F8X S55 owners BEWARE!!!!

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Just speculation (actually its based on another water-to-air system from another platform, but the science and simplicity is the same..., found out the issue through luck)

The unit will leak at its weakest point, this isn't due to actual turbo boost pressure, but pressure within the water loop itself after the coolant pump shuts off, which creates that pressure. You could simply just create an overflow line by drilling the top-most side of the tank (or cap) and run a line 3-4" long, which would allow fluids to spill over after the pump shuts off. Once the pump triggers on, the fluid in that line will be sucked back into the loop via vacuum created in the system.

Cheap and simple, and would avoid risking aftermarket solutions, which apparently are utilizing bar-n-plate coolers, which means there is less surface area to cool the intake charge....

Can you or someone else who's done this put up some pics if possible? Sounds like an easy fix! Thanks!

[drewwdrew]

just a reminder - if your coolant reservoir is empty, don't automatically assume it's the charge cooler leaking into the intake manifold. take a minute and closely inspect your heat exchanger.

mine emptied out a couple weeks back and just installed new chargepipes, IC, spark plugs, and j pipe this weekend thinking my IC took a dump. ended up being a nasty nail that took out my heat exchanger. i inspected my HE, but didn't notice any damage prior to ordering parts. apparently i just didn't look hard enough.

happy i changed the CPs and IC already since they're known weak links on the F8x.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by F82Vanja

My car is currently at the dealer being diagnosed and I am suspecting a leaking charge cooler. For those of you that had to pay out of pocket, how much was it?

I am at 53K miles and was wondering about my chances having BMW NA potentially goodwill the repair or a even just portion?

Thanks!

What happened with that?

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by F82Vanja

My car is currently at the dealer being diagnosed and I am suspecting a leaking charge cooler. For those of you that had to pay out of pocket, how much was it?

Just had mine done under warranty, the total was $1,716 for parts and labor. Parts were a little over $900.

If BMW doesn't cover it for you, time to get an aftermarket one.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by DumbAS55

Just had mine done under warranty, the total was $1,716 for parts and labor. Parts were a little over $900.

If BMW doesn't cover it for you, time to get an aftermarket one.

Out of curiosity, what did they do other than replace the cooler and provide you with new coolant/anti-freeze for the system? Did they do any type of internal engine/intake cleaning?

If all they did was replace the cooler and then re-fill the system, the clear answer for anyone out of warranty is to go to an indy shop. Or just DIY since there is a lot of DIY info on the interweb, including videos, where people have replaced the cooler. Then follow it up with an internal chemical cleaning with a product like CRC GDI Intake Valve & Turbo Cleaner to remove any residual, dried coolant in the intake tract downstream of the cooler.

[papasmurf_m3]

I posted this in general forum too. Can anyone help?


So, I was walking up to my car one morning and noticed a tiny green droplet of coolant on my exhaust tip. On the inner lip of MPE. I keep the tips very clean so I do notice those things.

I started the car a few times, took it on a few drives, and I always touch the intercooler when idling because it's pretty cool that it stays cold. That was until the last drive. I touched the intercooler and it didn't feel ice cold as it usually does. Kinda warm. I checked my intercooler fluid reservoir tank and it was low. I had to add about 2 full cups of coolant/distilled water mix to get it to full about 28-32 oz I'd say.

I took the car into the BMW dealer I go to a few days before my warranty expired. Talked to my SA.

The dealer did a pressure test overnight and found no leaks. They are saying it's fine and ready to pickup? :

I would hate to take it now out of warranty and have it leak again and then have to pay an out of pocket expense.

The thing I don't get is, I had to add coolant into the reservoir. I thought It was sealed. It should never consume fluid, unless there is a leak. How can it be fine? I'm not sure if it leaks under vacuum or under boost.


What should I do next?

1. Pickup my car, the pressure test is thorough. Maybe, I was mistaken on how much fluid there was to begin with when I bought the car.

2. Ask them to remove the intake manifold to physically check for leaks. Doubt they will just do that, especially during COVID-19 set backs. Especially if the pressure test came out saying there are no leaks.

3. Call BMW North America and make a stink? I probably wont be able to go back to the same dealer again. They will probably hate me.

4. ????

[MR RIZK]

papasmurf_m3 make sure you have the issue noted on the record and a follow up email stating that you have experienced multiple times a loss of fluid. Just a nice email to cover your ass.

[papasmurf_m3]

I’ve done that with photos also.

[chrisl91]

I got the error code that the intercooler reservoir was dry. I filled it and drove around for the day. Checked it the next day and it was empty again. There were no drips under the car and no signs of coolant anywhere in the engine bay. I Googled the issue and came across this thread - and PANICKED.

Today I pulled the intercooler off to inspect it and it was dry as a bone with no signs of coolant anywhere. WHEW!

So I filled it again and just let the car run in my garage. Turns out it was a leak in the front radiator from some rock damage. You might be saying I should have done this in the beginning but I was too paranoid about getting coolant in the motor.

Moral of the story is don't immediately order a new intercooler (which I almost did yesterday) until you diagnose the issue.

[///BMW Junkie]

Originally Posted by chrisl91

I got the error code that the intercooler reservoir was dry. I filled it and drove around for the day. Checked it the next day and it was empty again. There were no drips under the car and no signs of coolant anywhere in the engine bay. I Googled the issue and came across this thread - and PANICKED.

Today I pulled the intercooler off to inspect it and it was dry as a bone with no signs of coolant anywhere. WHEW!

So I filled it again and just let the car run in my garage. Turns out it was a leak in the front radiator from some rock damage. You might be saying I should have done this in the beginning but I was too paranoid about getting coolant in the motor.

Moral of the story is don't immediately order a new intercooler (which I almost did yesterday) until you diagnose the issue.

Did you have take off the bumper the check the radiator?

[chrisl91]

Originally Posted by F82Vanja

Did you have take off the bumper the check the radiator?

No because you can look through the grilles and see almost the entire front radiator. I will have to remove it to replace the radiator though. But its pretty easy.

[icebiker]

Originally Posted by chrisl91

There were no drips under the car....
....Turns out it was a leak in the front radiator from some rock damage.

Thanks for the update. Glad you identified the issue. However, just curious...if the radiator had a leak, the coolant would have to have gone somewhere and why wouldn't it have then appeared on the ground in the vicinity of the radiator?

[chrisl91]

Originally Posted by icebiker

Thanks for the update. Glad you identified the issue. However, just curious...if the radiator had a leak, the coolant would have to have gone somewhere and why wouldn't it have then appeared on the ground in the vicinity of the radiator?

My post definitely begged that question. I've only owned the car a month and barely driven it due to the quarantine. I didn't even realize the car had the issue when I got it because there are no warning lights on the dash when this happens. So when I filled the reservoir and drove it around, it completely drained before I got back to the house. And it only leaks when it gets up to operating temperature, not when its cold (so the hole is pretty small). So even in my garage it took a while before it started to drip.

[papasmurf_m3]

That’s interesting, for me I’m now seeing foam in the reservoir and I’ve filled 3
Times. But weird thing is still no check lights or warning lights. I posted on
The f8x Facebook group also.

Can anyone in SoCal rhat has gotten the intercooler replaced under warranty tell me
Which one and name of Servoce advisor would be even. Better!

I need
To take my
Car tomorrow!

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

That’s interesting, for me I’m now seeing foam in the reservoir and I’ve filled 3
Times. But weird thing is still no check lights or warning lights. I posted on
The f8x Facebook group also.

Can anyone in SoCal rhat has gotten the intercooler replaced under warranty tell me
Which one and name of Servoce advisor would be even. Better!

I need
To take my
Car tomorrow!

When it happened to me the only warning light I got was a low coolant warning. The dealer topped it off and never got a warning ever again. When this thread popped up almost a year later, I checked my reservoir and it was empty...who knows how long I was driving like that.

[JayKno]

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

That’s interesting, for me I’m now seeing foam in the reservoir and I’ve filled 3
Times. But weird thing is still no check lights or warning lights. I posted on
The f8x Facebook group also.

Can anyone in SoCal rhat has gotten the intercooler replaced under warranty tell me
Which one and name of Servoce advisor would be even. Better!

I need
To take my
Car tomorrow!

Hey man, I just had mine replaced under warranty, and they knew my car was tuned since they just denied my spun crank hub repair and my car was flagged. Any dealer should replace it no questions asked, its a "known issue" according to my SA.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by damageprone

When it happened to me the only warning light I got was a low coolant warning. The dealer topped it off and never got a warning ever again. When this thread popped up almost a year later, I checked my reservoir and it was empty...who knows how long I was driving like that.

That’s what I’m
Saying. I’ve added 34 ozs of coolant/distilled water like 3 times now. Not getting any low coolant lights nothing. Taking my car in tormorrow
I just want this fixed.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by JayKno

Hey man, I just had mine replaced under warranty, and they knew my car was tuned since they just denied my spun crank hub repair and my car was flagged. Any dealer should replace it no questions asked, its a "known issue" according to my SA.

Thanks buddy 🙏 GL with your car 🚙

[Fugly M3]

Any updates on the reliability of the replacement units we've received? I got mine around 23k miles...should I expect one more freebie before warranty is out?

[THEROK]

I had my charge cooler replaced over a year ago.

I just started noticing this white residue on a section at the seam.

Anyone else seeing something similar and had their charge cooler expansion tank replaced as well? Thanks.

[Groganrocket]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I had my charge cooler replaced over a year ago.

I just started noticing this white residue on a section at the seam.

Anyone else seeing something similar and had their charge cooler expansion tank replaced as well? Thanks.

Probably starting to leak or it’s residue from spilled coolant possibly.

[TexasF80]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I had my charge cooler replaced over a year ago.

I just started noticing this white residue on a section at the seam.

Anyone else seeing something similar and had their charge cooler expansion tank replaced as well? Thanks.

Originally Posted by THEROK

I had my charge cooler replaced over a year ago.

I just started noticing this white residue on a section at the seam.

Anyone else seeing something similar and had their charge cooler expansion tank replaced as well? Thanks.

Yup, mine looked like that and took it into the dealer last week. They found it was leaking and replaced it.