coolant

[espositox]

I really need some help because my 86 528e just started leaking and I don’t know where it’s coming from but I am assuming it’s the back hoses. Do I have to take the intake manifold to reach them? It is dripping a good amount near the tranny pan and drips to the floor. If someone knows how to fix this or any tips please help me out. I’m going to try to rent a radiator pressure test kit to get kore information on where the leak is. If you guys can help me out this is my daily

[Shawn D.]

I'm not familiar with the M20 engines/hoses, but as a temporary non-fix for trips you must make, if the weather is cool (i.e. under ~70°F) and you're not getting stuck in traffic, you can remove the pressure cap from the reservoir. This will keep the system from pressurizing and will reduce the leakage.

[turbodan]

It is not necessary to remove the intake to replace the heater hoses. It is easier to do with the intake off but I'd recommend just working around it.

There are three heater hoses back there, one throttle body heater hose and a water valve that controls flow to the heater core. I would do nothing less than replace all of the water hoses at the same time. This is a decent opportunity to do the timing belt, water pump and thermostat as well if you don't know how old they are.

Anything less that the whole meal deal will result in this scenario occurring over and over again until you end up replacing each hose individually. These cars are very reliable, don't let old hoses drag you down.

[jimoreno]

Back when I had my 528e I had a bad coolant leak that came from under the intake manifold. Fill up the system and start the engine while following all of the hoses.