Antifreeze leak

W

wantingasy

Active member
This might sound dumb, but since I'm new to these vehicles bare with me. I'm not quite sure how the intercooler setup on these vehicles work :oops: But my car keeps leaking antifreeze and the intercooler antifreeze level keeps getting lower and lower, so I narrowed it down to that. The radiator is staying full. So my questions are: how do these intercooler setups work? and Where are the possible antifreeze leaks from the intercooler? Thanks
 
QUICK STORM

QUICK STORM

B.A.M.F. BMW Tech
Re: Antifreeze leak

the intercooler has plumbing lines that are on the back of the upper core that run down to the lower CCHE. heres a guide that shows the standard procedure on eliminating those hard lines and replacing them with heater hose. check to make sure the upper intercooler isn't leaking into the throttle body. most people also upgrade their inetrcooler pumps as well.
 
Bill Z

Bill Z

Donating Member
Re: Antifreeze leak

As you know, the two systems are independent of each other (with the exception of the overflow bottle). The way the lines are routed, sometimes, causes leeks due to rubbing of things. You can pressurize the IC system just like you can the radiator system. Pressurizing it should help you find the leek.

Hope this helps.
 
Jimmy

Jimmy

Banned
Re: Antifreeze leak

First place I would look is the IC cap.If the rubber seal is worn out,it will let the fluid leak out of the overflow vent tube.

Is your engine coolant reservoir getting fuller?
 
W

wantingasy

Active member
Re: Antifreeze leak

No, it's not that leaking....After work today I checked the ground and there was no antifreeze!!!!!!! Instead, there was like 2 drops of oil!!!! LOL.....front drivers side of the car though, so I'm thinking its the o-ring on the oil filter
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Antifreeze leak

Seems to me that an upper IC leak would cause white smoke. If the truck is stock then the IC pump doesn't run until the (rad) water temp is, what, 200 or something. As mentioned do a pressure test and check the cap.

The oil filter may not be leaking. Remove the air filter for better access and check that you don't have a small puddle of oil under the filter from when it was changed. It can get very messy down there because there is no "drain" for what spills when the filter is removed.
 
W

wantingasy

Active member
Re: Antifreeze leak

I think the oil is coming from the fitting of one of these two hoses....
100_0132.jpg


Do I have to replace the whole line or just the end fitting?
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Antifreeze leak

From the photo it almost doesn't look like the line is leaking. Before tearing everything apart I'd clean everything at car wash using their pressure washer then make sure you can actually see the leak. If you're gonna go to the trouble of removing these lines then replace the entire hose. I believe the assembly is avail from GM. If not, I would think any good hyd shop would be able to replace the hoses using your lines.:2cents:
 
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