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

[j24]

Not quite the start I'd hoped for...

Only picked up my 3.0si coupe last week - all has seemed fine, and I've had a brilliant time in it so far, but noticed today a little patch below the engine bay on the passenger side of the car...

This is the view under the car:




There are a couple of dark spots underneath the car, and a little dark patch on the ground where it looks like something is leaking. I haven't driven it since yesterday, and it's been dry in the garage since.

I'm a little bummed out and really hoping it's not an expensive bill immediately after I've bought the car!

I did have a look in the engine bay and under the car before buying, but the light wasn't on my side and I didn't see any spots on the ground... wishing I'd hired someone for a pre purchase inspection, but I guess that's all a little bit irrelevant now.

Anyway, just to make things worse, the bonnet has decided it doesn't want to open anymore either. So I've got an unidentified leak, which I can't inspect in the engine bay. And the bonnet is in a permanent state of not open not closed...

Can anyone have a stab at identifying the leak(s) from the location? It's on the passengers side of the car, and you can judge how far back the dark patches are in relation to the front wheel.

Thanks in advance for any help. Have sprayed a fair bit of GT85 on the bonnet latch, so will try to open that again in an hour or so. Failing that, I guess I'm looking at driving to a specialist with a bonnet unlatched but not open, and an unidentified leak!!

It gets better from here, right?

[mr.tourette]

probably the sump pan gasket if you hadnt noticed any tell tale signs in the engine bay on purchase

[Robster68]

I don’t know how handy you are on the spanners,but first purchase should be :
Low profile trolley jack and axle stands,lift the car up and take undertrayoff with 10mm socket and go from there,good luck.

[SteVR]

N52 engines:
-Oil filter/cooler gaskets (two)
-Rocker cover gasket
-Sump gasket

All weak points on these motors.

[j24]

Thanks all,

Was hoping to give an update from the engine bay, but STILL can't open the bloody bonnet. Unfortunately not massively experienced on the spanners, so thinking I may get in touch with a nearby BMW/Mini specialist to help sort out the bonnet release and have a look at what the leak is.

[Scubaregs]

Try having someone press down firmly on the bonnet as you pull the release.

[pvr]

Worst case just take the grill out as it just pops out

[j24]

Update:

Finally managed to open the bonnet!! Must have been that last spray of GT85 that did it!

Have attempted to clean some of the gunk around the catch release spring, and used a fair bit of 3 in 1 oil on the spring, so hoping that's the bonnet issue sorted for now.

Weirdly it kind of looks like the damp patch on the ground isn't as damp this morning... Patch on the ground looks lighter, but there's a little more build up on the actual underside of the car itself:




This is what I could see looking from the engine bay:







Zoomed out view for context on position of leak:




Thanks all - hoping someone with more qualified eyes than mine will be able to say what it likely is!

[Zedebee]

Much more likely to be coolant leaking out of the header tank than oil. Are the patches wet or oily?
Split header tank is very common and inexpensive to fix, but difficult to see as the split is often hairline and only leaks when the engine is warm.

[j24]

Much more likely to be coolant leaking out of the header tank than oil.

Yeah I think you're right - a coolant leak seems more likely considering the location. Will try to figure out if it's oily or wet after work.

If it is a split header tank, anything I should look at getting done at the same time? I was already considering replacing the water pump, thermostat and expansion tank as preventative maintenance some point soon... they've never been replaced. Possibly worth doing at the same time if it is a split header tank?

[j24]

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.

[enuff_zed]

Much more likely to be coolant leaking out of the header tank than oil.

Yeah I think you're right - a coolant leak seems more likely considering the location. Will try to figure out if it's oily or wet after work.

If it is a split header tank, anything I should look at getting done at the same time? I was already considering replacing the water pump, thermostat and expansion tank as preventative maintenance some point soon... they've never been replaced. Possibly worth doing at the same time if it is a split header tank?

Not very H&S conscious, but if you dip your finger in it, then dab it on your tongue you'll get a sugary taste if its coolant.

[enuff_zed]

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.

Where are you?
Expansion tank is a fairly easy job and should be easy to get one in a few days.
Why not see if there's a member near you who can help, then just do the tank and see what transpires after that?

[Redmex]

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 .

[skelters]

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.