very slow water leak?

55

Asked by synnek Jul 27, 2013 at 02:35 PM about the 1995 BMW 5 Series 540i Sedan RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently bought a 1995 bmw 540i and have done a few things to bring it back to par.  
However, I have been having to add some Prestone 50/50 to cap off the fluid.  It is such
a small amount each few times I drive it in the very hot Oklahoma summer that I have
not been too worried about driving it.  I watch the temperature gauge closely and it
never gets hot.  The add coolant light comes on every few days.  Since this is my first
BMW of any vintage I would like to know if this is normal or should I take it in for a
system pressure check to find where the fluid is going or should I wait for the fluid loss
to get worse so I can determine for myself a needed repair.  This may sound silly but I
fear sometimes that a repair shop may find a minor problem but tell me I need some
major work.  I feel if I wait the fluid loss will become apparent.  I am not the least
mechanical and am a pessimist when it comes to auto repair shops.  Is there an easy
way for me to determine such small amounts of fluid loss?

2 Answers

199,855

Places like auto zone have a kit to pressurize your cooling system so you can find the leak. They don't charge you to use it.

1 people found this helpful.
45

BMW uses cheap plastic components in the cooling systems of most of their cars, which require complete overhaul every 80k or so. You could just track down the part that needs replacing, it usually start with the expansion tank, or one of the hoses, but you will end up replacing everything because the plastic just rots as it ages. I own an E39 540(1997-2003), it is not too similar to the E34(1989-1995), but they share a lot of issues with each other, overheating is the #1 killer of V8 E34/E39, if you enjoy your 540, this is something you want to take care of asap.

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