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Coolant drop

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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MarkX50
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Coolant drop

Post by MarkX50 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:20 pm

So I had my Coolant flushed as I want sure what the previous owner was using. It’s been about 4 weeks and the low notification popped up. Have just topped it up, but if it keeps happening does anyone know what it could be? Cheers as always!
Mark

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X5Sport
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Re: Coolant drop

Post by X5Sport » Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:39 pm

Check the pressure cap seal.
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marti
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Re: Coolant drop

Post by marti » Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:43 pm

Maybe some air was still in the system after the flush....but as said above check the seal....

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Re: Coolant drop

Post by MarkX50 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:10 pm

Great. Just to check, I assume that’s as simple as making sure the coolant cap is screwed on tight?

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Re: Coolant drop

Post by X5Sport » Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:10 pm

Correct. It’s a sealed, pressurised system so if the seal isn’t holding (cracked, aged, not fit for use any more) it will allow the system to lose fluid through steam. It will be a slow loss as you have found which is why I think the seal is the first checkpoint. It’s usually summat simple and easy to fix.

If it isn't that, and isn’t settling after flushing, then you’re into leak hunting in the hoses etc. If the oil cap is clean that means the engine is sound so the leak is elsewhere.
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henrym3
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Re: Coolant drop

Post by henrym3 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:25 pm

Usually leaves a stain/run mark where it’s leaking from, usually one of the coolant pipes or coolant pump or temperature sensor on lower radiator hose or aux water pump under power steering reservoir or or or good luck, these things run at stupid pressures.

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Re: Coolant drop

Post by MarkX50 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:28 pm

Really appreciate your answer. I’m not that technical, but I am sure even I can see if then rubbers perished! If not it will be back to garage to do a deeper investigation.

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Re: Coolant drop

Post by MarkX50 » Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:11 pm

So the cap looks okay to me (not an expert), but there was a pressure release when I undid it so that I assume is a good thing.

Regarding the level, the garage topped it up last week but I didn’t seen how high it was, but it’s now this high (see attached).. does this looks “high” / “normal”?

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Re: Coolant drop

Post by henrym3 » Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:20 pm

To me that’s ok, if I top mine up any more than that it dumps it back to that level, an indie once said to me "if you can see coolant in there and the low level light isn’t on then leave it alone. The military vehicles used to dump 4/5 ltrs out as soon as they were plonked in the desert. Rule of thumb was to let them find their own level.

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Alan Gunn
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Re: Coolant drop

Post by Alan Gunn » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:53 pm

As long as that pop's up ie floating you have enough in it.

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