Re: Need help finding coolant leak (archive)

Coolant's coming from the front? Most likely the water pump. The cheapest places to get the OEM replacement are bimmerworld or Maximillian. The gasket may be the culprit, but after 12 years, I'd replace the water pump anyway. Check your belt tension to make sure it's not too tight. This causes premature failure of the water pump and alternator bearings.

I've never done it on an M5 before, but it's pretty simple. You'll need the fan clutch removal tools if the clutch is stuck on hard. Remember that it's left-hand threaded!! The rest is straightforward. Drain the coolant from the block-spill plug. I say spill plug because it never just drains, it spills everywhere. Wear eye protection and get a large tub to catch most of the coolant. Refill with distilled water and BMW coolant.

You may want to replace the belts at this time, too. You have to remove the main (fan) belt at this time, so removal of the other two isn't that involved. I usually go to the local import parts store (check your Yellow pages). It helps to have the old ones, because some of the catalog numbers are wrong. The A/C belt, for example, will probably be too short, and the fan belt may be too long.

Good Luck!
James
james_535@yahoo.com
88 M5
88 M3
83 535i

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