I knew I shouldn't have been low on coolant!

I am jealous of your M54 and it's cheap and easy to replace water pump.

However, don't guess. Do you have a coolant pressure tester? A forum member on the E60 subforum recommended one to me when I was having trouble identifying a coolant leak. This is the one I got. I can't get over how useful it's been. I've used it a ton and don't know how I lived without it. It's great after doing coolig system overhauls to identify any leaks before filling the system up.

applehugger said:

I am jealous of your M54 and it's cheap and easy to replace water pump.

However, don't guess. Do you have a coolant pressure tester? A forum member on the E60 subforum recommended one to me when I was having trouble identifying a coolant leak. This is the one I got. I can't get over how useful it's been. I've used it a ton and don't know how I lived without it. It's great after doing coolig system overhauls to identify any leaks before filling the system up.

Click to expand...

Good deal Apple hugger!
Yeah...I discovered the spot at the end of the day (im routinely watching the ground underneath the car for leaks.) At 226K every BMW owner should.
I could be wrong tho....ill find out tomorrow...the pressure tester no i don't have.. However, I do know at the az or aa the pressure tester (like the one you 0suggested) is apart of the loaner tools listed.. its a good program ive used last summer for the AC...the evac pump...got to plopp down couple hundred bucks but you get the $$ back when you return the equipment.
Its just too reminiscent of the 05 waterpump leak almost a year to the date a year ago.
And remember the $200+ water pump is an up grade, more refined...that goes also for the deleted dip stick all in the name of "progress"!

Yes, I'm sure you can rent one but I have used mine wayyy more than I thought I would and there are no auto parts stores close to me so renting tools is annoying.

The cost of the $300+(!) water pump is annoying but the 3+ hours it takes to replace is more annoying. I don't mind the lack of dipstick though. BMW's integration is a million times better than the way Mercedes did things. You had to wait 20 minutes after the car was turned off and have it parked on a level surface before it would allow you to check the oil. Made oil changes a huge PITA. I do like the Valvetronic system and increased power, so there are some pros to the N52, but given the choice, I'd go with the M54 every time.

Oh yeah, that M52...I see them in the boneyard everyday I visit. And I read about them here daily,,, very popular car/engine.

I did test drive a 3.0si N52 before the M54 and probably the only reason I didn't go with the N52 was while the car seemed mechanically okay, it was super scratched (like drove through a mile of prickers scratched up) and the seller gave used car salesman vibes, did not like. Liked very much how it drove though, then again I love almost every straight six.

Good luck with the coolant leak, I feel like now that I read about it mine will start leaking too...lol.

shameshame1 said:

I did test drive a 3.0si N52 before the M54 and probably the only reason I didn't go with the N52 was while the car seemed mechanically okay, it was super scratched (like drove through a mile of prickers scratched up) and the seller gave used car salesman vibes, did not like. Liked very much how it drove though, then again I love almost every straight six.

Good luck with the coolant leak, I feel like now that I read about it mine will start leaking too...lol.

Click to expand...

Nooooo! How many miles on the clock? I've never changed the WP on this one.
Cheers!

BimmurBrothor said:

Nooooo! How many miles on the clock? I've never changed the WP on this one.
Cheers!

Click to expand...

145k

applehugger said:

However, don't guess. Do you have a coolant pressure tester? A forum member on the E60 subforum recommended one to me when I was having trouble identifying a coolant leak. This is the one I got. I can't get over how useful it's been. I've used it a ton and don't know how I lived without it. It's great after doing coolig system overhauls to identify any leaks before filling the system up.

Click to expand...

I second this. A great tool to have. Made it so easy to find my leak, which ended up being the temp sensor o-ring on the top side of the bottom hose.

For those who already own an air compressor, you can get an old cap and install an air fitting (drill a hole in the cap first) to be used with air compressor.

Just keep air pressure low at 10-12 psi during testing...

I'm a sucker for ingenuity

The nice thing about the coolant pressure tester kits is that they have fittings for just about every cooling system known to man. I like the old radiator cap and air compressor solution, but that will only work for BMWs that share that specific radiator cap. I was able to use my kit on my Volvo, my sister's Hyundai, etc. So that's just something to keep in mind as having a kit that has fittings for almost every car out there is very useful if you work on other people's cars/own more than just BMWs.