[callme550]

Have a bit of a dilemma... I have a new 2023 M550, and have a strong coolant smell coming from the drivers side cowl right every time I get out of the car. I smell it occasionally in the vehicle while driving. I have taken it into the dealer, and they found nothing. Think they looked it over and did a pressure test. Anyone else have the same problem, or had trouble locating leaks? I just don't think my nose is lying here.

[Joe-BMW33]

If you smell it after a drive, it’s most likely a line slowly leaking on the valley pan and burning off. It is very common for the dealer to find nothing or have it pass a pressure test. Unfortunately it will become more of a leak over time and then it will be obvious to the dealer. It probably super small right now.

Have you had to add coolant?

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by callme550

Have a bit of a dilemma... I have a new 2023 M550, and have a strong coolant smell coming from the drivers side cowl right every time I get out of the car. I smell it occasionally in the vehicle while driving. I have taken it into the dealer, and they found nothing. Think they looked it over and did a pressure test. Anyone else have the same problem, or had trouble locating leaks? I just don't think my nose is lying here.

considering its a 23, how many miles on the car? are you just breaking it in?

[callme550]

It's got almost 8K miles on it so far. I changed the oil at the 5K mark, and they mentioned the coolant was a bit low. Apparently they tell me the coolant level is fine, but cars in my experience don't consume coolant, and when I have driven cars where I smell it, it generally leaking somewhere. Thanks guys!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by callme550

It's got almost 8K miles on it so far. I changed the oil at the 5K mark, and they mentioned the coolant was a bit low. Apparently they tell me the coolant level is fine, but cars in my experience don't consume coolant, and when I have driven cars where I smell it, it generally leaking somewhere. Thanks guys!

Spot on, cars do not consume coolant in a matter of months. It takes a few years for some to evaporate.

Coolant leaks are the main issue of all M550’s. It’s well documented. Dealer will tell you consumption is normal after making them aware you had to add coolant. They will half look for a leak, then at some point the leak will become larger and more evident. I guarantee you have burn off residue on the valley pan.

For me, I had similar issues, adding coolant etc. Then I started to smell a strong odor coming into the cabin through the vents. It burned my nose and eyes. Brought it right in and they replaced all the rubber turbo coolant lines with upgraded brained aluminum ones.

Given you have a 2023 which should have been delivered with the updated lines, if this is your issue, it’s definitely concerning as I hoped the replacements were bullet proof.

Keep us posted.

[AP]

it may be the reservoirs.
my 2017 540 had that issue (and seems to be a common issue) . Just a small leak so it took a while to show up. With a torch, you might find some residue in the engine compartment.

I'd like to think BMW had fixed this by model year 2023 but who knows.

Either way, bmw should fix that for free

[E3_550]

My 2022 550 was exhibiting the same symptoms as yours. The coolant tank had a leak and was replaced. This is a common issue, my SA showed me the old tank and it was leaking at one of the seams.

would be nice if an aftermarket manufacturer could make one out of aluminum.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by callme550

Have a bit of a dilemma... I have a new 2023 M550, and have a strong coolant smell coming from the drivers side cowl right every time I get out of the car. I smell it occasionally in the vehicle while driving. I have taken it into the dealer, and they found nothing. Think they looked it over and did a pressure test. Anyone else have the same problem, or had trouble locating leaks? I just don't think my nose is lying here.

Welcome to the coolant club.
My 2020 has been to the dealer 3x for this. Every time the SA tells me it's "normal" for M550's to lose coolant. As if i'm going to believe it.
All they do is pressure test the system and say its good. Even though you can smell coolant and they've had to clean the "V" portion of the engine for burnt coolant. Eventually the tank will crack enough so they have to replace it.
It's bullshit BMW has not issued a TSB for this. So many people having the same issue.

[adhrp]

Had a low coolant warning on my 2020 M550i a few months ago. Didn't realize I was losing coolant as I did not spot any leaks or smell anything. My SA was great though - he immediately diagnosed an expansion tank leak and replace it. This is one of the biggest KIs on the M550i, I am surprised dealers are so reluctant to address it.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Had a low coolant warning on my 2020 M550i a few months ago. Didn't realize I was losing coolant as I did not spot any leaks or smell anything. My SA was great though - he immediately diagnosed an expansion tank leak and replace it. This is one of the biggest KIs on the M550i, I am surprised dealers are so reluctant to address it.

Sounds like you had a good dealer and SA. Honestly, it such a common issue, there are only a few areas to look at (tanks and turbo lines) that you would think they would be zoned in on it. It’s warranty work most of the time.

They love to inspect the flex disk for the same reasons.

In all fairness, the dealer for me that dismissed it as “normal consumption” was the dealer I bought the car at. I thought I’d bring it back to them to do them a solid for the sale. That lasted one visit before I went to my trusted long time service dealer who diagnosed and repaired my lines first time in. I did have the nose burning and eye watering smell though.

[Flint Rockbone]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Given you have a 2023 which should have been delivered with the updated lines, if this is your issue, it’s definitely concerning as I hoped the replacements were bullet proof.

Are the updated lines standard on all TU3 engines or is it specific to certain years?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Flint Rockbone

Are the updated lines standard on all TU3 engines or is it specific to certain years?

I honestly don't know the answer to that. I think it's more about when they discovered the weakness or admitted the design flaw. I am pretty sure 2020's came with the rubber lines and they have the TU3.

[Zwmack]

[QUOTE="Joe-BMW33;30617811"]Sounds like you had a good dealer and SA. Honestly, it such a common issue, there are only a few areas to look at (tanks and turbo lines) that you would think they would be zoned in on it. It’s warranty work most of the time.

They love to inspect the flex disk for the same reasons.

In all fairness, the dealer for me that dismissed it as “normal consumption” was the dealer I bought the car at. I thought I’d bring it back to them to do them a solid for the sale. That lasted one visit before I went to my trusted long time service dealer who diagnosed and repaired my lines first time in. I did have the nose burning and eye watering smell though.

What's the Flex Disk? What's it's purpose?

I have the same issue with the coolant. My third party warranty is sending an inspector to BMW verify it needs replacement 🙄