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Thread: Coolant in my car?! Help!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    West Portland, OR
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    Default Coolant in my car?! Help!

    I have been getting this fog on my windows when my heat turns off that won't leave... It's greasy like oil but very thin and keeps coming back after cleaning. Is it coolant leaking from the heater core? This can't be healthy...
    -Charles
    EuroLux:. Private Detail
    E34 1/'89 ///M20 2.5i: Lachsilber

  2. #2
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    Yup, if you have kids in the car, its definitely hazardous to them, if its just started you can "live" with the leak for a bit.

    Quote Originally Posted by CharlesAFerg
    I have been getting this fog on my windows when my heat turns off that won't leave... It's greasy like oil but very thin and keeps coming back after cleaning. Is it coolant leaking from the heater core? This can't be healthy...
    -Charles
    Current
    2008 M5 6 Spd
    2000 Z3 2.8 5 Spd MSport
    2012 X5 35d Sport
    1995 540i 6 Spd
    1992 535i 5 Spd

    Former
    1995 530iA
    1986 635CSI 5 Spd
    2011 X3 2.8 MSport

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by DaCan23
    Yup, if you have kids in the car, its definitely hazardous to them, if its just started you can "live" with the leak for a bit.
    Hmm, well its been there but I didn't notice, but it wasn't really bad until recently, my windows are all fogged up,and I JUST cleaned them 3 days ago... Holy ****.
    -Charles
    EuroLux:. Private Detail
    E34 1/'89 ///M20 2.5i: Lachsilber

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by CharlesAFerg
    I have been getting this fog on my windows when my heat turns off that won't leave... It's greasy like oil but very thin and keeps coming back after cleaning. Is it coolant leaking from the heater core? This can't be healthy...
    -Charles
    Woohoo! Sounds like ye old heater core leaking... okay go ahead and do a search on that
    :: HIDCanada.com | Illuminating Your World


  5. #5
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    Either bypass the heater core or get it fixed. Mine had been leaking for about 3 weeks when it failed completely. I didn't have a place indoors to work on it so I was waiting until it warmed up a bit so I could fix it myself. I pulled into the parking lot at work, was wipeing my windows when I hear a ding and see the engine temp warning. It dumped all the coolant, luckily on the ground and not in the car but not fun and very expensive. I had to get my car towed to the dealer. Its a pretty common problem. Like Qube said, do a search and you should find all the info you need.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    Mt. Vernon Ohio
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    Could this be similar to the fog I get in my car when it sits in the sun all day when its like 20 degrees outside? Or the random foggy windows? I never checked to see if it was oily or anything, just blasted the defrost on high and it was gone...I do leak about 1/2 a quart of antifreeze a week but I was sure that was through my expansion tank that needs to be replaced...Also the other day I was running my AC and it causes condensation on the outside of my windshield, never have seen this before either. Any ideas?
    1993 525iA M50TU
    Black on Black...need pics
    208,888 miles

  7. #7
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    Coolant smells.
    Have you changed the microfilter already?
    And check the drain holes under the car which are under the heater core in the floor of the car, the water/moisture should have a free drain down to the bottom.

  8. #8
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    Dec 2005
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    It doesn't smell like coolant, I haven't checked the drain holes (except the one on my passenger door, that the rust has moderately expanded :P ) I plan on doing my microfilter asap, we'll see after that.
    1993 525iA M50TU
    Black on Black...need pics
    208,888 miles

  9. #9
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    Probably the evaporated water stays in the car and does not drain out to the floor. Also Microfilter might be full of moisture.
    When you change the microfilter, pour some water under the heater core in the 'pan' there and it should come out under the car immy.

  10. #10
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    I definetly dont recomend additives but prestone had some pellets that have seemed to help.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

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