BMWs are some of the most durable, well-made vehicles in the world. For decades, BMW has been a leading automotive manufacturer. Still, this doesn’t make the BMW an exception to natural wear and tear and potential mishaps of engine components. One issue that may arise in your BMW.
Coolant leaks can stem from a handful of problems: damaged radiator, a bad head gasket, or a weak radiator cap. As soon as you notice a coolant leak, you will want to seek professional help right away, as this can lead to very serious problems for your engine.
Coolant is essential to your vehicle’s standard functioning. This fluid, along with water, is circulated through all of the pipes in the engine to keep it cool and protect it from overheating. Below are a few reasons why this problem may emerge and symptoms to look out for.
Damaged Radiator
The radiator can be damaged due to corrosion over time or incidents such as rocks striking it while driving. It sits at the very front of your car, so it can be quite vulnerable to instances that may lead to cracks or holes in its structure. Don’t worry though, these types of damage do not happen often, though it is a good idea to have this checked during routine maintenance.
Normally, the water and coolant mixture that flows through the engine flows into the radiator to cool after being cycled through the heated engine components. If there is a hole or crack in the radiator, the coolant is unable to cycle through the engine as it is meant to and leaks out instead. This can result in your engine overheating and cause very serious problems in the future.
Bad Head Gasket
The head gasket’s role is to prevent coolant from leaking onto parts it is not meant to flow through. Problems with the head gasket will cause internal leaking of coolant, so it may not be as readily noticeable as the symptom of a damaged radiator. A head gasket can actually stem directly from overheating, which can be caused by the previous symptom, among other things.
When the head gasket has been compromised or completely failed, the coolant can flow into the crankcase or into a cylinder. When the coolant mixes with the oil in the engine, this can cause very serious issues, especially if it comes into contact with a spark plug. This is what causes the infamous white smoke to be expelled from the exhaust.
Weak Radiator Cap
When the radiator cap is not functioning properly, the coolant may be lost from the overflow tube when it is heated up. Because the radiator is a pressurized system, a loss of pressure caused by a weak cap can result in leakage. This is something that, again, can lead to very serious problems in the pressure-dependent system of your engine. So if you notice this or any of the symptoms listed here, you must contact a professional BMW mechanic as soon as possible.
Effects of Low or Leaking Coolant on Your BMW
Leaking or low levels of coolant can ultimately cause severe engine complications or even failure, primarily due to the system overheating. However, more immediate effects of a coolant leak include poor gas mileage and compromised engine oil. Fuel efficiency is substantially decreased because, as the system heats up, the engine has to work harder and strain to perform normal functions. Engine oil becomes compromised because the coolant leaks directly into the cylinders and mixes with the oil.
Schedule a Repair Today
When it comes to serious issues like a coolant leak in your BMW, you need to be able to trust an expert to care for your vehicle. At 4 Rings European Autowerx, you’ll find just that and more. With years of experience specializing in European vehicles, including BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes, you can be sure that your vehicle will leave our shop as if it were brand new.
We understand how important your BMW is to you and will provide top-quality service as if it were our own. We provide affordable options for repair, maintenance, oil change, and specialized European auto service. Our offices are located in Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Pompano Beach, and Oakland Park, FL.