2001 BMW 5 Series Logo
Posted on Nov 10, 2009
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Is leaking coolant, waterpump was replaced last year

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Zlobomir

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  • Posted on Nov 10, 2009
Zlobomir
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Leaking from the pump, from the axle and probably gets worse when engine runs? There are many low-quality parts on the market, or it might have been replaced with a second-hand one, with or without your knowledge. Put the heater switch to max heating to allow full coolant circulation everywhere, use a special cleaner to clean all the pipes. It is filled in the radiator just like the coolant, follow the exact directions on packaging. After that look for worn hoses or bad joints, replace the pump or only the axle sealing, as needed, and fill with a new cooling liquid, not water. Water causes rust, and shortens not only pump life. For detaching the pump, ask again. Generally you have to loose a bolt and move the alternator, take belt off, service the pump. new gasket for the pump will also be necessary, clean the old one from both surfaces and ensure they are free of scratches. For putting belt back however, you will need experience, overtight belt may also decrease pump's life. HTH   

Larry Chandler

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Larry Chandler
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Hi:
Coolant leaks can be tough to figure out where they are leaking, because it is tough to check around on a warm, running engine! I hope it isn't your recently changed water pump, but you can't rule that out. To help narrow things down, you can put papers down on your garage floor, and get a better idea as to what area under the hood it is leaking from, such as directly under the radiator, left side, right side, etc. Using a safe cooling system stop leak product is an option too. Bahrs leak is put in the radiator of every brand new car, and is a safe bet to aid in stoping a small leak. Either way, you need to narrow your search area if you want to find the problem, so work that first!

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Michael Stephens

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  • Posted on Nov 10, 2009
Michael Stephens
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You need to preasure test the cooling system and then examine the entire system for any signs of leakage. hoses, plastic coolant housings, radiator. it may only be a slight leak. there is usualy a plastic housing at the back of the head which is difficult to see.
if there is no external leakage whatsoever, the problem could be more serious.
sometimes coolant leaks only become apparent on a warm engine.

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  • Posted on Nov 10, 2009
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Is it a V8?
does the coolant look like it is coming from between the engine and transmission?
If so there are some heater hoses at the back of the engine or it couild be the intake valley gasket, It is a common problem on these.
You have to remove the intake manifold to get to the valley pan.

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take a look at the waterpump, these cars have problems with waterpump leaking, take caution, the waterpump is driven by the timing belt,if that belt pops or jumps due to coolant leaking on it and causing it to fail,then you will have a costly repair,i belive its about $4,000 to fix, it will cause cylinder head valves to bent, have this coolant leak check asap.
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