DIY: Coolant Leak Repair ( Cap w Seal and Expanding Coolant Pipe) w Pics

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to Brown370 and other contributors. I haven't had tis problem just yet but I feel so much better regarding the availability of support you guys provide in this online community. So thank you sirs and we certainly appreciate all your help and efforts

nice work, bookmarked for the future

Great write up. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I only have 42,000 on mine with minor issues but I am sure that the problems are going to start soon.

Any one in Houston, shoot me an email if you want a pro to the job for you, Im a BMW master tech.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Bimmer App

wow..... OP, that is a seriously great write up!!! totally amazed.... if we have any customers that bought the pipe from us and are near you, I'll send them your way !!

PS* If Yorgi is impressed... its a job well done!

Update to the DIY: Today I completed another expanding coolant pipe job. When I finished the job, I got a check engine light and increased emissions message, and after scanning the OBD on the car. I had a code for misfire on cylinder #8. I took the intake manifold back off to see if something got in between the gasket. While taking the fuel rail off, I found a O-ring missing on the # 8 cylinder. I replaced to O-ring, put the intake manifold back on and problem solved. One more thing to check before you put everything back together if you choose to remove the fuel rail. Hope this helps.

I have done this job 7 times on 545s, 645s and 745s. This was the first time I ran into this problem so, I thought I would post it to help some out.

Excellent write-up! Some of us that don't have this problem pray that we never will have to do this, otherwise, this will be very handy and save us some $$$$.

Originally Posted by brown370

Update to the DIY: Today I completed another expanding coolant pipe job. When I finished the job, I got a check engine light and increased emissions message, and after scanning the OBD on the car. I had a code for misfire on cylinder #8. I took the intake manifold back off to see if something got in between the gasket. While taking the fuel rail off, I found a O-ring missing on the # 8 cylinder. I replaced to O-ring, put the intake manifold back on and problem solved. One more thing to check before you put everything back together if you choose to remove the fuel rail. Hope this helps.

I have done this job 7 times on 545s, 645s and 745s. This was the first time I ran into this problem so, I thought I would post it to help some out.

Thanks for adding this. I'm overseas but my home is in Columbus, Ga.....right down the road from you. If I wait to do this stateside i'll send you some more business with my car.


All time best DIY write-up I have seen.

Thanks!

l just returned from Afghanistan myself Dec 26, 2012. I am a aircraft mechanic too!

I have worked at several Auto Craft Garages on Air Force Bases and I have 20 years experience working on many different cars mostly German and Japanese.

I can do majority of work on BMW cars (brakes, belts, plugs, valve covers, plugs etc.... I just don't have the capability to perform programming. I charge $950 labor to do the job. Parts are $600-1000 depending on which pipe you use. I am starting to see all kinds of pipes popping up on eBay from $200-650. Though everyone, who I have performed the job for, opted for the All German Auto Pipe.

If you buy new belts and a water pump , I will replace them with new ones since they have to come off to do the pipe job.

What's funny is i did one for my BMW service advisor's friend. He did not want his buddy to pay the crazy price and he called me and ask me to do it for him

Just give me a call when you return and I will be happy to knock it out for you. Take care over there!

Originally Posted by brown370

Thanks!

l just returned from Afghanistan myself Dec 26, 2012. I am a aircraft mechanic too!

I have worked at several Auto Craft Garages on Air Force Bases and I have 20 years experience working on many different cars mostly German and Japanese.

I can do majority of work on BMW cars (brakes, belts, plugs, valve covers, plugs etc.... I just don't have the capability to perform programming. I charge $950 labor to do the job. Parts are $600-1000 depending on which pipe you use. I am starting to see all kinds of pipes popping up on eBay from $200-650. Though everyone, who I have performed the job for, opted for the All German Auto Pipe.

If you buy new belts and a water pump , I will replace them with new ones since they have to come off to do the pipe job.

What's funny is i did one for my BMW service advisor's friend. He did not want his buddy to pay the crazy price and he called me and ask me to do it for him

Just give me a call when you return and I will be happy to knock it out for you. Take care over there!

Nice.....I'm prior Air Force. I worked with the U-2 and the high Altitude Pressure suit when I was in. I am in Cambodia now working with the State Department. Plan was to come back this summer but I think I am going to extend here. It is CRAZY boring but the money is too good to let go right now.

I was a Contractor in Iraq for 7 years but I refused to go to Afghanistan....LOL

Glad you made it home safe.




How do you like that VW CC...???

Trust me, you made the right decision not to come to the Stan'. lol

Hey Bimmer family,

My bimmer is idling real rough when I first start it. What do you think is the problem?

Sweet DIY I might be applying this soon, I hope not but my 650 just hit 125K today!!

Thanks for this helpfull and well made DIY.

I live in France, I have a 80000km 645CI (50000 miles), and the problem occured very quickly.
I will try to do the job soon with your manual, I hope it will works

Job has been done !
I followed it except some things :

I didn't removed throttle body, Y small coolant pipes (p20) and Y vent pipe (p21)

I also didn't changed any parts, cause no one has been broken. (my car was only 50kmiles)


Thanks again !!

No problem, I am glad I could help save you some money.

Originally Posted by KWILLIAMSEDU

My bimmer is idling real rough when I first start it. What do you think is the problem?

Well it's prolly not related to this weephole leak topic, but check these two N62 rough idle related treads:

÷ http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-tapping-noise
÷ http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...cold-days.html

Quick question Brown,

Did you place the vehicle in "service mode" before removing the servos?

The service manual says to place the servo motor in "service mode" or risk damage to valve train.

Thanks again for the DIY...

No, and I have done quite a few of these jobs without any problems.

Update:
Guys I know i used the AGA expanding pipe in my write-up, but now there are many pipes out now starting at about $200 compared to the $600 AGA pipe. ECS tuning just started carrying this one for $229
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E63-645...011_2012_2013/