Is this engine coolant?

Bowtie_Rider · 07-02-2013, 10:30 AM

This morning I discovered a small puddle of a blueish green fluid right under my passenger side skirt. Is it engine coolant leaking? Its dripping right under the passenger side skirt adjacent to the jack lift point. I checked the engine coolant level and its fine and the car has not given me any warning light or low coolant fluid yet. I plan on removing the skid pates this weekend if its coolant i hope i can pin point the location its leaking from.

Specs:
Bone Stock 2008 e92 N51 engine 77,000 miles.

Castle · 07-02-2013, 10:33 AM

Seems to be. That's the exact color of BMW's dilluted coolant (just like mouth wash

) .

Meeni · 07-02-2013, 10:50 AM

It looks like it.

Could also be washer fluid, if yours happen to be that particular color, but this color tint is very likely to be coolant.

Bowtie_Rider · 07-02-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castle

Seems to be. That's the exact color of BMW's dilluted coolant (just like mouth wash

) .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meeni

It looks like it.

Could also be washer fluid, if yours happen to be that particular color, but this color tint is very likely to be coolant.

I too believe it will most likely be engine coolant, i guess i just wanted to make sure. Now I only hope its not a major component and maybe a simple hose or something like that, once i remove the skid plate I should be able to pin point where its coming from.

Surly73 · 07-02-2013, 11:01 AM

As said, that location and colour could be either washer fluid or coolant. Use smell, evaporation, and checking what fluid you are now low on to narrow it down.

Chriztofor · 07-02-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surly73

As said, that location and colour could be either washer fluid or coolant. Use smell, evaporation, and checking what fluid you are now low on to narrow it down.

Agree, smell it. Also, coolant is slimy/slippery.

50shadesofhockenheim · 07-02-2013, 12:06 PM

looks like gatorade "frost" flavor

Delusive · 07-02-2013, 12:10 PM

If you experience low washer fluid warning alot then that's the washer fluid leaking, I have the same problem. You'll have to replace the little motor, easy to replace but a tedious job to get to.

F32Fleet · 07-02-2013, 12:41 PM

Washer fluid my guess.

GoRomeo · 07-02-2013, 12:45 PM

Thats most likely windshield fluid. smell it and you will find out. Coolant has a distinctive odor.

If you smell windshield fluid is smells like Windex kind of.

Efthreeoh · 07-02-2013, 02:26 PM

Based on the location of the puddle it is washer fluid. The washer fluid tank is located in the rear of the right-side front fender There is no coolant lines near that part of the car. Heater hoses are near there, but farther inboard. The coolant reservior is in the font of the wheel as is the rest of the cooling system.

raceyBMW · 07-02-2013, 09:29 PM

+1, most likely washer fluid in that location.

07-02-2013, 10:30 AM	#1
Bowtie_Rider Enlisted Member 5 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 08 328i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Downey, CA iTrader: (0)	Is this engine coolant? This morning I discovered a small puddle of a blueish green fluid right under my passenger side skirt. Is it engine coolant leaking? Its dripping right under the passenger side skirt adjacent to the jack lift point. I checked the engine coolant level and its fine and the car has not given me any warning light or low coolant fluid yet. I plan on removing the skid pates this weekend if its coolant i hope i can pin point the location its leaking from. Specs: Bone Stock 2008 e92 N51 engine 77,000 miles.
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07-02-2013, 10:33 AM	#2
Castle Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 320i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Seems to be. That's the exact color of BMW's dilluted coolant (just like mouth wash ) .
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07-02-2013, 10:50 AM	#3
Meeni Gateropode 332 Rep 2,846 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	It looks like it. Could also be washer fluid, if yours happen to be that particular color, but this color tint is very likely to be coolant.
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07-02-2013, 11:01 AM	#5
Surly73 Lieutenant Colonel 592 Rep 1,913 Posts Drives: '11 535xi 8AT KWv3 MPE MHD xHP Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (1)	As said, that location and colour could be either washer fluid or coolant. Use smell, evaporation, and checking what fluid you are now low on to narrow it down.
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07-02-2013, 12:06 PM	#7
50shadesofhockenheim Colonel 2267 Rep 2,327 Posts Drives: 2005 Toyota Prius Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: boca raton, fl iTrader: (6)	looks like gatorade "frost" flavor
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07-02-2013, 12:10 PM	#8
Delusive Lieutenant Colonel 139 Rep 1,598 Posts Drives: Bagged E92 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	If you experience low washer fluid warning alot then that's the washer fluid leaking, I have the same problem. You'll have to replace the little motor, easy to replace but a tedious job to get to. __________________ Instagram Youtube
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07-02-2013, 12:41 PM	#9
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3908 Rep 10,606 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Washer fluid my guess.
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07-02-2013, 12:45 PM	#10
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1251 Rep 4,166 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Thats most likely windshield fluid. smell it and you will find out. Coolant has a distinctive odor. If you smell windshield fluid is smells like Windex kind of.
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07-02-2013, 02:26 PM	#11
Efthreeoh General 19156 Rep 19,708 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Based on the location of the puddle it is washer fluid. The washer fluid tank is located in the rear of the right-side front fender There is no coolant lines near that part of the car. Heater hoses are near there, but farther inboard. The coolant reservior is in the font of the wheel as is the rest of the cooling system.
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07-02-2013, 09:29 PM	#12
raceyBMW king of the hills 112 Rep 2,923 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	+1, most likely washer fluid in that location.
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