Help.....steam, water, bugger and arse!!!

[Danstable]

On my way to a mate's engagement party, running late, and small amounts of what seems to be steam are coming from the engine bay. Pool of what I think is water under the car, not massive loss, more like steady dripping/trickle. Slight smell to the 'steam'.

Temp guage went a bit wappy, held around the half way mark but jumped around quickly for a second or two.....odd!

Leak and steam seem to be coming from the rear end of the engine. Checked in oil filler and can't see anything resembling mayo.....yet, and the temp isn't shooting up or anything, and the coolant level looks to be fine.

Can anyone give me a clue as to what I might be facing??!

Off to borrow a car and get to Manchester, will cry later.

Dan

[johnono]

dont drive it until u can have a good look at the rad hoses and coolant bottle lines. if its a hose uԚ´re safe as.

[stevo]

sounds like head gasket
exhaust gasses escaping into water?

[Danstable]

It was getting a bit dark last night so couldn't see very much, and haven't had a chance to look today. I don't think it's anything to do with rad hoses as the steam/smoke was at the rear of the engine. Are there any hoses at the back end on an M20 2.5?

The smoke/steam did seem to have a slight smell to it but I wouldn't say it smelled of exhaust gasses. I'm just about certain it was water and not oil leaking, again at the rear of the engine.

Please, someone tell me there's a hose back there!

[dazleeds]

check around and under the water pump as well as there is a hole that should leak water when theres a fault with the pump

but as johnono says if in doubt dnt drive it find the fault first it might just save your engine mate good luck Daz

[Danstable]

Yep, I'm not driving it anywhere other than 100m round the corner to the garage.

Went to have a quick look and I've a horrible feeling that there may be oil leaking rather than / as well as water. Not certain yet as I can't really move the car to see what's under it.....but there is a small amount of oil on the road infront of my car (leaked before I reversed back maybe). Could be someone elses though.

[dazleeds]

the hoses to the heatermatrix are on the bulkhead passenger side right near back of engine

have you checked them?? if lose and sucked in air will cause a whole heap of overheating probs and can kill head or gasket

[tylerma]

where abouts is the expansion tank on your car

if its at the bulkhead you might want to try another cap
because the seals can blow and then steam gets pushed out of an overflow

i had the same problem on my 318i and i replaced the cap first
because it was only about a fiver from the dealers

just had to replace the expansion tank cap on my old mans 5 series as well
because he was getting a bit of steam
and a puddle of water under the engine

its worth a try
and quite cheap

[Danstable]

Cheers fellas, I'll see what daylight presents.

[Templ8e30]

Hi Dan, you're not having much luck with your motor are you mate !?

If I can be of any help just holler

See you soon,

Iain T

[Danstable]

Thanks for the offer Iain. Before this latest incident I was planning on heading to my parents' place in Lymm next weekend to do some work on the car (door solenoids, LSD maybe, wiper motor, other odds and sods).

If I can get this sorted and get to Lymm then your assistance would be much appreciated if you're free.

Dan

PS Still grinning over the 2.7?!

[Templ8e30]

Going away this weekend but will be free sat 25th if that's any good ?

Yes still grinning over the 2.7 fantastically scary handling in the wet with no LSD !

What diff have you got in at the moment ? could be after a 3.91 or 3.73, the 3.64 is grumbling a bit

See you soon,

Iain T

[Danstable]

I'm away on two stag do's from Monday for a week, so weekend after next is no good. Will catch up soon though.

Diff's....I have a 3.64 open diff in a box, ready to go, and I have a 3.91 open diff on the car.....which will be free when I do the swap.

I'm sure we could come to some arrangement, i.e. give me a hand at some point and you take your pick of the diffs.

Later matey.

[Templ8e30]

Sounds good to me mate

See you soon,

Iain T

[Danstable]

UPDATE:

The garage says its fooked. Either the head is cracked or the gasket has gone....I've posted another thread explaining in more detail what they said. Please have a look and give me any thoughts you have.

Cheers,

Dan