Sudden loss of coolant, where to start ??

[318is in oz]

Hi,

I would basically like to know where to start looking for the problem, i have read about the dreaded profile gasket and am hoping that it is not the problem..

The stats on my car are 91 318is e30 m42 ,245 K's, owned for 1 year. service book is a bit vague so not sure what has been done exactly. Replaced engine oil and spark plugs a week ago. Car was basically running fine.

i noticed the problem when i stopped the car after driving for 5 minutes or so. Problem appeared as steam from under bonnet, engine temp slightly hotter than normal ,noticed what appeares as water under pressure coming from the rear of engine near the head. it quickly stopped as engine cooled down (about 45 seconds). The liquid lookes to me like engine coolant but it does have a slightly oily feel to it .. but that could be the coolant..

I don't have a manual so am not sure what all the hoses are at the rear of the engine.

Any help in diagnosing this problem would be much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Big Daddy]

Sounds like a head gasket. The profile gasket is at the front of the engine if I am not mistaken. Either way it is serioous enough that you should discontinue driving the car until fixed. The oily feel and location of the leak is what causes me to believe it is a head gasket.

 

[318is in oz]

Hi,

Wow that was a super quick reply..... thanks Is there any easy way to check this?? Would it be a particularly bad thing to start the car and wait for the leak to appear again to see exactly where it is coming from ? Could it be a heater hose or something as easy as that?

Cheers

 

[epj3]

Well, it is right around lunch time in most of our area's

 

[Big Daddy]

I am not sure about a heater hose on the back side of the M42 motor, the thing that makes me think head gasket is the oil feel. Are you sure it is not just your coolant as it does have some oily properties? If it is a flow of coolant, like a hose on it may well be a hose as the head gasket should seep or mist the coolant out. Can you get an inspection mirror back there? I sold my 91 318is last year so I cannot go look myself. Anyone else?

 

[318is in oz]

Yep i will have a look with a mirror. thanks for your help.

Cheers

 

[318is in oz]

Found the problem.. the connection for the bottom heater hose on the block had blown a small hole in it near the base. I have repaired it by inserting a piece of copper tubing into the outlet then using some liquid metal to fill the hole..looks like it will hold..fingers crossed.

cheers

 

[Big Daddy]

Thanks for updating. Sounds like I was way off and either way it was the lesser of two evils.

 

[403forbidden]

I had the same problem in a VW, so I might not be of any help. But after I replaced the water pump, all was fine. So you might want to check that out.