coolant leak on M42

[WHITEM42]

Hi All:
My 91 318is was parked during the winter. Whenever the temperature
drops below -25C, coolant leak from the gasket between the top and
lower timing case.
Why it leaks when the car is not running? Does it mean it need another
profile gasket? The original one was replaced about 10 years ago.
I will try to start the car ASAP to see what happen, just want to see
any expert on M42 that can provide some advise.

Thanks

[kowalski]

sounds like you've assumed the correct answer. any coolant in your oil?

do you have the correct coolant/water mixture?

[WHITEM42]

As far as I can tell, no coolant in oil and correct coolant mixture.

[kowalski]

and your sure its not leaking out of the pipe that bolts onto the front for the inlet and outlet of the water pump?

if not, then its your profile.

[raisbeck]

I'd be interested in the answer, also. Got the same car, been fighting a weird problem that I thought (and probably is) was ignition-related, but, no water in the oil, 2) plugs are shiny, and I'll be damned if I can figure where all the antifreeze I pour in it goes (no visible leaks). No drips, stains, etc.

Originally Posted by WHITEM42 Hi All: My 91 318is was parked during the winter. Whenever the temperature drops below -25C, coolant leak from the gasket between the top and lower timing case. Why it leaks when the car is not running? Does it mean it need another profile gasket? The original one was replaced about 10 years ago. I will try to start the car ASAP to see what happen, just want to see any expert on M42 that can provide some advise. Thanks

[kowalski]

Originally Posted by raisbeck I'd be interested in the answer, also. Got the same car, been fighting a weird problem that I thought (and probably is) was ignition-related, but, no water in the oil, 2) plugs are shiny, and I'll be damned if I can figure where all the antifreeze I pour in it goes (no visible leaks). No drips, stains, etc.

blowing white smoke?

or, your heater core is leaking.

[WHITEM42]

You can see the coolant marks on the side of the timing case
running down and drip on to the A/C compressor and down to
the ground.
As for white smoke, not sure for now, but no smoke before
I put the car away last summer.

[WHITEM42]

Finally the weather is warm enough to pull the car out
of storage. Start it up and no leak what so ever. Run
it for about 20 minute till the temperature warm up, still
no leak.
I will keep an eye on it, but I can tell you this car doesn't
like winter all at.

[ScottHalliday]

Originally Posted by WHITEM42 Finally the weather is warm enough to pull the car out of storage. Start it up and no leak what so ever. Run it for about 20 minute till the temperature warm up, still no leak. I will keep an eye on it, but I can tell you this car doesn't like winter all at.

Good to hear its not leaking now but sounds like your profile gasket is gonna need replacing soon. As you said, you'll need to keep an eye on it.

Originally Posted by raisbeck I'd be interested in the answer, also. Got the same car, been fighting a weird problem that I thought (and probably is) was ignition-related, but, no water in the oil, 2) plugs are shiny, and I'll be damned if I can figure where all the antifreeze I pour in it goes (no visible leaks). No drips, stains, etc.

If you're loosing coolant and not blowing it out the tailpipe in white smoke then it's leaking somewhere and as Mike mentioned, thats usually the heater core. Have you checked it for leaks?

[WHITEM42]

Where is the heater core located?
How do you check the heater core?

[ScottHalliday]

Check out the E30 Repair Manual particularly section 64 "Heating and Air Conditioning" to see where the heater core is located as well as heater core removal and installation.

Check to see if any water is leaking around the heater core and turn on the heater full blast and once its warmed up check for moisture in air.

Post back and let us know how you make out.
water leaking around the heater core or