If you find your BMW is not running as smoothly as usual, it’s possible that you might have a coolant leak within the engine of your vehicle. These leaks can be caused by many different factors in your engine and can be difficult to find.
If you do not fix the leak right away, it could damage your engine severely and be very expensive, so it is best to fix this problem immediately. DART Auto is here to help you.
How to Identify a Coolant Leak
If you suspect you have a coolant leak, it is prudent to identify the source. It can be hard to pinpoint the drip within the engine, and leaks can be external or internal.
First, make sure the engine has had time to cool off when you check around it. If the engine is still warm, the coolant can evaporate, making it hard to find the source of the leak. A flashlight can help locate the drip.
It is also possible that the leak can be coming from the heater. If you smell something sweet and things are sticky, there is likely an external leak there.
An internal leak can be hard to find because leaks evaporate so quickly. However, you might see light gray smoke coming from the exhaust. If you don’t notice any whitish exhaust, you should turn your attention back to the engine.
Other places you’ll want to check include cracks in the engine block, gaskets, and valves. You can remove the spark plugs and the exhaust manifold in order to inspect these for signs of coolant leaks.
Also, it is a good idea to look at your engine’s oil. If it is a milky brown color, this means you have worse damage than a coolant leak. This means coolant has mixed with the engine oil, which can be a disaster. If this happens, do not drive your car. Instead, call for a tow to a trusted BMW shop that can handle this level of engine damage.
Causes of Coolant Leaks
When thinking of coolant leaks, the cause that most often comes to mind is radiator corrosion.
This occurs when radiators and their hose connections are clogged with sedimentation through natural wear and tear. They begin to rust which can punch holes in the radiator as pieces become brittle and fall out.
We also see radiators leaking due to overfilling the reservoir. It is a good idea to never overfill your radiator. Also, make sure you are using the correct coolant by checking your owner’s manual. Again, be certain your BMW’s engine is cool any time you work under the hood.
Any type of leak can seriously damage the engine of your car. It can be beneficial to have your coolant system flushed when you replace the radiator fluid. This can prevent the toxic nightmare of coolant and oil combining in the system.
It is prudent to have dust and/or sediment removed that can collect in the cooling system. This buildup can cause coolant leaks by plugging the system. If you suspect coolant has leaked into your engine, stop driving immediately and see a mechanic.
What To Do When You Have a Coolant Leak
We don’t advise trying to fix coolant leaks by yourself. While it can be beneficial to initially locate the leak before taking your BMW to a mechanic, it’s best to trust professionals to repair the problem.
Head over to DART Auto in Denver, Colorado for the best quality service and most comprehensive repairs in the Denver area. People from all around the Denver metroplex from Englewood, Littleton, and Centennial trust DART to repair their European vehicles quickly with dealership-quality repairs at a fraction of dealership costs.
DART Auto
Each year, DART Auto invests tens of 
thousands of dollars to make sure that our technicians have the latest equipment, information, training, and speciality tools to provide the best possible service for your BMW. We offer the most comprehensive service possible in order to ensure our customer’s confidence in the overall wellbeing of their cars.
If you believe your BMW is leaking coolant, whether internally or externally, you can trust DART Auto to repair the leak with the best quality customer service around. When it comes to leaks, there is no time to waste in getting them repaired, so head on over to DART Auto in Denver, CO so you can drive your BMW with confidence again.
