[Bims328i]

Hi there my friends,

I noticed a bit of dried coolant splatter around my upper expansion tank hose (has been replaced about a year ago) about two weeks ago.

While washing the car this weekend I took a peek at the area and noticed the expansion tank itself is leaking at the seam.

Cleaned the area of the white dried splatter the night before but noticed some new splatter tonight after driving home. It's not much, just a bit and some coolant around some parts of the seam. Didn't have time to snag pics.

I have already ordered the necessary replacement parts from FCP which should be here Friday but I am curious, is there a chance this thing will burst while driving or do they slowly leak?

Of course, I don't want to risk running low on coolant, but I need to get to work for the next four days until the parts arrive.

What do you think?

[ryan stewart]

Keep a bottle of water on you I guess.

Mine split a couple summers ago on the way to my girlfriends house and it was dumping water. When it was cold it would seep but once the system tried to build pressure it would pour out. I had to basically fill up eveywhere I went until I got the replacement bottle.

The nice thing is you wont run out as long as your level sender is working, just fill it back up once it goes off.

[tcphoto]

I remember the ET bursting twice on my E46, I was meeting a friend for lunch and it was a loud bang then a stream of coolant. It sounds like you're running on borrowed time, don't overfill it and don't drive it unless absolutely necessary.

[Bims328i]

Thanks for the advice. I noticed this very early on. Have to use it for work but drove very carefully. Upon arriving today, popped the hood and no spray dried coolant though it is still leaking.

Left after work, stopped at the gas station before home, popped hood, no new visible "spray" leaks but it is still leaking at the seam.

Might be due to driving a bit over 80mph on the freeway then on the exit ramp the engine temps rise increasing system pressure as you come to a stop in less than a mile.

Driving below 80, giving a good half mile to gradually slow down before the exit.

Pray for me as I am driving on mechanics blessings.

[e91Owner]

If you think it’s leaking, just replace it, since it’s so easy. $60 is cheap insurance.

[Bims328i]

The parts will be here tomorrow. I was curious if anyone had a leaky one burst on them or something of that nature. Drove easy, was fine. Repairing tomorrow.

[SF07e70]

I’ve only experienced e36 and e39 ETs breaking into pieces.

These black ETs don’t seem to burst.

[Serf27]

Have never seen the radiator burse, only the coolant reservoir tank.
Once the ends start leaking, they’ll randomly leak.

[royaldiamond]

They might burst. Mine did about a month ago. I would check your tank and change it proactively.