[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

Mine had the leaky expansion tank, too. They didn'/t find that while they were doing the coolant lines/;'heat exchanger job. Coolant warning light didn't come on but I monitored the level visually and told them it was dropping. They then replaced the tank.

Car is still at the dealer as parts did not come in yesterday. I just asked them to inspect the expansion tank too and noted that the leak could be so slow it never hits the ground but pools inside the fender.

[Joe-BMW33]

Update:
Picked up the car yesterday morning. I started it in the service entrance bay and I could smell coolant, but it was faint and I assumed it was residual. This dealer is about 30 miles from work, so I headed back. I could still smell the faint smell and was hoping it would burn off. I don't think I came to one stop from the dealer to exit, but when I came off the exit to a stop, it became strong again, which told me it was not burning off and the lack of movement of the car exposed it more. I was annoyed to say the least, but frankly used to BMW's lack of first time repair and quality control. This is NOT the first time the "repaired" an issue and I picked it up unrepaired, so I have grown to accept it. Drove back at lunch and left it running. My SA came out and she immediately agreed with the smell of strong coolant. She apologized and told be she had one of her best techs on my car. I was calm, what am I going to do. At this point, I am not sure whether the turbo coolant lines were not installed correctly, whether they were and there is another leak, whether the coolant lines were even leaking to begin with and it was something else? Etc. I know the story will go like this, the coolant line were leaking and part X started leaking as well but it wasn't when they finished and it is a coincidence. Anyway, I had an X4 for a loaner for the first "repair" which besides being maybe THE ugliest BMW, it was well equipped. Now I am in a 228xi, UGH.

[HerkHealer]

Hey Joe, When my car was topped off with coolant and they cleaned that "valley" area it was stinky for about a day then went away. I think it was just residual crap they spilled or something.

Mark

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks. I wonder if they will find the same. I kind of hope they do. It's in, so why not do as much as possible.

Unfortunately, none of the product bulletins are "recalls" but warranty when they fail...so BMW dealers are constrained with the warranty process of "proving" there is an active issue with the component. While the idea of "while you are in there" makes total sense to even the dealer, they risk not being reimbursed for the work from BMWNA. BMWNA can say they did not follow the warranty process of documenting there is current problem with the component they replaced. Having spoken to both the service advisor and part dept folks at my local BMW dealership, it is clear BMWNA is very much the stickler about documentation...they don't want to pay for anything more than necessary...

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Hey Joe, When my car was topped off with coolant and they cleaned that "valley" area it was stinky for about a day then went away. I think it was just residual crap they spilled or something.

Mark

That was my first thought but the work order above says he cleaned it up. I thought about waiting a few days, but I am up against time with summer tires and the snow this week. I was just ready to shut this car down for the winter and put a tender on it.

That said, I am kind of expecting to hear today that they tested everything and it is fine and it is burn off. The question is will they be right.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

Unfortunately, none of the product bulletins are "recalls" but warranty when they fail...so BMW dealers are constrained with the warranty process of "proving" there is an active issue with the component. While the idea of "while you are in there" makes total sense to even the dealer, they risk not being reimbursed for the work from BMWNA. BMWNA can say they did not follow the warranty process of documenting there is current problem with the component they replaced. Having spoken to both the service advisor and part dept folks at my local BMW dealership, it is clear BMNA is very much the stickler about documentation...they don't want to pay for anything more than necessary...

Thanks Dave. As you can see from my WO above, doesn't look like they did any extras or preventative stuff. There was a day when the dealer would go to town on a car under warranty. This probably why they can't anymore and are under a microscope.

[Joe-BMW33]

They just called, they said they did their best to clean off all the coolant from the engine valley but it was impossible to get it all off. They said all checked out and that it could take a few hundred miles to burn off.

I guess this makes sense.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

They just called, they said they did their best to clean off all the coolant from the engine valley but it was impossible to get it all off. They said all checked out and that it could take a few hundred miles to burn off.

I guess this makes sense.

Yep. I also had some funky smell coming through the vents with A/C on. That also went away. I'm guessing it had to do with whatever they used to clean.

I'm hoping my smell/leak is over, but I will definitely be watching closely......as I'm sure you will as well.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Yep. I also had some funky smell coming through the vents with A/C on. That also went away. I'm guessing it had to do with whatever they used to clean.

I'm hoping my smell/leak is over, but I will definitely be watching closely......as I'm sure you will as well.

Thanks Mark. I got to say, I think by the time I got home it was completely gone. I guess I wish they just told me this at the first pickup, but all is good.