What is this?

[DDub88]

The other day while cleaning up under the hood, I noticed this weird pasty substance. What is it?http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/15/myda2unu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/15/ebyhase4.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/15/ezehavar.jpg


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[coby1]

looks to me like someone used gasket seal when installing the thermostat

[DDub88]

From the factory?


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[echo46]

Looks like a slight coolant seep/leak. What kind of coolant do you have in the system? Make sure it is not the green death. Make sure it is the blue bmw coolant--half coolant half distilled water. The green junk will corrode your system including the heating core.

[DDub88]

I've had to keep topping it off every few days or so because the low coolant light stays on in the morning while using the heater or even the a/c on a low setting. I've always used the blue coolant from the dealership... Now what was used previous to me owning it? Who knows...


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[echo46]

It sounds to me like you have a coolant leak somewhere. If it is indeed a leak at this point, you could also have a failing water pump. Have you done a complete coolant flush/change of the coolant since you owned. At the very least you need to find where the leak is and fix immediately. How many miles?

[DDub88]

I did have a leak through the expansion tank cap, the gasket had shrunk in the cap allowing overflow, which I replaced . I do believe I have a leak on the lower radiator hose area. I'm at 56k on the miles


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[echo46]

You need to fix the leaks immediately. How many miles on the car. It may be time for a coolant system refresh to include new thermostat, new water pump, new radiator, hoses and sensors. If you let this go on with out addressing you could be stranded and possibly damage your engine if it overheats. I/we can talk you through a coolant system refresh, I know I've done four already on my BMWs.

[DDub88]

Haha Echo, I will definitely need the walk through. This is the first car that I've self maintained.


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[billschusteriv]

+1 on the coolant system refresh. 60k is a good time before the plastics start to go.

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[DDub88]

Well I just out on break here at work and popped the hood to see if I can see any other leak points and I found one http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/15/e8yqegyh.jpg


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[echo46]

Yes, it looks like things are starting to fail already. Bro, do this sooner than later. Check out ECS for their kit. I would do all the hoses, sensors, connectors, water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, expansion tank, radiator and coolant plug.

[DDub88]

Alright I will be ordering the kit shortly.


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[Vas]

Sometimes kits are not the best way to go fyi

[echo46]

I agree, really check to see which brands are in the kits. Personally, I would go with the Stewart Water Pump and BMW everything else. Just told him kit to make it a bit easier. By all means shop around to get he best deal and the best parts.

[danewilson77]

Are you pointing to the lower coolant hose temp sensor? If so... Yeah... The o-ring goes bad on that one.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[DDub88]

Yep that's what I was trying point at Dane


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[trancenation]

I recently did my coolant system overhaul with parts pieced together from Pelican. I saw a few kits out there and wasn't satisfied with some of the brands offered so I went with Pelican. As some have mentioned it does appear to be a coolant leak. It looks like coolant is seeping from the gasket area/ where the thermostat meets the metal block. You should probably get this taken care of before the car becomes inoperable.

A simple check of squeezing the hoses can help see if there are leaks from any of the hose connections.

[Avetiso]

http://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW_Cooling_System_Refresh_Kit_p/e46coolrefrkit.htm

[DDub88]

Thanks Avetiso, I'd definitely rather put oem parts back.


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