Coolant Leak

SHAWN MARCHETTI

MEMBER
BMW 318

BMW
1998
318ti
145000
4cyc 1.9
We have a coolant leak which appears to be comming from the back of the engine. From looking underneath it is comming straight down and hitting the headers. However we can not find any leaking hoses. It was overheating so I turned on the heat to get some of it out of the car but no heat was comming from the vents. Just cold air. Any idea what this could be or where I should check for the leak? I have been reading and can only think of the heater coil? When the car is running antifreeze is pouring out from underneath and white smoke/steam is comming from the engine compartment.

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check where the leaking is coming from-could be a freeze plug/heater hose/heater core- etc.

When the car is running antifreeze is pouring out from underneath and white smoke/steam is comming from the engine compartment

Get it fix ASAP-you might end up ruining the engine.

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Saturday, August 4th, 2007 AT 6:38 PM

JOEBURNS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi

I have had exactly the same problem the other day. I was out driving and noticed the coolant was overheating so I quickly turned on the heaters to max only to find no heat was coming out. I also had a smoky radiator and the coolant is leaking from somewhere.

I dont know what the problem is but did you ever find out what the problem was?

Joe

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Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 AT 10:07 AM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Cooling system diagnosis starts with pressure testing the system, fill with water and pressurize the system and look for the leak. If the heater core is the culprit, then the drain for the heater box is the place to look.

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Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 AT 10:15 AM

JOEBURNS