M54 : Oil went in Radiator Reservoir

[bmcaz]

Decided to check water level yest, and shocking discovery, the radiator reservoir was like Brylcream - went to mech and said water went in the radiator. Two possibilities, gasket leak (changed 6 mths ago) or block crack (really dont understand how that is possible) no signs of over heating or what so ever!! Haizz... Looks like gotta standby sum doh, looks like a big job. Will keep this post updated. Of any sifus experienced similar probs do share. Mine is m54b22, 2004

 

[gimli]

have you checked the engine oil cap? if there is milky brown stuff then could be either:-
1)gasket
2)head warped or cracked
3)engine block warped cracked

if its cracked, you need to replaced, if warped, you can send it for skimming. If the block is cracked, I suggest changing it. And since you are using a M54 engine, the price is quite reasonable, much cheaper then overhauling.

BTW why did you change the head gasket?

And if memory serves me correct, a leaking oil cooler can also cause engine oil to leak into the radiator (can someone pls confirm this?)

 

[bmcaz]

Yep, another m54 user frm e46 section advised the same thing. Since i wasnt sure if this problem was common for m54 users or e60 user specifically i put up this problem in both sections.

His problem was the ATF oil cooler went to radiator, which is much relief compared to changing the block.

Today gonna go to the mech n see if traces of water in engine oil sump or the ATF to eliminate all possibilities.

Block or cylinder crack will be weird coz the car showed no signs of overheating untill i coincidently decided to check the radiator water level. Cant just suddenly crack right?

 

[bmcaz]

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48338

This is where the other forummer faced similar problems. His is e46

 

[elixir]

Had the same problem early this year. I just changed the engine. Look at the bright side, put in bigger c.c.

 

[gimli]

another symptom is the car difficult to start. That's a sign of loss of compression. Overheating is not the only thing that can cause problems, using cheap coolant can also cause the head/block to get corroded(I have seen this happen personally). But if water is not entering the engine, then probably its the oil cooler. Logically if the head gasket is the problem, water will enter the engine. One test the mechanic will do is remove the spark plugs and use an airgun and spray into the opening. If water comes out, then its a serious problem.

BTW you still didn't answer why you changed the head gasket 6 months ago.

 

[bmcaz]

Hi gimli, changed the head gasket because there was engine malfunction warning and car wont start. When inspect, there was water in the coils. but at that time, there was no creamy formation in the radiator.

That time i kena 6k++ coz i didnt knw any mech, so sent to a specialist to pandan/ampang

 

[bmcaz]

Had the same problem early this year. I just changed the engine. Look at the bright side, put in bigger c.c.

So what was the damage? And u upgraded to how many liters?

 

[jit3925]

Hi there, hope not interrupting but I think you have a break in the Transmission Cooler. It functions as a cooling device for the transmission oil by circulating the oil from the gearbox to the radiator and back into the gearbox. When this device cracks or leaks, the water in the radiator and the transmission oil get mixed up. The result, u have transmission oil in the radiator which also means u have to flush all the water in the radiator and engine + flush your gearbox + transmission service. I hope its not to late to safe your engine or gearbox cause it will cost you a lot to replace them. This device must be replace with a new one every 80,000km (recommended). My friend had his e46 with same damage, cost him about Rm5k to replace his gearbox. Hope the diagram and picture helps u. Thanks guys..sorry again for interrupting.

View attachment 24989 Transmission Cooler

View attachment 24990 Transmission Cooler Diagram

View attachment 24991 Transmission Cooler connected to Radiator E60 M54

View attachment 24985 Transmission Cooler on a E46 (couldn't find yours but the diagram explains the same)

View attachment 24986 Transmission Oil in the Radiator

View attachment 24988

 

[bmcaz]

Hi there, hope not interrupting but I think you have a break in the Transmission Cooler. It functions as a cooling device for the transmission oil by circulating the oil from the gearbox to the radiator and back into the gearbox. When this device cracks or leaks, the water in the radiator and the transmission oil get mixed up. The result, u have transmission oil in the radiator which also means u have to flush all the water in the radiator and engine + flush your gearbox + transmission service. I hope its not to late to safe your engine or gearbox cause it will cost you a lot to replace them. This device must be replace with a new one every 80,000km (recommended). My friend had his e46 with same damage, cost him about Rm5k to replace his gearbox. Hope the diagram and picture helps u. Thanks guys..sorry again for interrupting.

View attachment 24989 Transmission Cooler

View attachment 24990 Transmission Cooler Diagram

View attachment 24991 Transmission Cooler connected to Radiator E60 M54

View attachment 24985 Transmission Cooler on a E46 (couldn't find yours but the diagram explains the same)

View attachment 24986 Transmission Oil in the Radiator

View attachment 24988

Hi bro thanks. Just went to my mech. And it is confirm the atf oil cooler os broken. Checked with Munich Auto, my regular part supplier for my E30 and E60, the part costs RM330.

Its a real relief! Now i will take note to replace it every 80k kms. By the way how often to service the AT?

Previously i sent the car to 2 other mechs and spent atleast 12k for same issue, water found in coils. Now im sending it to my trusty mech tat ive known for 9 years. Reason didnt sent the car to him was bcoz hes only familiar to japs. Now he bought the diagnostic tool, and of course lots of research from me and ideas from forum members helps us to fix my 2 beemers.

Thanks again for the tip!!!

P/s : when u mean flush water out of engine means i have to open the head cover ans etc?

 

[jit3925]

Hi bro thanks. Just went to my mech. And it is confirm the atf oil cooler os broken. Checked with Munich Auto, my regular part supplier for my E30 and E60, the part costs RM330.

Its a real relief! Now i will take note to replace it every 80k kms. By the way how often to service the AT?

Previously i sent the car to 2 other mechs and spent atleast 12k for same issue, water found in coils. Now im sending it to my trusty mech tat ive known for 9 years. Reason didnt sent the car to him was bcoz hes only familiar to japs. Now he bought the diagnostic tool, and of course lots of research from me and ideas from forum members helps us to fix my 2 beemers.

Thanks again for the tip!!!

P/s : when u mean flush water out of engine means i have to open the head cover ans etc?

Yup, that's it. You have oil cooler prob bro. But at least we were able to solve with a min damage to your wallet.
I'm not sure about how to flush the polluted water out the engine but i don't think that you need to open the head cover. The water circulates around the engine parts to keep the temperature at a nominal level, means its not circulating in the engine. Like the air around your skin, makes you feel hot or cold. From my theory I think all you have to do is insert a pipe into the water inlet and keep pumping the water while the engine running to circulate the clean water, it will flush the polluted water out through the water outlet pipe. The outlet and inlet is connected to the radiator to circulate water through the cooling coil. So basically you insert clean water into the system with the outlet pipe disconnected to let the water out. Its like doing dialysis for diabetes patient at the hospital...hahahaha...
About changing the ATF oil, BMW claims that you don't require to change it at all. Their idea of changing is replacing the whole gearbox with a new one when it breaks down. For all I know, many people recommend ATF oil change every 20k km. I made my service every 30k km with the BMW ATF. Go figure bro..

 

[gimli]

my mechanic did the following to remove the water that entered the engine:-
1)Flush engine oil that was mixed with water
2)Fill up with cheaper oil (mineral based), run the car for a few km's
3)Flush the engine oil again and this time add the engine oil that you would normally use.

 

[bmcaz]

my mechanic did the following to remove the water that entered the engine:-
1)Flush engine oil that was mixed with water
2)Fill up with cheaper oil (mineral based), run the car for a few km's
3)Flush the engine oil again and this time add the engine oil that you would normally use.

Seems like a good idea!

 

[jit3925]

How much total damage bro?

 

[bmcaz]

Total damage... Lemme see

Parts (wajib tukar)
1) transmission oil cooler $330
2) transmission cooler line $400 (the line was fine but the coupling melted, so i had to buy the whole set as it was not sold separately)

Parts optional

Got it done bcoz i was "time"
a) ZF transmission oil $50/L x 8 : $400
b) oil sump n filter : $250 (+/-)

Labour ; not quoted yet, mech is a friend

This price is because i bought the parts on my own, my mech allows coz its easier for him.