So... I had to go to Jacksonville, FL yesterday to see my sister off to Australia (moving there for a year!) before heading back to Savannah today to put in a half day of work. The following events happened between yesterday and about an hour ago:
I had a pleasurable drive down there, although I need a balancing - small vibration at 80. Got into town, all was well.
Stopped at liquor store. All was well.
Pulled out of liquor store. All was no longer well.
As I accelerated slowly, the car hesitated several times. My sister didnt even noticed but I certainly did. Hoped it to be nothing. Before I got to my aunt/uncles house, it did it one more time.
I was worried about the drive back, but car was fine. Nothing happened, and even had some highway fun with a Roush Mustang (yet another mustang thats loud, but not fast). All was well
Got to the office, did some work. Drove home. Noticed it slightly coming into the gate of my complex. Now I was getting pissed.
Of course I got on here did some research, and decided to test the MAFs through the OBC. I drove around the parking lot for a while trying to get the car to do it again - of which I had no problem doing. When I was rolling in 1st or 2nd and would let off gas then go back on it would do it consistently.
Once car was warm, I pulled out to test the MAFs. At consistent speed and RPM I noticed the readings were dancing all around - up and down a good bit. Did a pull in 2nd and it got up to 118 L/Hr. Did it again and only got 105 or so. Tried a few more times and the readings were pretty inconsistent. Good I thought - just the MAFs. All was somewhat well.
As I make my uturn to get back to my place... "DING... CHECK COOLANT LEVEL." All was definitely not well again.
I pull back into my place. Now its hesitating alot - feels almost like clutch is slipping. Of course I just did some WOT pulls in 2nd and know that the clutch doesnt slip (only did the first week I had it, but that was my fault).
I park, pop the hood and smell coolant. I can see from the reservoir that the level is way down. I had some coolant/ antifreeze I had bought from Pep Boys a while back to take to the track just in case (before I learned that they dont like antifreeze on the track too much) and topped it off. I inspected everything in the engine compartment with a flashlight, looking down to the plastic cover and didnt see anything. My plan was to wait a bit then try again, when something caught my eye. A small stream had apparently starting flowing down the middle of my garage. (all is not well)
I look underneath the car and coolant is pouring out from several places in the plastic tray. Clearly I have a big leak somewhere and all is DEFINITELY NOT WELL.
I put the car up on ramps and removed part of the tray but still couldnt where it was leaking. My radiator looks fine. Car has never overheated and didnt run any warmer than unusual on my trip. No SES.
Thoughts, opinions, comments, suggestions? Its going into dealer tomorrow morning, but wanted to hear what the experts here say.
__________________ 2002 Carbon Black/ Caramel lightly modded - SOLD to board member
Biding my time...
How many miles are on the car? First plkace I woudl look would be the waterpump for the coolant leak. Very common failure on all BMWs arnd 60-80k miles. Please let us know how you make out and good luck!
Its sound to me like your car went into limp during the test you were doing hense the rpm rising with no forward movement which could be confused with the clutch slipping.
Just my 2 cents.
Second TCM's opinion on the waterpump. I know that on my E34 the waterpump can die with little warning and wouldn't be surprised if the E39 is similar.
Still doesn't explain your "rough" running though. Hopefully it's just your MAF's or similar- if you have a code reader try using it as it will store codes even if no "idiot" lights go off.
__________________ 1991 E34 M5
Dinan Stage III Suspension///Dinan Chip
Brembo Cross Drilled Rotors///HRE 340 Rims
Supersprint Exhaust///UUC Short Shifter
____________________________________ 2001 E39 M5
Dinan Front and Rear Brace///Dinan Software///Dinan Differential///Dinan Rear Swaybar///BP Sway bar braket///Tubi Exhaust
Brembo Front brake kit///UUC Short Shifter///UUC Clutch + Lightweight Flywheel///Rouge Engineering Tranny Mounts///UF Motorsports IATS///Koni front + rear
Its sound to me like your car went into limp during the test you were doing hense the rpm rising with no forward movement which could be confused with the clutch slipping.
Just my 2 cents.
Wouldn't limp mode be accompanied by an SES light? AAA will be here soon to pick the car up - I'll let yall know what happens. The good news is that I was rereading through my warranty this morning and water pump, radiator, and hoses of each are all covered. We'll see.
__________________ 2002 Carbon Black/ Caramel lightly modded - SOLD to board member
Biding my time...
Wouldn't limp mode be accompanied by an SES light? AAA will be here soon to pick the car up - I'll let yall know what happens. The good news is that I was rereading through my warranty this morning and water pump, radiator, and hoses of each are all covered. We'll see.
I have gone into limp mode with no lights, you can't go above 3000rpm the tacho will but you get no more power after that.
Linear Mode
