07-11-2019, 10:36 AM | #1 |
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M3 expansion tank - Is this normal?
I've noticed dried coolant around what appears to be seams of the expansion tank. I'm assuming the tank is solid one oiece type, but from photos it appears as if it's wheeeping at it's seams?
Anyone else have a similar looking situation? 2016 M3 41,000 miles Thx |
07-11-2019, 12:36 PM | #2 |
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Its a sealed two-piece. Had the same problem. Easy to replace.
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1552533
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07-11-2019, 01:24 PM | #3 |
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Now you've got me paranoid sitting here at work. 2016 with 46k miles.
Edit: Looks like I'm safe for now.
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Last edited by mephiska; 07-11-2019 at 01:51 PM.. |
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07-11-2019, 01:39 PM | #4 |
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Have seen that issue once before at our shop. Car was out of warranty and it was a 2015.
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07-11-2019, 05:12 PM | #6 |
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I just changed mine last week. After driving the car for a while you can see the tank hissing and coolant seeping out from the edges. It's all from the pressure in the system. You should swap it out before it gets worse.
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07-11-2019, 05:17 PM | #7 |
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BMW still can't figure out how to make a proper coolant reservoir after decades of failures.
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07-12-2019, 12:56 PM | #8 |
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07-16-2019, 11:34 AM | #9 |
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Update: I really need to switch dealerships while this M3 is under warranty. I'm having a hard time trying to convince these service advisors that this is an issue on my car. Before I look for another BMW shop, can anyone post a few more pictures of normal ET tanks that are not weeping at the seams? The next closest dealership is 1 1/2 hours away and I'd like to make them fix it.
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07-23-2019, 10:11 PM | #10 |
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I went to a second BMW dealeship and had the car pressure tested a second time and no leaks detected so no repair needed. I guess I'll keep an eye on the tank.
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07-28-2019, 11:30 AM | #12 |
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Actually from what I researched, not many. I spoke with several techs at different BMW dealerships and posed that very same question. They all said that even the early model M3's that have been cycled through with high mileage are not showing any issues.
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07-29-2019, 04:05 PM | #13 |
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Final update issue resolved. After driving around some more and seeing an increase in coolant spewing, I finally convinced my local service department that I have a bad tank and had it replaced today by the dealer. The tech who did the work has seen some tanks completly ruptue so if you see any residual dried coolant along the seams get the tank replaced.
I also asked about the pressurization check on the system. The procedure is to pressurize the entire cooling system to 2 bar which is the rating for the cap. Most of the time when the tech discovered a leaks in a system it would only hold 1 or 1.5 bar. In my case the system was passing the test, but somehow managed to relieve pressure through a micro crack or split in the seam as evidenced by the mess on the rear of the firewall area. Case closed. Bill Last edited by N55Msport; 07-29-2019 at 04:07 PM.. Reason: typo |
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12-13-2019, 10:28 AM | #14 |
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So I know this thread is old, but I figured I would add another data point for the sake of others.... My expansion tank looked exactly like the OP's tank with dried coolant residue at the seems. It took a little pressure on the dealer to get a warranty replacement tank since my car also passed the pressure test. Fortunately, I did not have to wait for the seem to start "spewing" in order to get the repair done. Basically, my dealer went to bat for me as BMW NA originally wanted to deny it since my car passed the pressure test.
Just had the job done at 45k miles. 2017 M3 with a Nov 2016 build date, purchased in Dec 2016. So I think the moral of the story is for S55 owners to begin monitoring their expansion tank at least by the 40k mile mark. At least the tank is not that expensive or difficult to replace should a DIY be necessary if outside of warranty.
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12-14-2019, 07:50 PM | #15 |
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Comical and sad for BMW service to not replace these straight away on visual inspection for those under factory warranty. Mine looked exactly like the ones shared here and noticed coolant loss over time.
I'm vigilant about keeping an eye on coolant levels in both the expansion tank and charge cooler. It's critical to keeping the S55 performing at its best. Heat is enemy #1.
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12-14-2019, 09:25 PM | #16 | |
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12-14-2019, 10:56 PM | #17 |
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From the research I did on this, on a cool engine coolant should be touching the bottom of the yellow disk.
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12-15-2019, 06:27 PM | #18 | |
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It is tough to see so I usually end up taking a few photos until I get one that shows the level clearly to my satisfaction.
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12-15-2019, 06:52 PM | #19 |
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Wow, you guys must be pretty short if you can't see the level of the charge cooler expansion tank..... But one other thing to remember is that when the car is at "cold iron" the coolant level should be at the very bottom of the yellow measuring device. This way there is the max amount of room for the coolant to expand during normal operation. If you add coolant to the high end of the band with the car cold, you will most likely have some coolant vent out of the tank. Same principle goes for the engine coolant expansion tank as well....
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12-15-2019, 10:32 PM | #20 | |
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12-16-2019, 06:21 AM | #21 | ||
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12-16-2019, 08:22 AM | #22 | |
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Ill try to "bend over" and take a look; I'm more legs than torso. This post was questionable so I will say it...no homo. |
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