hey guys this might be related to the water pump (which i have had replaced once) but it seems lately that my water temp is getting up to 235-240 then the fan turns on and cools it down... or it just drops back down to 220 which is is norally at. i opened the hood just a seccond ago and it looks like the coolant tank is empty... but didnt want to open it yet until engined cooled. ya think this could be the problem? i didnt have time to research it just thought i would see your guys thoughts... also i do not live close to a dealer so that isnt an option right at this moment... thanks guys!

 

Fill it with coolant and then start by checking the thermostat housing leaking. Check your oil to see if coolant is mixed with it. good luck

 

Is it obvious if there is coolant mixed when I check the oil?

 

It can look like this, and yes it is usually obvious

 

I would assume that's not good. Haha

 

Ps I checked the reservoir and its very low.

 

Check your thermstat hosuing for any leaks as that is common in the R56

 

Check this new thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp-change.html

 

Yea, It sounds like you must have a coolant leak.

Check right under the thermostat housing. They will leak on the transmission housing and on the back side. Its located on the driver side of the engine under the intake tubing and air filter system.

Also, check the bottom of the expansion tank , they can crack near the bottom.

Are you finding any coolant puddles on the ground after it cools down?

Here is the parts and coolant. Also linked what the install looks like for the thermostat so you know where it is.

Here is the install article. I just posted on another thread.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hermostat.html

Driver side of the engine, you will have a leak right below the thermostat housing or on the backside as that were they like to separate.

Here is what the thermostat housing looks like:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11537534521/ES25098/



I would recommend OEM Genuine Coolant.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82140031133/ES196253/



Coolant expansion tank:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/17137823626/ES2166017/




Thanks and let me know what you find out.

 

I'm about to head to autozone right now. I can't get the mini stuff because the nearest dealer is 6 hours away. Any other recommendation

 

like brams picture shows it will be milky... but dont confuse the milk with corrosion in the system. when was the last time you had a coolant flush and fill done?

 

Oh and I haven't noticed any leaks. Could the coolant just be low without leaking??

 

I had its service in late December early January. I did an oil change and all the usual stuff they do during a yearly service.

 

It has to be going somewhere,
unless you have a very slow leak , and the fluid is pooling on the transmission housing. Mine did that a little before it started really leaking down the back. I would pull the intake off and check under that thermostat first.

Also pull the oil cap off or the dipstick and check for a heavy amount of milky substance like Bam said to rule out anything else.

 

There is no milky substance on the oil cap. Clean as a whistle. Doesn't look as if the reservoir has leaks on it. And don't see any leaky ness. I will have to pull the intake this weekend. For now I'm adding some coolant

 

Keep us posted mike.

 

Soo I added the coolant I got 50/50 and brought it up to the min/max line. On the drive home. All was well. Water temp was around 220 average. Even dropped lower than that. I am going to go pull the I take and check out the thermostat housing.

 

I am not seeing anything that looks like the thermostat housing you pictured. I have a 2011 if that makes a difference.

 

Mike, when did you replace your water pump at? I'm at 46k, just curious(I have a 2011).

 

Haha man mine was within the first year. There is a thread on here about it. It was making a squeaking noise. They replaced it.

 

I guess I'll clean my DoS CAI while its off. Maybe it'll help with cooling :-)
Update. Havnt seen and leakage yet. Don't see any drop anywhere except what a dribbled when pooring.

 

So I cleaned and reinstalled the cold air intake. Topped off the coolant. Checked for leaks ANYWHERE. and don't seem to see anything. Nothing on the ground in my parking spot or anything. Could the dusty clogged up with gunk air filter have been the source of the problem??? The temp is sitting at 220 and I just drove around for 10 minutes and now ok sitting here. Before it would raise to 230-240 when sitting. I will keep an eye on it.
Sounds like the engine is running a hit smoother now I cleaned the filter. It gets rather dusty here in the Palouse.

 

your water pump may be leaking and you don't even know it. i've seen them leak, and gather fluid on passenger side lower control arm as well as drive belt under cover and dry/slime up before any evidence (liquid wise) hits the ground. I'd put your car on some jack stands or if you can put her on a lift and remove the drive belt under cover and look straight up you'll see some nice mossy looking gathering of coolant that has been drying. if not their then top of your transmission bell housing (and if its bad, down the backside gathering on and around the crank position sensor cover and underside of the bell housing of trans). Coolant doesn't just disappear (well for your sake better hope not, because if it is thats really bad), if your having to top it off regularly then its leaking somewhere, you just have to look around, or pay someone to do it for you.

 

thanks!... here is a question.. may be really stupid but i dont know much about coolant.. in the coolant tank does it always stay in there or does it move in and out. like if i was just driving the car does it move out of the coolant tank then come back in. because when i filled it to the line then started the car it went away. but it obviously didnt go flying out onto the ground because there is nothing there... it has been pretty good and nothing weird, but it looked like a kind of puddle on the ground but not sure if it was water dripping from the car port or not... i cant see any liquid in the engine bay or when i try to look underneath and i dont have jack or jack stands and im going out of town. Plus the dealer is 6 hours away... great!

 

The expansion tank is essentially a reservoir for when the engine heats and cools. when the engine is up to temp, everything expands(thermal expansion), when the engine cools, things contract...which is when the engine would take coolant from the res tank. it may fill the tank back up a little when the engine is warm. it's also sort of "self burping", meaning air pockets and bubbles will work their way out of the cooling system, and take needed coolant from the tank. if you had air bubbles, it may take a couple times to top off the coolant res if the engine had a lot of air pockets