Coolant loss

[birdy_z4]

Well after an interesting drive up the m6 and multiple delays I got coolant low warning. In traffic jam as normal in the m6 and checked levels before leaving as normal

Had new radiator earlier this year as that had gone.

Had no issues previously

Was stuck in a jam so stopped engine and had to refill the coolant :-(

Having looked further below is the issue I can see which is the top radiator hose




Now have not checked hoses below as cannot ramp up the car

Do you think this has been refitted incorrectly or just failed ?

 

[deltasierra]

Is the electric fan working?.

 

[B21]

Very very easy for the click fit connectors to apparently be seated and then not..had it on mine about 5 days and 200 miles after it had been disconnected…

 

[birdy_z4]

Thanks will re connect the fan connector to see if it is or not

 

[B21]

Spec of dirt on those connectors and...

 

[birdy_z4]

Made it back home driving slowly with a small top up now to get it on the ramps asap

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks will re connect the fan connector to see if it is or not

[ref]B21[/ref], did you mean the electrical fan connector, or the hose end fitting?
Just checking the OP is looking at the right thing.

 

[axelleveau]

Am I the only one not seeing the metal spring on that connector?

 

[enuff_zed]

Am I the only one not seeing the metal spring on that connector?

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Hawkeye!

 

[B21]

Thanks will re connect the fan connector to see if it is or not

[ref]B21[/ref], did you mean the electrical fan connector, or the hose end fitting?
Just checking the OP is looking at the right thing.

I was referring to the click fit connector for the coolant with its attendant spring clip that doesn’t get fully seated..

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks will re connect the fan connector to see if it is or not

[ref]B21[/ref], did you mean the electrical fan connector, or the hose end fitting?
Just checking the OP is looking at the right thing.

I was referring to the click fit connector for the coolant with its attendant spring clip that doesn’t get fully seated..

I thought so. The OP thought you meant electrical connection.
And has now been pointed out, the spring clip is missing.

 

[axelleveau]

Well, I was not 100% sure so I checked again and after zooming in a lot it seems the spring is indeed there, hard to see as it seems black rather than shiny steel

 

[birdy_z4]

I can see a spring clip I think ….

Will post more pics when stripped down

Love the z4 even driving back down the m6 at a mere 55 felt good

 

[birdy_z4]

Checked this morning before work not driving it as it is my weekend car

There is a little loss of fluid and I think it is still leaking from this connection

 

[enuff_zed]

Is that a new hose on that connection? If not and it has been removed/refitted then it could be that the seal is damaged. From experience, they tend to flatten out and once disturbed they sometimes don't seal properly again. The seal sits inside the plastic connector.

 

[birdy_z4]

Is that a new hose on that connection? If not and it has been removed/refitted then it could be that the seal is damaged. From experience, they tend to flatten out and once disturbed they sometimes don't seal properly again. The seal sits inside the plastic connector.

The radiator was changed but not the hose by my local indi with warranty

Is it possible to reseat the hose with antifreeze in the system or is it new hose and new antifreeze

Presume the indi will say it’s a new hose and chargeable

 

[enuff_zed]

Is that a new hose on that connection? If not and it has been removed/refitted then it could be that the seal is damaged. From experience, they tend to flatten out and once disturbed they sometimes don't seal properly again. The seal sits inside the plastic connector.

The radiator was changed but not the hose by my local indi with warranty

Is it possible to reseat the hose with antifreeze in the system or is it new hose and new antifreeze

Presume the indi will say it’s a new hose and chargeable

Trouble is that the seal comes with the hose.
If you can get the old seal out you may be able to find a company that sell the correct size replacement.
No idea how much antifreeze you would lose if you could get away with just disconnecting that top end?

 

[birdy_z4]

Ok thanks for the feedback

May order the top hose and give it a go or let the indi redo it but I know they will want to charge for it

 

[birdy_z4]

Is that a new hose on that connection? If not and it has been removed/refitted then it could be that the seal is damaged. From experience, they tend to flatten out and once disturbed they sometimes don't seal properly again. The seal sits inside the plastic connector.

The radiator was changed but not the hose by my local indi with warranty

Is it possible to reseat the hose with antifreeze in the system or is it new hose and new antifreeze

Presume the indi will say it’s a new hose and chargeable

Trouble is that the seal comes with the hose.
If you can get the old seal out you may be able to find a company that sell the correct size replacement.
No idea how much antifreeze you would lose if you could get away with just disconnecting that top end?

Looking on bmw oem I can’t actually make out the hose that connects to the top radiator hose as per my picture

Mine being the automatic 3.0si 2010

 

[enuff_zed]

The radiator was changed but not the hose by my local indi with warranty

Is it possible to reseat the hose with antifreeze in the system or is it new hose and new antifreeze

Presume the indi will say it’s a new hose and chargeable

Trouble is that the seal comes with the hose.
If you can get the old seal out you may be able to find a company that sell the correct size replacement.
No idea how much antifreeze you would lose if you could get away with just disconnecting that top end?

Looking on bmw oem I can’t actually make out the hose that connects to the top radiator hose as per my picture

Mine being the automatic 3.0si 2010

Me neither. Can see everything else, and the top hose shows the union underneath, but nothing going to it.
Where does the other end of that hose go?
Maybe it's on another component diagram?