bbb83 wrote

Are newer vehicles 2021 specifically prone to this issue? Does this impact the b58?

BMWX3-20 wrote

Hi - Mine is BMW X3 2019 (55K mileage). Having coolant leakage issue. Mechanic told its Thermostat and Heat management. Would like to check if these 2 are part of one unit? and is it covered by BMW std 70K miles warranty? When I called BMW, they asked me to bring the vehicle and didn't tell me. Appreciate your advise. Thanks !

QUiKSR20 wrote

Sorry im not sure on your question but please keep us posted..

I feel the 5 major leaks that cost alot are :

1 - Heat Management Module
2 - Big coolant connection under intake manifold to block
3 - Water Pump
4 - Oil Filter Housing.
5 - Radiator

Less major but also common leaks :

1 - Coolant Reservoir
2 - Small hard lines off res
3 - Turbo Coolant Return.

After $4000+ in repairs im putting my 2018 for sale as soon as its warm enough to detail it.

Let us know what the dealer says.

BMWX3-20 wrote

The BMW Indy shop identified Thermostat module to be changed and quoted 1500$ - I was ok but he sent me complete diagnostic report which has lot of yellows like Brakes, Rotors, transmission fluid , Bush ball joints and many more. I finally decided to sell this off !! It’s becoming too expensive to keep this ! Love the vehicle but somehow not working for me.
I already changed Radiator, Turbo Lines, Water pump in last one year.

admranger wrote

What's worse is the replacement parts are not great either and will not extend the time between failures (in some cases, it's worse).

Used to be you could buy "upgraded" parts to improve on the weak points in our vehicles. Not so much anymore.

homer028 wrote

I am having the same issue with the semi-annual low coolant error. I went to the dealer and they pressure-tested the system and found no leaks. I showed them the Tech bulletin regarding the smaller hose being on recall, which they obliged. I got another coolant error a few months later and I gave up. I dont see any noticeable signs of a coolant leak however I am biting the bullet and getting the aluminum oil coolant manifold and alum hose attachment replaced.

Questions - not many videos out there on doing this, however, I am already halfway there in tearing it apart. I have the computer and upper wires out of the way. My next task is to drain the fluids. Is there a drain like on the e90's on the lower side of the radiators? Do we just pull one of the lower hoses and hope it drains into the bucket?

If I open the oil filter cap, and allow the oil to drain to the bottom of the engine, how much oil can I expect to come out when I finally pull the oil cooler manifold off?

This is on the 2018 G01 with around 75k miles.

homer028 wrote

I have the B48. What a PITA! so much coolant and not much oil so far. I have the oil manifold out, and looking at it, it looks good. No serious signs of leaks or cracks. I still have the upper coolant line flange to replace.
Also wondering about the pressure filler for the coolant. Anything special about those - i.e does Harbor freight have one that works?

mct128i wrote

Vacuum coolant filler kits are readily available on Amazon - here's one that seems to have good reviews: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BW39HJS/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Harbor Freight may have something similar.

Not surprised by your PITA remark - how did you gain access to the oil filter housing? I'm contemplating this job and would appreciate any tips. Did you remove the intake manifold and intercooler?

TIA

homer028 wrote

I removed the computer and its harness. So far - I havent had to take the intake manifold off as I was able to get the oil housing off from below and above. 98% of the mess is from the coolant coming out of the trans cooling piece and the oil housing manifold. I tried to catch as much but it seems to spill down onto the cross member of the frame splashing everywhere.

I will say there is a ton more room underneath in the G01 than my F25 and E90.

If you plan to do both the oil manifold and the hose attachment, it helps to have another person spot from above to help guide your wrench on some of the bolts. Several have another head right next to the one you are trying to hit. Also, the bolts don't come out on all of them. They loosen but have a ring to keep them from coming out.

I got the aluminum manifold and hose attachment from FCP Euro. Hoping it solves my coolant warning as it is more preventative from catastrophic damage.

homer028 wrote

Whats the mileage on both? QUiKSR20 is right - I have had several older BMW's and they are high mileage cars without the care I have to give to this one. I had an old e36 that was awesome and bullet proof until a dazed kid ran a stop sign. I probably would still be driving that thing.

mct128i wrote

Wife's X3 upper radiator hose was replaced at 53 kmiles my daughter's is now at 65 kmiles and starting to leak

I'm a BMW lifer and have seen and dealt with the sh1tty plastic components for more than 30 years. IMO the material hasn't changed but the sheer number of components using this plastic has skyrocketed over the years - in addition, the modern generation of turbo engines probably generate more heat which accelerates and compounds the problem.

QUiKSR20 wrote

Just a few small changes and all these issues go away, Sucks they dont care to do it! And we thought E36s coolant systems were a pain to maintain back in the day.

Theres zero reason for all the stupid quick disconnect fittings with plastic connectors and o-rings... They look fancy and high tech but dont stand up like basic hose clamp that has no plastic and no oring to worry about.

Stuff like this almost never fails -

x3Prancer wrote

So, as seen from my previous post in the thread, the upper radiator hose connector had a leak in the area where the auxiliary host connects to it. The auxilliary hose leads to the heater core. This seems to be a common failure point. There were no other leaks that I could find. Instead of replacing the entire coolant hose, I opted to replace only the plastic connector. In order to do this, I had to purchase the entire hose, and cut off the clamp, and remove the hose from the connector. When I started to remove the auxilliary hose from the side of the main upper radiator hose connector, I couldn't. It was fused so badly I couldnt get them separated. It ended upbreaking off. Once I got the side piece off, I removed the main connector from the radiator, which wasn't so bad, just required some gentle tugging. After the connector was separated, i cut the clamp off of the main upper radiator hose, and separated the hose from the connector. Then I put the new connector in (I put a little vaseline to make it go in easier), then connected the uper radiator hose and the auxilliary hose to the connector using Koehler screw clamps. To access that area a little better, I removed the screw nearest the front of the car from the silver crash brace, and pushed that off to the side.

I had very little coolant loss. Maybe 1/2 - 3/4 of a jug, most of which was loss of coolant due to the leak from before. The resevoir was filled 3/4 of the way, and Im monioring it for a few days if it needs to get topped off.

Also one important thing I realized. Because the auxilliary hose got fused to the upper hose connector, I would have had to replace BOTH hoses completely, that would have made this job considerably more work if I replace the entire the hoses instead of just the connectors.

So far so good, the job took me in total about an hour.

Here are the parts I needed to buy:

Radiator Hoses:
64-21-9-354-459 (heater core hose for 2019 X3 sDrive)
17-12-7-535-529 (upper radiator hose for 2019 X3 sDrive)
Clamps:
Koehler Enterprises Hose Clamps, Hose Clamp Box of 10, Radiator Hose Clamp, Silver, Size SAE 20
Koehler Enterprises Hose Clamps, Hose Clamp Box of 10, Radiator Hose Clamp, Silver, Size SAE 28
BMW Coolant
Distilled water

You will need a dremel to cut the existing clamps off, a screwdriver, and pliers

Here are some pics.

Mr Fix It wrote

After a fair amount of research I order the ht12 coolant and a set of nitril metric o rings from Amazon. Long story short both leaks fixed for under $1 excluding cost of the coolant. I simply replace the o rings on both. 300 miles later it is still doing fine.