Need help with m44 coolant Leak (new to the forum)

[Hokkina Hong]

Hi all, I've been driving my new Z3 for a couple of weeks now, but I have began to notice my coolant levels rapidly depleteing upon casual driving. After looking in the bay, I found that the coolant is piled up at the locations shown in my images. By the way, there is no white smoke coming from the exhaust. Any suggestions on the issue, thanks guys/gals!

 

[t-tony]

Hi @Hokkina Hong, firstly welcome to the forum from Lincoln UK, secondly there are many more experienced owners to help you with what appears to be a reasonably common problem with older cars. Mine is not the M44 engine but I'm sure someone will soon pick up on your request for assistance and advise you.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome from me too.

We have a group of owners we refer to as the [USERGROUP=12]@M44 Massive[/USERGROUP]. I've just tagged them so I'm sure one will be along to offer suggestions.

Cheers, Gary

 

[Hokkina Hong]

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I hope I find my answer!

 

[hard top]

There are a few of the boys on here that have had similar problems, hang in there.
Oh and welcome from me too.

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome from Canada! Sorry you have a problem but you were wize to come here for advice. I have the same engine but not had the problem but many have and will be along shortly to assist you! JIM

 

[Hokkina Hong]

I agree, this forum is very supportive, and it is nice to see support from all over the world as well. I have found that the Z3 has a wonderful chassis and feel. I have to say, the car is much better than any of my Miatas haha, aside from this small setback.

 

[Shelly]

Welcome from me too
From Bradwell near Great Yarmouth
Hope you get your problem sorted

 

[zedonist]

Welcome. From the pictures, it looks like the leak may be coming from one of the heater matrix hoses, either the feed or the return and I suspect one of them is split, probably around the connector area into the block / head.

A couple of members have had this problem, and I think one was the connector at the bulk head end was broken, either way, you just need to check the two hoses that come from the bulk head to the engine to see if it is this, the only other thing could be a core plug, but I don't recall where the core plugs are located on the engine, but these are designed to push out if the engine freezes or gets to much pressure in the water system. They are round metal plugs about 25mm Dia, like an upturned bottle cap and they should be recessed into the block, a popped one will show quite easily.

 

[Tim@Prestige]

Hi & welcome!
I hope you enjoy your time on the forum.

 

[jonco]

from me too.

Agree with Zedonist and would include heater valve connections as a possible. I had a gradual leak in this area which turned out to be from the jubilee clip on the short hose from heater valve ( see pic - greenish deposit) The extent of yours suggests an actual hose split, as Zedonist states, which I would think you could see with engine running.
If you cannot see it, try stuffing an absorbent material (kitchen roll tissue) around the hoses and connectors and observe which gets wet first.

 

[Hokkina Hong]

Welcome. From the pictures, it looks like the leak may be coming from one of the heater matrix hoses, either the feed or the return and I suspect one of them is split, probably around the connector area into the block / head.

A couple of members have had this problem, and I think one was the connector at the bulk head end was broken, either way, you just need to check the two hoses that come from the bulk head to the engine to see if it is this, the only other thing could be a core plug, but I don't recall where the core plugs are located on the engine, but these are designed to push out if the engine freezes or gets to much pressure in the water system. They are round metal plugs about 25mm Dia, like an upturned bottle cap and they should be recessed into the block, a popped one will show quite easily.

Thanks a lot, I suspected that it had to have been a simple issue like that. It does make sense that there could to be too much pressure as I had topped off my coolant with Prestone 50/50, instead I should have replace my coolant entirely.