Leaking coolant on '95 530

[yaofeng]

BMW must have its reasons to keep that part of the block on V8 in coolant jacket. Why would it be wet? If it has a gasket, it has the propensity to leak in time.

[Paul in NZ]

I dunno I was thinking of replacing the water pump and t-stat alone. The o-rings on the front side of the engine as well I suppose. Whats the point of that pan? I don't see how it does anything. I am not very well versed on BMW V8s. Why would it be wet, and what does it do?

they are the valve covers arent they?

[Jon K]

My question was - is there coolant under that cover? I dont understand what it is - I dont do V8s traditionally.

[Ferret]

My question was - is there coolant under that cover? I dont understand what it is - I dont do V8s traditionally.

Yeah the V8 has a bath/galley that runs down the centre top of the block to cool the top edges of the pistons... quite common for the later M62s to spring leaks here past the 100k miles mark.

[Tiger]

Mileage on that car would help... usually at about 100,000 miles that things starts to go... My radiator first went... then my water pump... then my thermostat housing. Thermostat housing is the primary suspect.

You can tell on water pump when you park with car downhill and engine running... you can see the drips with a flashlight.

[Jon K]

Thanks Ferret - jeez thats a strange thing - leave it to bmw!

Her had an alusil block put in, so I suspect all the seals and such are newer than the chassis, which has probably 140k or so. So the motor is probably at 40 - 50k miles which is water pump territory. I am replacing that stuff first and if I have to I'll go back in for the valley pan. All in all, this stuff isn't nearly as daunting as what I've done to my car - it should go well.