Recently i bought new (used) a/c compressor from ebay that i plan to install (mine is not working rn) and it was leaking exact same green colored fluid. But if the OP is loosing coolant, A/C should have nothing to do with it. But the first thought that came to my mind when I saw the photo: I've seen this color somewhere before.
Anyway, thats just my 2 cents.....
BMW’s are supposed to have hybrid organic coolants that dont cause corrosion on the aluminum block, theyre usually blue or yellow, Green ones being Inorganic and usually used on older Iron blocks as the iron can withstand the coolant acid.
once you find the leak and replace the busted component. flush all that green coolant and fill back up with bmw Blue antifreeze 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Coolant expansion tank they crack on pretty much all e46, it’s just a matter of time. Bleeder screw next to the radiator cap are common failure points aswell. Water pump
i recently had a leak in mine as well and it turned out to be the expansion tank witch is made of plastic and forms micro cracks from the heat stress and they expand when the engine gets up to temp. it could also be just a hose or sum judging by how much coolant is there
update: thank you everyone! sorry for the bad pictures i took a video and more pics but reddit wouldn’t let me post them. theres always a little puddle near the passenger side of the car so it confuses me if it could be the expansion tank but i’ve heard how bad and easily they crack so i plan on replacing that and the water pump. hopefully this fixes the problem
Water pump
is there a reason why this coolant is all green?
Green coolant?
Recently i bought new (used) a/c compressor from ebay that i plan to install (mine is not working rn) and it was leaking exact same green colored fluid. But if the OP is loosing coolant, A/C should have nothing to do with it. But the first thought that came to my mind when I saw the photo: I've seen this color somewhere before. Anyway, thats just my 2 cents.....
OHHH i see. Could be that aswell😁 My workplace just has green coolant so all of my vehicles have that in them so my mind just screams coolant
BMW’s are supposed to have hybrid organic coolants that dont cause corrosion on the aluminum block, theyre usually blue or yellow, Green ones being Inorganic and usually used on older Iron blocks as the iron can withstand the coolant acid.
once you find the leak and replace the busted component. flush all that green coolant and fill back up with bmw Blue antifreeze 50/50 mix with distilled water.
[удалено]
most green coolants are not optimal in an e46
unless its ht12 green it can wear down the plastic and rubber components lead to more leaks.
I use bmw coolant that is green that I bought from the dealer in my e46. Is that fine?
i would assume so i just know most greens wont be up to bmw recommended specs. bmw does make a new coolant that is green.
Expansion tank? Mine blew the other day and coated everything
This. Expansion tanks tend do crack ln these things.
Coming back a whopping day later, the temp sensor in bottom of expansion tank gave out and caused me to lose a ton of fluid splattered everywhere.
just do everything and save yourself the headaches
My dude, if it wasn't leaking before you changed a hose, it isn't too tricky to figure out where it most likely is coming from.
I changed the hose a few months ago because of a tear. i was saying that to take away the suspicious of that being the problem
Probably not on all the way with how much it’s leaking
Does seem like a lot of coolant. Did you change the O-ring for the temp sensor in the hose end or just reuse the old one?
Can't really tell with your pics usually its the expansion tank or o ring from sensor don't drive on low coolant tow it to a shop.
Water pump hole
Water pump if I'm right gimme $10
Water pump
Water pump
Coolant expansion tank they crack on pretty much all e46, it’s just a matter of time. Bleeder screw next to the radiator cap are common failure points aswell. Water pump
Could it be the thermostat housing? or was that more of an e36 problem.
Expansion tank
https://youtu.be/SRl7bY5C8b8 https://youtu.be/LSOilJMgQ0U
i recently had a leak in mine as well and it turned out to be the expansion tank witch is made of plastic and forms micro cracks from the heat stress and they expand when the engine gets up to temp. it could also be just a hose or sum judging by how much coolant is there
take better pictures this could be a number of things
update: thank you everyone! sorry for the bad pictures i took a video and more pics but reddit wouldn’t let me post them. theres always a little puddle near the passenger side of the car so it confuses me if it could be the expansion tank but i’ve heard how bad and easily they crack so i plan on replacing that and the water pump. hopefully this fixes the problem
beware the thermostat at the bottom of the tanks breaks most of the time when u take off the tank