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My BMW 3-series drained $600 before I figured out the real problem
Bought a 2012 328i last year and kept getting coolant loss warnings. Took it to three shops who all said it was a cracked expansion tank. Dropped $600 on repairs over 2 months before a buddy pointed out the electric water pump had a slow leak only when hot. Apparently these pumps are known to fail and dump coolant but no one checks them first. Anyone else get stuck chasing phantom coolant leaks on these cars?
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laurar383mo ago
Saw a YouTube video that said exactly this about the 328i.
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mila_sullivan3mo ago
That bit about the water pump only leaking when hot is exactly what got me. Friend of mine had the same 328i and we spent a whole weekend chasing a mystery leak. Turns out the water pump gasket would seal fine cold but expand and let coolant seep out once the engine got up to temp. If you're still fighting it, check the thermostat housing too. Those can crack in the same way and you'll be chasing it forever if you don't catch it early.
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jake_chen3mo ago
Yeah I drove a 328i for three years and the water pump went out on the highway, just died no warning.
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