1999 BMW 318 Coolant after Repair

GCWILLERS

MEMBER
1999 BMW 318
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
154,000 MILES

Took car in bec Check coolant level warning light is on. Mechanic replaced water pump, hoses. I drive car on surface streets for about 10 miles, as I enter the fwy and accelarated, I get coolant sprayed all over my windshield and steam under hood, pulled over and called the mechanic. He asked me to check for coolant under hood, yes. Car gets towed back and he claims needs radiator since it cracked where the new hose connects. Pick up car, after running errands, parked in garage, coolant all spilled. To make story short 3 mechanics later, car still spills coolant. All claimed they've done pressure tests, etc and can't find anything. 3 weeks out of a car problem is worst than it started. What steps can I do next?

2 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Cooling system issues are some of the easiest to diagnose, put the system under pressure and wait for it to leak, see where it leaks from and repair it. Did the radiator get replaced?

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Thursday, March 12th, 2009 AT 12:36 PM

GCWILLERS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, radiator has been replaced. Overfill bottle replaced 2x. Car still in shop, pressure tested by original mech, radiator specialist, now BMW mechanic. Mechanics tell me that coolant level must be below the COLD line and I'm not supposed to open cap. I argued that manual says otherwise. 2 days ago, I pick up car after they called me its ready. I checked coolant, about 2 inches below COLD line, I opened cap to look. I asked mechanic to make sure cap is tight. Drove 4 miles home, coolant all over the garage from the overfill cap. Back to shop, tested and they tell me nothing wrong, cap was loose. I'm frustrated. I'm afraid to drive it home.