats most likely the problem.

If thats it:
Get a waterpump, timing belt, tensioner, crank, and intermediate shaft seal.
Maybe some new accessory belts too if they are old.

[modifiede30]

I've had a lot of problems on older e30's where the coolant lines to the throttle body leaked. Took forever to figure out where it was coming form. Didn't make any noises though. I'd follow the other recommendations and check the lines before getting into the water pump. However - just out of curiousity, how many miles are you at and when was the last time the timing belt was done?

[Sean]

Well, today I pulled off the front valance, which really didn't gain me much more access.

So, anyways, I also lifted the car up and took a look under it. There's a lot of "fluid" under the car. I think my valve cover gasket may not be the only thing leaking oil. What other things could leak oil? I know my oil pan is fine, the fluids seem to be over everything else.

I don't have a manual yet, but I plan on buying one this weekend, SO, when I say I had no idea what stuff was down there, give me a break. I could recognize the obvious stuff, like oil pan, etc... But, WHERE is the waterpump? Was it on the left or right (when looking UP into the engine?)

I think I'll just take it to the Hurless Brothers monday, after school. I'd go in the morning, but, I got school.. ;) If it is the waterpump, it was changed only 4200 miles ago, so it would still be under warranty. But, if its something else, I have a feeling I could fix it myself, just not sure right now.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of coolant anymore. It looked like a one time thing. I didn't see any obvious leaks when the car was running, and the coolant isn't low by any means - so, the temperature stays exactly in the middle where it's suppose to be. All the coolant/water has built up right above the huge plastic piece below the belts/radiator and stuff (which I was thinking of removing, but I didn't have the time today). What could cause a one-time leak?

I may have repeated myself a few times, and there may be a few typos, but I think you all will get what I'm sayin. ;)

[DaN]

So you have oil leaks too?
The best way to find those would be to clean everything off first with brake clean, or a steam cleaner, then take a look with a nice bright light while it's running. Or if you have the means, use an ultraviolet light and some dye in the oil. You will see where it's seeping out.

As for the coolant leak, I would just keep an eye on the coolant level, everytime you stop and keep looking for leaks. Thats odd if the water pump was just replaced. I would definitely take it back to the shop that did the work, and have them at least look at it. If you are lucky it may be under warantee. Don't take any long trips and don't drive it hard. The leak should come back.

The waterpump is located on the front of the motor, the cooling fan is bolted to it. Most of it is hidden behind the timing cover.

[Sean]

Ok! That's what I was thinkin, but I wasn't sure. That's where the lines were goin from the radiator, but I just wasn't sure.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be driving another car this weekend, so, it'll just sit int eh garage and I'll take it out monday and bring it down there.

Thanks for the tips on the oil leak, I'll need to look into that.

[Sean]

Brought it in, he put the pressure tester on there, within seconds we found the leak in one of the hoses, the hose between the thermostat housing and waterpump to be exact.

I got really lucky, and the replacement and the labor was all done under warranty.

It would have been an easy fix nonetheless, so I'm pretty happy it wasn't anything worse. :D

That sure is a nice tool to have... ;) (the pressure tester that is)