V8 weep hole coolant leak

[Jamine16]

The inevitable has happened, I got the coolant weep hole leak.

For anyone that is not familiar with the problem,  basically it will effect just about every N62 V8 engine at some point (including the 4.8 version)

There is a coolant transfer pipe that runs from the front to the back of the engine at the bottom of the V (underneath the intake manifold and valley pan)

Over time the rubber seal at the front corrodes and coolant builds up in the valley and leaks from the weep hole. (Usually between 80-100k miles)

How many other X5 owners have experienced this?

There is alot on the 7 series forums and iv even noticed a few posts with E70 owners experiencing the same issue.

I have a bimmer pipe on order and the whole repair will cost me about 1k (including parts and labour)

[lezmtaylor]

Bloody hell, hope it does not affect the M62.

Lez

[AW8]

No exclusive to valvetronic N62 I think- google valley pan N62 and loads of info plus repair kit info albeit most chat stateside last time I looked.

[Horizon]

There's a good how to, on YouTube, it looked like it was a liquid gasket, he cleaned up the old surface and put a bead of silicone on the two mating surfaces and bolted it back down. It's from the US, there used to V8's there.

[Jamine16]

Iv ordered the bimmer pipe (www.bimmerpipe.com)

It looks like a pretty simple install compared to what would be involved if you replaced it an oem pipe.

The heads and timing gear would all have to be removed, but this way its just the intake manifold and valley pan.

Ill keep the thread updated on how it goes.

[Ubatoid]

I would seriously do a bit more research first. I am certain the X5s are not affected by this issue with the pipe, but it is the valley pan gasket that goes. I too was dreading this happening to mine so spent a bit of time researching. I cant remember exactly which engines are affected because when I found out mine wouldnt be I stopped worrying and forgot about it. As I said, its much more likely to be the vally pan, which will cost you the price of a tube of sealant and some labour.

[Jamine16]

If thats the case then I can resell the bimmerpipe.

But a few people I have spoken to have seen it happen on the E53, I just think the N62 V8's aint that common compared to the 7 series.

I definitely have all the symtoms though. It doesn't leak once the engine is warm due to the rubber seal expanding.
But after sitting in the cold overnight it loses half a tank.

I forgot to mention that my X5 is currently on 86k miles.

[Jamine16]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
I would seriously do a bit more research first. I am certain the X5s are not affected by this issue with the pipe, but it is the valley pan gasket that goes. I too was dreading this happening to mine so spent a bit of time researching. I cant remember exactly which engines are affected because when I found out mine wouldnt be I stopped worrying and forgot about it. As I said, its much more likely to be the vally pan, which will cost you the price of a tube of sealant and some labour.
[/quote]

I notice you have a 2002. They have the earlier M62 lump, which is not effected.

Its just the facelift 2004-2006 and the E70 I believe.

[Jamine16]

My bimmer pipe finally arrived a couple of days ago.

It took 2 days for USPS to deliver it from the US to the UK, but it took parcel force 2 weeks to deliver it 10 miles down the road.

First impressions are very good. Its a quality piece of hardware and is well made. I will feel alot more comfortable with this in my engine over the original bmw pipe any day.

I purchased it from ebay and the seller is a top bloke. He marked the value down and stated it was gift in order to avoid extortionate customs charges.

Iv got the car booked into highams motor company next monday, so will update after the work is completed.

[Jamine16]

Just picked my car up from having the work done.

The overall cost was £1200

The seal on the end of pipe was completely corroded.

[SuperG]

I've had the same problem on my 2004 X5 V8.

I took it to Highams Park Motor Company and spoke with Clive. He confirmed that was the problem.

I suggested that there was a way of fixing it using the Bimmerfix kit. Clive hadn't tried this method before but he was full of confidence and said he would give it a go.

The bill actually came out less than Clive had estimated - That's the first time that's ever happened to me for a car repair.

I've been driving the car now for around 1 month and sat in heavy traffic for over one hour whilst queuing to go to an event. It's perfect, the temperature gauge is dead centre.

Although it's nearly a one hour drive for me to get there, this is where I'll be taking my car in future.

[AW8]

Thanks for sharing this info.

As the N62 repair with the modified kit is not widely known of in the U.K. it will provide some reassurance to others that someone in U.K. is ok to carry out this repair, in a capable manner & for a relatively fair price.

Glad car sorted.

[Pete]

Does anyone know the actual cost of the various ways of fixing this issue ?

I've noticed different methods from a stent to an expandable pipe but total costs (including labour) are unclear.

[henrym3]

The M62 V8 is effected with this problem, they also have a coolant pipe going from the pump to the accumulator at the back of the engine, they also have the valley pan leak problem which shows up by leaking through the weep holes and leaking down the front or rear of the engine. I just fixed my son's 4.4 (2003)The actual parts to fix this problem are 4 o ring seals and a tube of RTV. However nothing is ever that simple and cheap. you have to remove a load of stuff to get to it, which requires a certain amount of mechanical skill and then replace those gaskets as well when you put it back together but parts were well below £100. Father/son labour seem to work out at £0 per hour which is brilliant if your the son. While in that area the timing chain tensioners and guide rails were also changed but that's another story.