Why is my radiator leaking after I drained and refilled it?

Asked by Joschrestman Apr 20, 2020 at 06:05 PM about the 2005 BMW X3 2.5i AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello, my car was running hot, but not leaking
so I changed the thermostat. Then I pulled the
plug (adjust screw) at the bottom of the
radiator and drained it and replaced it. I filled
and added the flush. It ran right out on the
back side of the radiator about 3 inches
above the drain plug. I have taken the adjust
screw back out and wrapped it with plumbers
tape and still runs out. The spot it is running
out of is a hole like a divot or something. I feel
like it has something to do with the adjust
screw that is the drain. Okay I am a girl and I
don’t know a lot about cars, but I can fix a lot
things on them.  It’s the whole at the bottom
of this picture. Thanks

2 Answers
7,845

apbimmer98 answered 4 years ago

Is that the fan shroud, or the plastic piece under the coolant expansion tank? I don't think that divot is for anything, it's just part of the casting. When you drained the coolant, did you use the lower drain plug on the radiator? It's possible that you over tightened it and cracked it, they become brittle over time and can leak. Check it closely for any cracks.

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