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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

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MKZ4000
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by MKZ4000 » Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:45 pm

Redmex wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:04 pm This thread takes me back 15 months ago when a couple of days after buying found the mayo under the oil cap then fearing the worst my 3.0i was a sick pup ie head gasket but the engine is possibly the best bit about the car never misses a beat and pulls so good in every gear . Never seen the mayo again
I couldn't believe I never checked under the cap when buying .
Maybe good job , you might not have bought it.

Very common in cold weather especially with short journeys. It’s not a definitive test for HG failure
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N4LLY
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by N4LLY » Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:57 pm

MKZ4000 wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:45 pm
Redmex wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:04 pm This thread takes me back 15 months ago when a couple of days after buying found the mayo under the oil cap then fearing the worst my 3.0i was a sick pup ie head gasket but the engine is possibly the best bit about the car never misses a beat and pulls so good in every gear . Never seen the mayo again
I couldn't believe I never checked under the cap when buying .
Maybe good job , you might not have bought it.

Very common in cold weather especially with short journeys. It’s not a definitive test for HG failure
If you want to see what cold weather and short journey's does to your oil (After a recent oil change)

See here.......

https://video.citnow.com/vp2sYS2CgTU
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by axelleveau » Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:52 pm

My expension tank failed about a month after I bought mine, I guess it was the first time in a while the car drove long enough to get fully warmed up and build pressure and that made the tank failed at the usual spot.
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by Sludgepump » Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:15 pm

j24 wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 11:51 am Another update...

I think it's a coolant leak, so am thinking it's time to refresh the coolant system - but have just called up a local BMW indy who said the earliest they can book it in for is the week of Christmas.... :( Also it'll definitely take longer for parts etc to arrive over Christmas/New Year, so the car could be there a while!

Hell of a long time to wait! And I don't fancy driving the car if it is leaking coolant, last thing I want to do is risk a bigger failire/cooking the engine.

I'm not fancying taking it on as a job, I'm definitely not massively confident/competent with spanners beyond minor things. So thinking I'll just have to book it in and wait until next year to drive the car again. Sigh.
Why does it have to be an Indy? I had mine done at a local MOT centre who also do servicing. Cost me £120 including a new reservoir and fresh antifreeze.
It's not a difficult job for a garage. I would have done it myself but couldn't be bothered to crawl around under the car. It would be a shame
not to drive it until the new year.
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by enuff_zed » Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:22 pm

Sludgepump wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:15 pm
j24 wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 11:51 am Another update...

I think it's a coolant leak, so am thinking it's time to refresh the coolant system - but have just called up a local BMW indy who said the earliest they can book it in for is the week of Christmas.... :( Also it'll definitely take longer for parts etc to arrive over Christmas/New Year, so the car could be there a while!

Hell of a long time to wait! And I don't fancy driving the car if it is leaking coolant, last thing I want to do is risk a bigger failire/cooking the engine.

I'm not fancying taking it on as a job, I'm definitely not massively confident/competent with spanners beyond minor things. So thinking I'll just have to book it in and wait until next year to drive the car again. Sigh.
Why does it have to be an Indy? I had mine done at a local MOT centre who also do servicing. Cost me £120 including a new reservoir and fresh antifreeze.
It's not a difficult job for a garage. I would have done it myself but couldn't be bothered to crawl around under the car. It would be a shame
not to drive it until the new year.
To be clear, you can do the whole job from the top. No crawling required. :thumbsup:
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by fernando306 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 2:29 am

j24 wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 11:51 am Another update...

I think it's a coolant leak, so am thinking it's time to refresh the coolant system - but have just called up a local BMW indy who said the earliest they can book it in for is the week of Christmas.... :( Also it'll definitely take longer for parts etc to arrive over Christmas/New Year, so the car could be there a while!

Hell of a long time to wait! And I don't fancy driving the car if it is leaking coolant, last thing I want to do is risk a bigger failire/cooking the engine.

I'm not fancying taking it on as a job, I'm definitely not massively confident/competent with spanners beyond minor things. So thinking I'll just have to book it in and wait until next year to drive the car again. Sigh.
No surprise there, expansion tank is likely to be cracked. It's an easy DIY if you're willing.
Honestly, owning an old Z4 is only fun if you like to work on it. Because it will require work.

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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by j24 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:31 am

skelters wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:23 pm For the Bonnet catch get yourself some Muc-Off bike lube and put that on it.

It'll work better and last longer than anything else.

Thanks - good tip!
axelleveau wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:52 pm My expension tank failed about a month after I bought mine, I guess it was the first time in a while the car drove long enough to get fully warmed up and build pressure and that made the tank failed at the usual spot.
Glad to hear I’m not alone in having it happen so fast!!

I knew when I bought the car it would need doing soon - but didn’t quite expect it would need doing 5 days in :rofl:

Sludgepump wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:15 pm Why does it have to be an Indy? I had mine done at a local MOT centre who also do servicing. Cost me £120 including a new reservoir and fresh antifreeze.
It's not a difficult job for a garage.
Fair question - in all honesty the car is new to me and I want to look after it best I can… plus I’m not too knowledgeable about the DIY side of things, worry I’ll take things apart and be in a worst place than where it started!! And I want to make sure right parts/coolant etc would be used, so BMW indy was my first thought. Especially as my plan was always to refresh the whole coolant system in one go (expansion tank, water pump, thermostat etc).

But having read a few comments maybe it’s not too difficult a job… need to look into it a little more.

Have a feeling that changing the entire coolant system myself would be a bit of a challenge for a complete newbie - but maybe a decent local garage could do it a lot quicker/cheaper than a BMW specialist.

enuff_zed wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:22 pm To be clear, you can do the whole job from the top. No crawling required. :thumbsup:
Ah okay - had assumed I’d need to raise the car to let out coolant/take off/reapply hoses. I’ll have another think on whether I could just do the expansion tank myself… if that’s even where the leak is coming from!


Thanks all.
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by enuff_zed » Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:36 am

j24 wrote: Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:31 am Ah okay - had assumed I’d need to raise the car to let out coolant/take off/reapply hoses. I’ll have another think on whether I could just do the expansion tank myself… if that’s even where the leak is coming from!
It is easier to see with the bottom tray removed if you've never done it before, and also I believe by raising the front a little it helps with avoiding airlocks when refilling.
So, to sound like I'm back-tracking, you may find it worth running the front of the car up on some planks, or a kerb, but it's not essential.
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by TOMGREEN413 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 4:50 pm

Great looking car, I was almost tempted myself when it price dropped by 1k, I'm sure your get it sorted quickly and easily, the folks on this forum seem incredibly helpful. I'm not ready to buy until after Christmas.......unless I see one that ticks all the boxes., either way I can't wait to own one. Loving ❤ that colour BTW.
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by j24 » Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:51 am

TOMGREEN413 wrote: Thu Nov 24, 2022 4:50 pm Great looking car, I was almost tempted myself when it price dropped by 1k, I'm sure your get it sorted quickly and easily, the folks on this forum seem incredibly helpful. I'm not ready to buy until after Christmas.......unless I see one that ticks all the boxes., either way I can't wait to own one. Loving ❤ that colour BTW.
Cheers Tom! Yep, the price drop sealed it for me, and I love how the coupe's look, especially in Montego Blue - decided that was a must for me!! Wouldn't usually pick white leather, but actually think it works really well with the blue :D

And yeah, have found the forum a brilliant resource in my first few weeks. Good luck with your search! :)
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by j24 » Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:52 am

Good news all - the car is back on the road!

I decided to listen to a few of you and take the plunge to replace the expansion tank. Ordered a new OEM one (about £75 on eBay from a BMW dealer) plus some coolant, and enlisted the help of a couple of family members who are a little more mechanically minded than me.

Parts turned up last week, and managed to get it sorted on Saturday afternoon. Took us around 4 hours in the end, lots of fiddly bits - but I think the leak is sorted.

Nice feeling of satisfaction in sorting something out yourself, but I think that’s probably my limit in terms of mechanical ability!!

Anyway - have completely refreshed the coolant, and gone for a couple of runs in the car now. Yesterday was a 40 min drive whilst giving it some beans once warmed up, and so far so good! Even able to stop next to a lake for a quick photo op!

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Really great to have it back on the road again. Although, I noticed another problem I’m going to need to get fixed asap… it’s not quite enough to put the car off the road again, but not great and probably something to sort out asap ideally.

I’ll post another thread about it otherwise this one could turn into a never-ending one - Thanks for the help and tips all!
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by SDJ » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:09 pm

Q: A leak one week into ownership. What is it?
A: Normal bmw ownership

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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by j24 » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:21 pm

SDJ wrote: Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:09 pm Q: A leak one week into ownership. What is it?
A: Normal bmw ownership
Lol 😂

Pretty accurate - happened with my 118i too!
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Help! A leak one week into ownership. What is it?

Post by TOMGREEN413 » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:56 pm

j24 wrote: Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:52 am

Image

Loving that colour, great photos BTW and nice to hear to got it fixed yourself. I've gotta be patient till new-year :tumbleweed:
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