Ways to Detect BMW e46 3 Series Coolant Leaks in El Camino Real Redwood City

by | Aug 11, 2019 | BMW Services

One of the most common problems with the e46 3 Series model of a BMW is coolant leaking from the expansion tank. If you own one of these manufactured between the years 1999 and 2006, this may be what you are experiencing. We are going to help you learn what the warning signs of a coolant leak are, why they happen, what happens if the leak is not fixed, and where to go to get your problem solved.

Warning Signs of a Coolant Leak

There are a few symptoms that could be indicative of a coolant leak in your BMW. Most should be easily noticeable once you know what to look for.

  • The vehicle starts to overheat. Look at your temperature gauge often to detect the trend and tell if your BMW really is overheating. You should stop driving it right away if it is. The hotter it gets, the more damage it does.
  • The coolant light comes on. This is a pretty obvious sign that your coolant is leaking. First, make sure that you had the fluid topped off recently enough. It could just be that it has been too long since you have. If you know your vehicle should not be out of coolant yet, you have a leak on your hands.
  • The coolant fluid that goes into a BMW is usually blue. If you notice blue liquid pooling underneath your car, your coolant is likely leaking. If the asphalt makes it hard to tell what color it is, look for a sweet smell. Coolant smells significantly sweeter and lighter than oil or gasoline.
  • Your car breaks down. This is a severe sign that your coolant has been leaking for too long and that you are operating the BMW on high heat. At this point, you may need extensive repairs.

Why Coolant Leaks Happen

Every symptom indicates that there is something deeper going on that you should be concerned about. The leak could be coming from a few different places for different reasons, causing reactions that have dire consequences if not treated.

  • The expansion tank of this model is made of plastic. Plastic is not the most durable material. It cracks easily compared to other expansion tanks, spilling out coolant fluid. You will need to have the entire tank replaced if this is the case.
  • The pipes connecting to your radiator can become brittle. With too much wear, less than optimal conditions, or prolonged vibrations of the car, these pipes can break. When the coolant tries to travel to the radiator, it flows through the little holes made.

What Happens When Coolant Runs Out

When you drive on low or no coolant, you will eventually damage your car severely. Prolonged overheating makes your radiator fail. It is made of aluminum, which is not much more durable than plastic. When it fails, the heat in the engine becomes unbearable, causing your BMW to break down. Sometimes, the damage will be far beyond repair. At the first signs of leakage, you should stop driving immediately and call a qualified mechanic.

Where to Get Your e46 3 Series BMW Repaired

While your general mechanic is fine for the most basic problems, they may not be up to snuff when it comes to the finer details of repairing a problem with a foreign vehicle such as yours. You need someone specialized in dealing with your brand to get it running smoothly again.

The specialists at Cerrone’s European will do the job right the first time. We pride ourselves in our expansive knowledge when it comes to European made vehicles. We are a family business with a long history dating back to 1976. We changed to accommodate all kinds of foreign vehicles with the times, so you can trust that we expanded upon our knowledge with BMW models of more recent years. We also service Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI Cooper, and Volvo vehicles.

If you are near the Redwood City, CA area, stop by and see us. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with the service and make us your go-to auto shop for any future needs.