Coolant Leak!

elliott123 · 03-17-2016, 05:28 PM

Hi Guys,

I've had my M4 delivered at the end of December. So far I have covered 880 Miles very carefully, first 500 Miles below 3,500RPM and the other miles have all been under 5,000 RPM. Very meticulously being careful with the run in.

Last Friday I started my car and heard the BMW chime. The car said that the coolant was low and that I needed to top it up. I opened the two reservoirs. The smaller one at the top of the engine was at max as you would expect at only less than 800 miles at the time. I opened up the larger reservoir in the middle of the engine to find out that the coolant level was below minimum.

This was very strange. I thought maybe the factory didn't top it up enough. As when I had my M135i from new the coolant level was at min also. Luckily I had some BMW coolant (Blue colour) to top it up in a 50/50 mixture with distilled water.

I topped it back up to max and thought that it would be okay. Today I noticed 2 wet marks where I park my car. I thought it would be moisture where the tyres sit. I took another look under the car and I saw that underneath where the oil pan metal plate it was dripping. I got a tissue and wiped the spot and It was a blue colour indicating that it is indeed a coolant leak.

I cannot believe that a brand new car has this at only 880 miles and so carefully run in. I only use 99 momentum petrol only to ensure the engine is going to run well for a long life.

I will contact my workshop to get it in and I'll keep you guys updated.

Very upsetting that my car will have to be diagnosed for a problem when it is so new. I hope its just the pipe that has come loose and only needs to be replugged in. But you never know with these cars. I will also need to do a engine bay clean as the coolant will start to smoke when the engine gets hot. Another job Luckily the weather has been quite good here in London.

Let me know if any of you have had a similar problem and how BMW when about fixing it.

All the best guys and I hope none of you are having issues with your pride and joy.

Sedan_Clan · 03-17-2016, 06:16 PM

Minor and major issues happen. As long as the dealership rectifies the problem, I wouldn't really sweat it.

DocWeatherington · 03-17-2016, 06:28 PM

Might be something simple as bad clamps.. I know in the past there has been issues with them a simple ..cheap part.

Please keep us updated.

elliott123 · 03-18-2016, 09:55 AM

UPDATE: Car is in the dealership who are very kind. It is the thermostat that is leaking the coolant. They are getting a new part for it and it should be ready hopefully for tomorrow or Monday.

alz0rz · 03-18-2016, 12:21 PM

Faulty thermostat? Or assembly issue?

JoeFromPA · 03-21-2016, 01:15 PM

Not a big deal. You lost a little coolant through I'm guessing a bad thermostat seal/o-ring. You didn't overheat or run any risk and sounds like the thermostat itself was functioning properly.

elliott123 · 03-21-2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Faulty thermostat? Or assembly issue?

It was a assembly failure. It has been replaced and now is fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Not a big deal. You lost a little coolant through I'm guessing a bad thermostat seal/o-ring. You didn't overheat or run any risk and sounds like the thermostat itself was functioning properly.

Its not a big deal I know. The car never when above normal operating temp. I haven't been driving it hard enough for it to overheat.

Thanks guys for your support all sorted now and I have to give my car in to do the run in service soon

Xtabi · 03-21-2016, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the update. Glad to see you are all fixed up!

georgere · 05-01-2016, 08:20 PM

I m in the same situation - the coolant is below minimal mark; however, i cannot spot any leaks. the car has been sitting in my garage for 2 days and i see no drops, none. Also the car does not overheat nor it tells me the car is low on coolant.

weird....

i will top it off and see what happens....

Sergm3 · 05-03-2016, 07:25 PM

[QUOTE=elliott123;19589085]Hi Guys,

I've had my M4 delivered at the end of December. So far I have covered 880 Miles very carefully, first 500 Miles below 3,500RPM and the other miles have all been under 5,000 RPM. Very meticulously being careful with the run in.

Glad your problems are resolved with nothing major. After 4 months you still in break in? These cars don't like to sit they need to be driven and abused to the max.

03-17-2016, 05:28 PM	#1
elliott123 New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Coolant Leak! Hi Guys, I've had my M4 delivered at the end of December. So far I have covered 880 Miles very carefully, first 500 Miles below 3,500RPM and the other miles have all been under 5,000 RPM. Very meticulously being careful with the run in. Last Friday I started my car and heard the BMW chime. The car said that the coolant was low and that I needed to top it up. I opened the two reservoirs. The smaller one at the top of the engine was at max as you would expect at only less than 800 miles at the time. I opened up the larger reservoir in the middle of the engine to find out that the coolant level was below minimum. This was very strange. I thought maybe the factory didn't top it up enough. As when I had my M135i from new the coolant level was at min also. Luckily I had some BMW coolant (Blue colour) to top it up in a 50/50 mixture with distilled water. I topped it back up to max and thought that it would be okay. Today I noticed 2 wet marks where I park my car. I thought it would be moisture where the tyres sit. I took another look under the car and I saw that underneath where the oil pan metal plate it was dripping. I got a tissue and wiped the spot and It was a blue colour indicating that it is indeed a coolant leak. I cannot believe that a brand new car has this at only 880 miles and so carefully run in. I only use 99 momentum petrol only to ensure the engine is going to run well for a long life. I will contact my workshop to get it in and I'll keep you guys updated. Very upsetting that my car will have to be diagnosed for a problem when it is so new. I hope its just the pipe that has come loose and only needs to be replugged in. But you never know with these cars. I will also need to do a engine bay clean as the coolant will start to smoke when the engine gets hot. Another job Luckily the weather has been quite good here in London. Let me know if any of you have had a similar problem and how BMW when about fixing it. All the best guys and I hope none of you are having issues with your pride and joy.
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03-17-2016, 06:16 PM	#2
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25207 Rep 22,306 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	Minor and major issues happen. As long as the dealership rectifies the problem, I wouldn't really sweat it.
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03-17-2016, 06:28 PM	#3
DocWeatherington Brigadier General 2944 Rep 4,090 Posts Drives: F90 CP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0) Garage List 23 Bmw M3 [10.00]	Might be something simple as bad clamps.. I know in the past there has been issues with them a simple ..cheap part. Please keep us updated.
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03-18-2016, 09:55 AM	#4
elliott123 New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	UPDATE: Car is in the dealership who are very kind. It is the thermostat that is leaking the coolant. They are getting a new part for it and it should be ready hopefully for tomorrow or Monday.
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03-18-2016, 12:21 PM	#5
alz0rz What goes here? 454 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: 2019 G30 M550i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Space Coast iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [0.00] 2021 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	Faulty thermostat? Or assembly issue? __________________ 2019 G30 M550i GBNF: 2021 G80 M3, 2019 F90 M5 Competition, 2016 F80 M3, 2014 F22 M235i
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03-21-2016, 01:15 PM	#6
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Not a big deal. You lost a little coolant through I'm guessing a bad thermostat seal/o-ring. You didn't overheat or run any risk and sounds like the thermostat itself was functioning properly. __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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03-21-2016, 04:49 PM	#8
Xtabi Colonel 1711 Rep 2,133 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the update. Glad to see you are all fixed up! __________________ 2016 F80 \| MG/SO \| DCT \| Adaptive M Suspension \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| CF Roof \| CF Trim
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05-01-2016, 08:20 PM	#9
georgere Lieutenant Colonel 586 Rep 1,935 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 BSM Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stamford CT iTrader: (1)	I m in the same situation - the coolant is below minimal mark; however, i cannot spot any leaks. the car has been sitting in my garage for 2 days and i see no drops, none. Also the car does not overheat nor it tells me the car is low on coolant. weird.... i will top it off and see what happens.... __________________ My 1st love was 2006 BMW 325i Sport + Prem 6MT but I married the 2016 M3 BSM MDCT.
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05-03-2016, 07:25 PM	#10
Sergm3 Lieutenant 194 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2014 f10 m5 comp Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Woodland hills ca iTrader: (2)	[QUOTE=elliott123;19589085]Hi Guys, I've had my M4 delivered at the end of December. So far I have covered 880 Miles very carefully, first 500 Miles below 3,500RPM and the other miles have all been under 5,000 RPM. Very meticulously being careful with the run in. Glad your problems are resolved with nothing major. After 4 months you still in break in? These cars don't like to sit they need to be driven and abused to the max.
	Appreciate 0 Quote