[kierownik]

Hi everyone.
I have a massive issue - on holiday. Yeah lucky me.

Anyway. Drove 350 miles no problems. 2 hours later drove 10 miles. No problem. On the way back.... Low water coolant lvl warning. I thought i will top up when I get back. Few moment later... Engine temp warning. I drove slowly for a few minutes to the safety.
Opened the bonnet and noticed that some of the hoses were wet. Opened the collant reservoir but it was empty. I filled up with water and it took about 2 ltrs of water. Started the engine and few seconds later... Waterfall from under the engine. Removed the cover under the engine to try and locate the issue but apart from it leaking from somewhere at the back of the engine (I think, because I was unable to remove other smaller cover under the engine) I couldn't really see anything. Basically as soon as j start the engine it spits out all the water. I'm unable to locate the source looking from the top or from under the engine. I'm devastated to be honest. A friend who's with me towed me back to the camp site. Will try to get the car to the garage on Monday. But maybe I could try to do something myself. I don't know what to do. I'm so far away from home. Supposed to be going back home on Friday but I've no idea what's gonna happen.

The hose that goes across the engine on top of it under the intake manifold was all wet. But I'm unable to inspect it without removing the intake manifold. I can only see the front of that pipe

Update....
After some research I'm pretty sure what's caused the problem. Its the pipe i mentioned before. Apparently can be inspected and replaced without removing the intake. So will be going to the car soon to see what I can do. That pipe is a common problem on those engines due to its poor design.

[Icarium81]

Had a coolant issue last year, it was unfortunately the one going through the top of the engine.... who the fuck designed it like that????? They need their teeth kicked in. Literally couldn't keep coolant in it for more than 20 minutes and then it'd be dry

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by Icarium81

Had a coolant issue last year, it was unfortunately the one going through the top of the engine.... who the fuck designed it like that????? They need their teeth kicked in. Literally couldn't keep coolant in it for more than 20 minutes and then it'd be dry

Was it the one I marked in yellow? Or the one with nr 10 on it? This one would definitely need intake removed to get it replaced.
Mine spits the water put like a waterfall.

I just hope I didn't cook the engine as I drove for a few minutes after I got the temperature warning because there was nowhere safe to stop.

[kierownik]

So it's the pipe that i thought it will be. Degraded and snapped off. The brown material is crumbling very easily.

[PHXATC]

Glad you got it fixed in that spaghetti mess of wires, hoses, and braces.

At least, hopefully, you can continue to enjoy your holiday time.

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by PHXATC

Glad you got it fixed in that spaghetti mess of wires, hoses, and braces.

At least, hopefully, you can continue to enjoy your holiday time.

No fixed yet. Only located the issue. Bmw parts departments are closed on Sundays so I have to wait until tomorrow before I'll be able to order the part. Hopefully won't be a long wait. Once I get the part I'll get it fitted, bleed the system and fingers crossed nothing else is cooked.

[PHXATC]

Originally Posted by kierownik

No fixed yet. Only located the issue. Bmw parts departments are closed on Sundays so I have to wait until tomorrow before I'll be able to order the part. Hopefully won't be a long wait. Once I get the part I'll get it fitted, bleed the system and fingers crossed nothing else is cooked.

Pop another adult beverage while waiting and hope for the best.

Cheers!

[Icarium81]

If the one in yellow is the one that runs THROUGH the engine, yes. It did require about 4 hours of labor at the shop. I couldn't imagine the designers thoughts on that bullshit. Got literally one job to make things relatively easy for a mechanic...OR.... kick our mechanics in the teeth and over complicate things needlessly. Well they went with option 2 of course

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by Icarium81

If the one in yellow is the one that runs THROUGH the engine, yes. It did require about 4 hours of labor at the shop. I couldn't imagine the designers thoughts on that bullshit. Got literally one job to make things relatively easy for a mechanic...OR.... kick our mechanics in the teeth and over complicate things needlessly. Well they went with option 2 of course

Yes it's the one marked in yellow. It took me 25min to remove it. Now car sits outside my tent waiting for new part which I'll have tomorrow. Gonna take me 20min to fit it in.
My biggest worry is bleeding the cooling system.

[Icarium81]

Originally Posted by kierownik

Yes it's the one marked in yellow. It took me 25min to remove it. Now car sits outside my tent waiting for new part which I'll have tomorrow. Gonna take me 20min to fit it in.
My biggest worry is bleeding the cooling system.

So just so I'm clear. It took you, assuming you're not a mechanic, 25 minutes with whatever tools you had on hand, at a campsite.... and will presumably take an additional 3.5 hours to re install and bleed.... right...right??? Because the bmw dealership charged us at least 4 hours to do it.

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by Icarium81

So just so I'm clear. It took you, assuming you're not a mechanic, 25 minutes with whatever tools you had on hand, at a campsite.... and will presumably take an additional 3.5 hours to re install and bleed.... right...right??? Because the bmw dealership charged us at least 4 hours to do it.

Yes, I'm not a mechanic but I can do or fix things if I have any kind of idea of what is what. Youtube and Google can be very helpful in some cases. I have a basic set of socket tools and some screwdrivers. Took me 25min to remove that hose and the connectors (which were not the part of the hose anymore because they snaped). I didn't remove the intake. Probably the reason why it took bmw so long. You can reach behind the alternator and feel where the connector goes. Fitting new part shouldn't take more than 15-20min + whatever it's gonna take to bleed the system.

[jsouth]

Bleeding the coolant system is not that big a deal on the N20/N26 engine. I drained the coolant last summer to replace gaskets on the oil filter housing. I had never flushed or bled the system before, and it took about 10 minutes to do that. When you get home you can drain the water out and add proper coolant mix.

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by jsouth

Bleeding the coolant system is not that big a deal on the N20/N26 engine. I drained the coolant last summer to replace gaskets on the oil filter housing. I had never flushed or bled the system before, and it took about 10 minutes to do that. When you get home you can drain the water out and add proper coolant mix.

Thanks. Mine is a b48 engine but it's pretty much the same procedure. I researched the bleeding procedure and it looks like I should be able to get it done. You know the one where you have to turn the igniotn on without starting the engine, climate control to full temp and fan to lowest speed, headlights on, accelerstor depressed for over 10 seconds.

I'll also try to drain whatever is left in the system before refilling with new coolant. I'll update tomorrow with the results.

[Orion4]

We, in the F30/N-55 community, have a similar issue with essentially the same part. It runs from the coolant reservoir across the top of the radiator to the upper coolant hose. It get brittle with heat cycles. I've gone through 3 in 183,500 miles. It make a mess, but fortunately (for us) an easy 10 minute remove/replace, then the coolant fill procedure. It's #2 in the diagram.

[schnellwagen]

I believe there is an active recall on said part. Not sure about UK, but I got it replaced proactively in USA.

[kierownik]

Originally Posted by schnellwagen

I believe there is an active recall on said part. Not sure about UK, but I got it replaced proactively in USA.

No recall in UK I'm afraid.

[schnellwagen]

Originally Posted by kierownik

No recall in UK I'm afraid.

That's peculiar, usually Europe has stronger consumer protections than the USA. I would definitely recommend that you contact BMW UK corporate and pressure them into doing a goodwill repair.

[Orion4]

Do you have the recall identifier?

Originally Posted by schnellwagen

I believe there is an active recall on said part. Not sure about UK, but I got it replaced proactively in USA.

[eff32fl]

I got the same hose replaced by the dealer for free on my old 430i/B46 there was an active recall apparently. Not sure what the bulletin number is.

[Icarium81]

Yes please do post whatever recall issue it is that I need to take in to bmw to get my fkn money back, bunch of thieves.

[kierownik]

Ok so I've done 500 miles since I fixed it and it seems like the car is running fine. I spoke to bmw and I was told there's no recall for this part in UK. When I purchased the part from BMW parts department the guy told me it's a 4th version of this thing. So it had 4 revisions in just a few years. Hopefully this one will last a bit more.

[surajm]

Hello , I have 2019 420i , local garage told me that issue of coolant loss/leak . They did initial diagnosis and mentioned coolant leak from hose/seal below inlet manifold (believed to run from expansion tank area to cylinder head). Given the location of leak we are not able to be specific as to the complete parts required. They told me it is time consuming work and will take lot of time.

They told me to contact BMW dealer as this is known issue but there is no recall in UK.

Hence i towed my car to BMW garage . I am worried about the quotation cost if it takes so much time