Re: Coolant Leak Mystry (archive)

John,
I had a similar leak on my recently departed '78 320i (died in a front end collision early this week, no one was hurt but unibody is twisted). Interestingly enough I found and fixed the leak just last weekend. Anyway, on my car there is a steel tube that runs from the front of the engine near the water pump to the back of the engine (along US drivers side). This tube is for the heating system supply among other things. Anyway, at the water pump it is connected by a short piece of rubber hose. This is most easily seen by removing the alternator. Removing the alternator will allow you to do a pretty good inspection of the area, but you can see it from underneath if you look closely. If all else fails, I like to use a black light to follow coolant leaks in a dark garage. It will glow quite nicely.

MikeM
'78 320i ---> component donor to stripped '82 320is that I happen to have in the garage at my
mom's house. Its good to keep spares.
'88 735i

: Coolant is fun!

: My 320i is leaking coolant from SOME WHERE on the front of the engine.
: This
: is not a dribble, but a good squirt/run of coolant.

: It is NOT coming from the water pump bearing. Maybe it is the water
: pump
: housing? It only happens sporadically.

: Sometimes when I run the A/C it is worse. It also occurs after a hard
: run.
: I am stumped.

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