R56 Cooling system constantly has air in it, won't bleed
Hey Gubi thank you so much for the reply.
We did not pressure test it. I'm sure that will be their next step too. Will take a look at the cap too.
I have been driving the car softly during this time, staying out of boost. Last night I drove the car hard hard for the first time since having these problems (open road, multiple 2-3-4 gear pulls), and I smell coolant when I come to a stop. It doesn't last very long, it goes away pretty quickly. This is what made me suspect it's leaking under boost. I am going to go out this afternoon and wrap a towel around the coolant tank to see if there is mist escaping that otherwise isn't leaving evidence.
I can't tell if the car is smoking under boost, I don't see anything in the mirror but I don't have a buddy driving behind me to confirm.
Update: Drove the car hard, full 200-210 coolant temp, there is no blowby from the radiator cap, the towel is completely dry despite the engine bay smelling of coolant.
I poked around and I can't see any wetness for the parts of the cooling system which are visible. Nothing on the pipes, radiator, expansion tank, what I can see of the water pump pulley, what I can see of the thermostat housing.
Next step is pressure test. God I wish the ****ing rental test kits had an adapter for this car. None of them do.
We did not pressure test it. I'm sure that will be their next step too. Will take a look at the cap too.
I have been driving the car softly during this time, staying out of boost. Last night I drove the car hard hard for the first time since having these problems (open road, multiple 2-3-4 gear pulls), and I smell coolant when I come to a stop. It doesn't last very long, it goes away pretty quickly. This is what made me suspect it's leaking under boost. I am going to go out this afternoon and wrap a towel around the coolant tank to see if there is mist escaping that otherwise isn't leaving evidence.
I can't tell if the car is smoking under boost, I don't see anything in the mirror but I don't have a buddy driving behind me to confirm.
Update: Drove the car hard, full 200-210 coolant temp, there is no blowby from the radiator cap, the towel is completely dry despite the engine bay smelling of coolant.
I poked around and I can't see any wetness for the parts of the cooling system which are visible. Nothing on the pipes, radiator, expansion tank, what I can see of the water pump pulley, what I can see of the thermostat housing.
Next step is pressure test. God I wish the ****ing rental test kits had an adapter for this car. None of them do.
Last edited by minifanboy; Aug 14, 2025 at 05:40 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post




