Coolant Leak

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by LAKERS333

This won't be handled under warranty for the OP and many others if tuned. This was the case for me anyways where warranty was voided. If paying out of pocket it might be a good time to just upgrade to CSF intercooler.

I was considering the CSF but $2k is way too much for me especially since OEM is $600. Hopefully I don't have to replace the OEM intercooler 4 times lol.

Is there a performance benefit with the CSF?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

I was considering the CSF but $2k is way too much for me especially since OEM is $600. Hopefully I don't have to replace the OEM intercooler 4 times lol

OEM is fine. There's still no supporting data that 3rd party coolers offer any additional benefit, especially on a street car.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

OEM is fine. There's still no supporting data that 3rd party coolers offer any additional benefit, especially on a street car.

[LAKERS333]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

I was considering the CSF but $2k is way too much for me especially since OEM is $600. Hopefully I don't have to replace the OEM intercooler 4 times lol.

Is there a performance benefit with the CSF?

There has to be some benefit with a 60% larger capacity than stock, might not be much but with the addition of a piece of mind it was worth it for me.

You also have to think about the labor and things like that that is involved and downtime for the the car, but good luck hopefully the stock one wont ever need to be replaced again.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by LAKERS333

There has to be some benefit with a 60% larger capacity than stock, might not be much but with the addition of a piece of mind it was worth it for me.

You also have to think about the labor and things like that that is involved and downtime for the the car, but good luck hopefully the stock one wont ever need to be replaced again.

Perceived need is what drives marketing.

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

I already ordered the intercooler and I'm going to check the pipe today. This sucks because I've been driving for weeks now with this issue and just topped off every other day. I never got any codes and initially noticed it when I happened to checked coolant. God knows how long this has been happening.

Getting back on topic. If the IC reservoir is left empty over time you will eventually get a Drivetrane Malfunction warning usually at startup. The error code will be:
20A201 - Charge air cooling system: Protection function Coolant pump active due to dry running

The fact that you were checking and topping off when low is probably the reason you have not gotten the warning. If a good amount of coolant is being introduced into the intake, the car will eventually misfire and drive like crap.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

Getting back on topic. If the IC reservoir is left empty over time you will eventually get a Drivetrane Malfunction warning usually at startup. The error code will be:
20A201 - Charge air cooling system: Protection function Coolant pump active due to dry running

The fact that you were checking and topping off when low is probably the reason you have not gotten the warning. If a good amount of coolant is being introduced into the intake, the car will eventually misfire and drive like crap.

It's sucks because I ordered through ecs tuning and it was supposed to ship today. Now I got email saying it's delayed and will ship nov 15th. I have to see if I can find it from somewhere else

[LAKERS333]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

It's sucks because I ordered through ecs tuning and it was supposed to ship today. Now I got email saying it's delayed and will ship nov 15th. I have to see if I can find it from somewhere else

I initially ordered a stock one although I found it that no one in the country carried the intercooler, and would have had to wait 2 weeks (possibly more) more for delivery. Hence another reason I went with the CSF one, took 2 days for delivery. I would call ECS and see if this is the same situation for you, its likely that its coming from Germany.

[Fast4d]

at least your intake valves got cleaned!!!

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by Fast4d

at least your intake valves got cleaned!!!

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by LAKERS333

I initially ordered a stock one although I found it that no one in the country carried the intercooler, and would have had to wait 2 weeks (possibly more) more for delivery. Hence another reason I went with the CSF one, took 2 days for delivery. I would call ECS and see if this is the same situation for you, its likely that its coming from Germany.

I just called ECS and they said there's only 2 OEM intercoolers in the US and they managed to allocate one for me. Should ship sometime next week.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

Speaking of cleaning lol, Do u think I should I change my plugs now? I just replaced it about 10k miles ago

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Speaking of cleaning lol, Do u think I should I change my plugs now? I just replaced it about 10k miles ago

Cant hurt

[///F80M3]

Just replaced the intercooler. Took off the throttle body pipe and saw the leak. Cleaned the throttle body and intake lines as well. Car feels much faster now.

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Just replaced the intercooler. Took off the throttle body pipe and saw the leak. Cleaned the throttle body and intake lines as well. Car feels much faster now.

Glad you got it fixed, car feels faster cause the IC is working properly.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Also having coolant leak issues. Took the car in earlier this week for break in service. Drove to SoCal for Thanksgiving the next day and about 1/2 the way there the low coolant warning came up. Checked the levels and intercooler is fine, but reservoir for the engine coolant is way below minimum fill mark. Thought it was odd, it being a new-ish car, never checked the coolant level so thought it could have been low already for some reason. Added coolant to max fill line and the error code goes away.

Comes back on about 100 miles later - re-check levels and below minimum again. Dripping small amount of coolant from front passenger side and you can see some dried coolant on various spots of the pan below the engine. Temps were normal the entire time. Topped off again and got to my destination. Drove short distances locally and kept an eye out for drops of coolant on the ground and checked the reservoir levels. No leaking since and levels seem stable - drove back today but took it a bit easier on average top speed and getting on the throttle when passing - no issues.

Taking back to the dealer tomorrow to trouble shoot

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Also having coolant leak issues. Took the car in earlier this week for break in service. Drove to SoCal for Thanksgiving the next day and about 1/2 the way there the low coolant warning came up. Checked the levels and intercooler is fine, but reservoir for the engine coolant is way below minimum fill mark. Thought it was odd, it being a new-ish car, never checked the coolant level so thought it could have been low already for some reason. Added coolant to max fill line and the error code goes away.

Comes back on about 100 miles later - re-check levels and below minimum again. Dripping small amount of coolant from front passenger side and you can see some dried coolant on various spots of the pan below the engine. Temps were normal the entire time. Topped off again and got to my destination. Drove short distances locally and kept an eye out for drops of coolant on the ground and checked the reservoir levels. No leaking since and levels seem stable - drove back today but took it a bit easier on average top speed and getting on the throttle when passing - no issues.

Taking back to the dealer tomorrow to trouble shoot

Keep us updated.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Will do - didn't get over to the dealer until late in the day so will be dropping off on Tuesday. Rather have it sit in my garage then out in the back if they aren't going to get to it until then.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Keep us updated.

Update - dealer pressure tested the system and traced it back to the radiator. Claiming I hit something that caused a puncture and won't be covered under warranty to the tune of $2,662.

When I brought it in for the break in service prior to this issue I got the car back with 11 miles more than I brought it in at, so asking them to explain why it was driven that far because who knows what they did to it while it was in their possession.

Also asking for pictures of the puncture - there's zero damage to the bumper and grill and I did not hear anything to indicate contact with any debris.

Pissed is an understatement

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Update #2

Lengthy conversation with the service manager on this. Explanation for the mileage during the car being in their care was to get the differential and other aspects of the car warmed up to ensure they were operating as they should. Bottom line is that damage in their care can't be ruled out.

With respect to the quoted costs, they are quoting much higher costs for the parts than I can find via several sources for OEM parts. That info has gone back to them to review and take back to the parts dept manager. Also claiming that cooling system is different for 2018 so costs are higher. Part number provided is the same as 2017 so asking for an explanation for exactly what is different for '18. Still waiting on pictures of the damage and road debris that supposedly caused it.

Also trying to diagnose possible valvetronic motor issue I noted when I dropped it off the first time.

On the upside, I've probably recouped the cost of carrying insurance for the year on my G35 as a 3rd vehicle instead of selling it.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Update #2

Lengthy conversation with the service manager on this. Explanation for the mileage during the car being in their care was to get the differential and other aspects of the car warmed up to ensure they were operating as they should. Bottom line is that damage in their care can't be ruled out.

With respect to the quoted costs, they are quoting much higher costs for the parts than I can find via several sources for OEM parts. That info has gone back to them to review and take back to the parts dept manager. Also claiming that cooling system is different for 2018 so costs are higher. Part number provided is the same as 2017 so asking for an explanation for exactly what is different for '18. Still waiting on pictures of the damage and road debris that supposedly caused it.

Also trying to diagnose possible valvetronic motor issue I noted when I dropped it off the first time.

On the upside, I've probably recouped the cost of carrying insurance for the year on my G35 as a 3rd vehicle instead of selling it.

Damn that sucks to hear. Similar thing happened to the aux oil cooler on my 435 that I'm turning in tomorrow. Some road debris caused a tiny little hole in the cooler causing an oil leak. Whole thing needed to be replaced for around $1k out of pocket.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Update - dealer pressure tested the system and traced it back to the radiator. Claiming I hit something that caused a puncture and won't be covered under warranty to the tune of $2,662.

When I brought it in for the break in service prior to this issue I got the car back with 11 miles more than I brought it in at, so asking them to explain why it was driven that far because who knows what they did to it while it was in their possession.

Also asking for pictures of the puncture - there's zero damage to the bumper and grill and I did not hear anything to indicate contact with any debris.

Pissed is an understatement

Ask them for proof and which radiator is it? I believe our cars have 7 radiators