F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > B58 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Name that leak
ARMA SPEED
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-18-2020, 12:56 PM   #1
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Name that leak

So today, I noticed that this fluid was coming from my passenger side wheel well.


Anyone know what this is?


Car was running fine, but as I passed it in the driveway I saw that there was a pool of this green/blue fluid.


Any help would be appreciated.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2020, 01:29 PM   #2
VipinLJ
Petrolhead
VipinLJ's Avatar
United_States
1937
Rep
3,520
Posts

Drives: ‘20 330i,‘16 X3,‘18 SQ5,‘17 A7
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (2)

Wiper fluid?
__________________
Current:
2020 BMW 330i xDrive
2018 Audi SQ5 Prestige
2017 Audi A7 Prestige
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2020, 01:39 PM   #3
dawidd3
New Member
3
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: F30 340Xi B58
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Poland

iTrader: (0)

Coolant or washer fluid.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2020, 01:52 PM   #4
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

It doesn’t have that usual coolant smell, but maybe BMW uses something different. It seems rather dark to be wiper fluid. I guess I’ll have to open it up either way.
Anyone know what that heat exchanger over there is?
It does seem to be water based, as in washes off the hands with soap and water.
It’s an M Sport.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2020, 02:20 PM   #5
bellguy
Second Lieutenant
bellguy's Avatar
126
Rep
283
Posts

Drives: BMW 2019 440I M sport
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Looks exactly like coolant to me.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2020, 03:09 PM   #6
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Here is a more useful picture.
Seems to be coming from this exchanger right here, or the hose right by the wet spot. Anyone know what that is?

A secondary radiator of some kind?
Appreciate 0
      10-19-2020, 12:52 AM   #7
_N54
Captain
_N54's Avatar
300
Rep
884
Posts

Drives: 335d
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B50AteYourRide View Post
Here is a more useful picture.
Seems to be coming from this exchanger right here, or the hose right by the wet spot. Anyone know what that is?

A secondary radiator of some kind?
Yes that's a heat exchanger and it appears to be leaking. If you have the tracking handling package it will have 2 and if you don't then it has just 1 iirc.
__________________
2013 335is - sold
2011 335d
Appreciate 1
kern4174442.00
      10-19-2020, 08:57 AM   #8
kern417
Cheapskate
4442
Rep
4,992
Posts

Drives: 2018 440i |2016 340i | 2010 X5
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cincinnati

iTrader: (1)

it's just an additional radiator for engine cooling. find the leak and replace whatever was damaged. it won't be covered under warranty if you have one.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by umizoomi View Post
As long as 3-pedals are an option, I will exercise my right to suffer the handicap and indignity of slower shifts and reaction times.
Youtube/Instagram/TikTok: @kern417
Appreciate 0
      10-19-2020, 03:01 PM   #9
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. I did some more digging and it's definitely one of two auxiliary radiators that I have. From my internet research, most if not all have an auxiliary radiator on the driver side (US Spec), but a smaller subset have a second auxiliary radiator on the passenger side; M Sport and Track package, but perhaps others as well.

To my knowledge, this car did not come with the track package, but it is an M Sport.

The part number is on the side: 17117628057


It seems as though the same part is for either the driver or passenger sides.
These are about $200.00 online and seem to be very easy to replace.

No warranty concerns here.
Appreciate 1
kern4174442.00
      10-19-2020, 06:09 PM   #10
G.Newt
Major
802
Rep
1,447
Posts

Drives: CT4-V Blackwing 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: CO -> TX

iTrader: (0)

This seems related to the weak heat exchanger the Bx8 engines are becoming known for. Rocks are puncturing those things and BMW retroactively created a rock guard kit lol.
__________________
2022 CT4-V Blackwing 6-speed
SOLD: 2016 340i xDrive 6-speed
DAW v2.5 turbo E40 | Dorch S2 | VRSF DP | MST intake | AWE catback | 335is clutch | CSF heat exchanger | RK Autowerks intake manifold | Orange M Perf Brake Kit | KW Street Comfort coilovers | GTS taillights V2
Appreciate 0
      10-19-2020, 06:51 PM   #11
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

A guard is probably not a bad idea. For the auxiliary radiators as well?
I speculate this was a rock that cracked a tube in the aux radiator.

The main radiator is behind the condenser and intercooler exchanger I believe. It may not get all that much airflow.
Appreciate 0
      10-20-2020, 12:47 AM   #12
weehe126
Brigadier General
1156
Rep
3,179
Posts

Drives: 2017 340i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Antonio

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by G.Newt View Post
This seems related to the weak heat exchanger the Bx8 engines are becoming known for. Rocks are puncturing those things and BMW retroactively created a rock guard kit lol.
You are thinking of the main radiator, not the aux in the wheel wheel. There is a long way for a rock to go to damage the aux cooler.
Appreciate 1
G.Newt801.50
      10-20-2020, 12:48 AM   #13
weehe126
Brigadier General
1156
Rep
3,179
Posts

Drives: 2017 340i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Antonio

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B50AteYourRide View Post
A guard is probably not a bad idea. For the auxiliary radiators as well?
I speculate this was a rock that cracked a tube in the aux radiator.

The main radiator is behind the condenser and intercooler exchanger I believe. It may not get all that much airflow.
It's hard to tell from the pics, but the plastic 90° connectors are notorious for getting cracks for the last 20 years.
Appreciate 1
      10-20-2020, 06:25 AM   #14
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by weehe126 View Post
It's hard to tell from the pics, but the plastic 90° connectors are notorious for getting cracks for the last 20 years.
Good to know. They seem ok for now.
Appreciate 0
      10-21-2020, 10:16 PM   #15
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kern417 View Post
it's just an additional radiator for engine cooling. find the leak and replace whatever was damaged. it won't be covered under warranty if you have one.
Hey, maybe you know this. I replaced the aux radiator and topped off the coolant. I want to make sure that I am using the correct process for bleeding the system. A video by Keis Motorsports for a 335i shows a process where the engine doesn’t run. You put the car in accessory mode and hold down the gas pedal for 10 seconds. The car does its thing for 15 minutes, then you top it off again.

Another process I saw, that I think is specific to the B58, is similar in that you go into accessory mode, but you start the engine. The engine runs, and for a few cycles you are supposed to hold the gas to 3,500 RPM for 10 seconds, then back to 1,200RPM, for 30 seconds, then repeat a few times. Then it seems you just let it idle till it’s done. It seems rather different, mainly because the engine is running.

Do you know the correct process for the B58? Basically, should the engine be running?
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2020, 03:18 PM   #16
kern417
Cheapskate
4442
Rep
4,992
Posts

Drives: 2018 440i |2016 340i | 2010 X5
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cincinnati

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B50AteYourRide View Post
Hey, maybe you know this. I replaced the aux radiator and topped off the coolant. I want to make sure that I am using the correct process for bleeding the system. A video by Keis Motorsports for a 335i shows a process where the engine doesn’t run. You put the car in accessory mode and hold down the gas pedal for 10 seconds. The car does its thing for 15 minutes, then you top it off again.

Another process I saw, that I think is specific to the B58, is similar in that you go into accessory mode, but you start the engine. The engine runs, and for a few cycles you are supposed to hold the gas to 3,500 RPM for 10 seconds, then back to 1,200RPM, for 30 seconds, then repeat a few times. Then it seems you just let it idle till it’s done. It seems rather different, mainly because the engine is running.

Do you know the correct process for the B58? Basically, should the engine be running?
For the aux radiator, you need the engine running so that the mechanical pump is flowing too. That's why they rev the engine up, to increase the pumps flow and push out air in the system. For the intercooler system you can do it without turning on the car.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by umizoomi View Post
As long as 3-pedals are an option, I will exercise my right to suffer the handicap and indignity of slower shifts and reaction times.
Youtube/Instagram/TikTok: @kern417
Appreciate 1
      10-22-2020, 03:36 PM   #17
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kern417 View Post
For the aux radiator, you need the engine running so that the mechanical pump is flowing too. That's why they rev the engine up, to increase the pumps flow and push out air in the system. For the intercooler system you can do it without turning on the car.
Thanks so much! You are an asset to the community.

It also says I should plug the battery to a charger. If the engine is running, why would I need to do that? Wondering if I can safely skip that step.

Just checked, the N55 has an electric water pump. I didn’t know that.

Last edited by B50AteYourRide; 10-22-2020 at 04:02 PM..
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2020, 06:18 PM   #18
weehe126
Brigadier General
1156
Rep
3,179
Posts

Drives: 2017 340i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Antonio

iTrader: (2)

I would skip the charger while the car is running. Probably mentioned as just idling won't really charge the battery, but I personally would feel safer with the charge when the car is off...
Appreciate 1
kern4174442.00
      10-23-2020, 01:42 PM   #19
kern417
Cheapskate
4442
Rep
4,992
Posts

Drives: 2018 440i |2016 340i | 2010 X5
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cincinnati

iTrader: (1)

The engine circuit has an electric pump and a mechanical pump, the intercooler circuit only has an electric pump. Both pumps can be activated with a specific sequence of buttons/pedal in the car, so if you're doing that with the car off then a charger is recommended.

I did it without a charger and didn't have any issues. Even if the battery does die or the car cuts off, it just turns off the pump. Not really dangerous.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by umizoomi View Post
As long as 3-pedals are an option, I will exercise my right to suffer the handicap and indignity of slower shifts and reaction times.
Youtube/Instagram/TikTok: @kern417
Appreciate 2
      10-23-2020, 08:59 PM   #20
B50AteYourRide
a bit obsessed
United_States
70
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: '16 340i x Drive
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

I ended up borrowing a NAPA charger from the neighbor just to be safe. It did seem ridiculous, but that's what the manual said. It probably is overkill. I even took it off wrong and made a nice spark. Probably more harm than good.

Everything works though.

Shutting down NewTis didn't help.

Here are the steps for anyone with this problem in the future:

They say you can only refill the coolant (assuming the system has been completely drained) with a vacuum filler device.

In this case I just topped it off and started from here:
• Adjust coolant level in coolant expansion tank for high temperature to maximum .
• Shut the sealing cap on the coolant expansion tank for high temperature.
• Connect battery charger.
• Close driver's seat belt.
• Switch on ignition by quickly operating the START-STOP button three times.
• Adjust blower to lowest Level, adjust heating to maximum temperature.
• Floor the accelerator pedal and hold for 15 s.
• The automatic cooling system bleeding routine is being introduced.
• Start engine.
• Idle speed is automatically increased to 1200 rpm.
• Operate accelerator pedal till approx. 3500 1/min , hold engine speed 10 s .
• Idle speed for 30 s.
• Operate accelerator pedal till approx. 3500 1/min , hold engine
speed 10 s .
• Idle speed for 30 s.
• Operate accelerator pedal till approx. 3500 1/min , hold engine speed 10 s .
• Idle speed for 30 s.
• Operate accelerator pedal till approx. 3500 1/min , hold engine
speed 10 s .
• Idle speed for 30 s.
• Operate accelerator pedal till approx. 3500 1/min , hold engine speed 10 s .
• The cooling system bleeding routine has finished approximately 11 min after the engine starts.
• Engine speed drops to idling speed level once again.
• Switch off engine.
• Allow the engine to cool down.
• Adjust filling level in coolant expansion high temperature to maximum and overfill with 200 ml.
• Close the sealing cap (1) until it lines up with the arrows.

Here is an illustration they give you for the sequence of engine revving steps.


So there it was. Had to submerge it in a 5 gallon bucket with my thumb and an air compressor to find it. Must have been a stray bit of something. It was experiencing some high velocity airflow that day.
Appreciate 1
kern4174442.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:36 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST