High Temperature Coolant Reservoir Failure

[MattA]

At least my heater works now... I can't believe the dealer couldn't even figure out that the heater will not work if the hot res is empty! They kept telling me that they tested the heater, and it was working within spec.

You have to love dealers, the lies they will sprout just to get a sale or fob off any potential warranty claims
At least some of us get a good laugh at those who actually believe what a car salesman tells them

 

[CRH]

I picked up my vehicle in Dec 2023 from 4x4Garrage in Canberra, and BOTH tanks had white leak marks from the showroom floor! The heater also didn't work. For one year I was told that it was normal, and the heater works as it should. I have winter temps of -10C, and I can drive hundreds of km's and the heater would never blow warm air... I eventually began topping up the blue/hot res every few months with approx 2L of coolant (the res has been completely empty several times). I have 60,000km service soon and will ask for both tanks to be replaced.

I photographed mine and a loan/courtesy vehicle to prove my point

 

[abbeyroad]

Very common issue with BMW under hood. I've owned a couple of S55 BMWs and had the charge cooler and main coolant expansion tanks replaced due to the same dried coolant crust at the seams. It's a shtty design yet they continue to use it for what reason(s) I don't know.

Regular visual checks requisite for any fastidious owner.

 

[Kalthunayan]

Hey Guys,

I have the same problem, dealer told me to wait 3-4 weeks for the part to arrive and i have a long trip (5000 KM) that i don’t want to miss out on. Can i just refill the coolant whenever it’s low? Or try and cover the leak by some kind of way?

 

[Logsplitter]

Hey Guys,

I have the same problem, dealer told me to wait 3-4 weeks for the part to arrive and i have a long trip (5000 KM) that i don’t want to miss out on. Can i just refill the coolant whenever it’s low? Or try and cover the leak by some kind of way?

Maybe some JBWeld or other plastic weld to do a fix. It Is the sort of thing you want to be carrying with you anyway for a field fix of a plastic part.

 

[CRH]

Hey Guys,

I have the same problem, dealer told me to wait 3-4 weeks for the part to arrive and i have a long trip (5000 KM) that i don’t want to miss out on. Can i just refill the coolant whenever it’s low? Or try and cover the leak by some kind of way?

Mine has been like it for thousands of miles, I have just topped them up. Initially I had to prove they were both leaking and then I had to wait for parts, then one of them was incorrect and I still have 1 dodgy one fitted. I have only topped up not tried to seal so in theory you should be ok

 

[simonpa]

Just had mine replaced - after lengthy wait for parts.
Thanks to Tom and Greg at Compass Automotive.