Help with unidentified coolant leak, [pics included]

Originally Posted by B8888KC

You should consider investing in a pressure pump so you can do a pressure test whenever you do a work on the radiator. E46s are vulnerable when it comes to fluid leaks, at least in my experience. I have replaced the expansion tank 3 times, the whole hose assembly once, even the cover thingy at the back of the engine and the water pump too. Have you replaced the oil and tranny cooler? You dont want the coolant or tranny fluid to go inside the engine

I think I could really benefit from one of those. My buddy may have one, I'll ask him today. But, I'm finding that the hose that enters the ET about 3/4 of the way down, not the lowest hose, but the one thats towards to bottom, that hose is the one I have that keeps letting go. I can't say for sure, but I feel like that hose can be pulled off the ET with just fingers even when its fully clamped. Not sure how to permanently correct that.

Originally Posted by bostonsc4

I think I could really benefit from one of those. My buddy may have one, I'll ask him today. But, I'm finding that the hose that enters the ET about 3/4 of the way down, not the lowest hose, but the one thats towards to bottom, that hose is the one I have that keeps letting go. I can't say for sure, but I feel like that hose can be pulled off the ET with just fingers even when its fully clamped. Not sure how to permanently correct that.

...new hose...

Plumber's tape. It fixed mine.



I did have to remove the ET to get to it.

You wrap the tape around the male end coming out of the ET right at the spot where it makes contact with the inside of the hose. I did probably 6 or 8 wraps.

Originally Posted by Schlag96

Plumber's tape. It fixed mine.



I did have to remove the ET to get to it.

You wrap the tape around the male end coming out of the ET right at the spot where it makes contact with the inside of the hose. I did probably 6 or 8 wraps.

I was fortunate enough to find someone willing enough to drive me back to campus tomorrow to help me fix it. I'm bringing some plumbers tape, and I just picked up some super heavy duty bond to itself stretch 3x its original state tape that I'll cover the entire connector with. Lets HOPE tomorrow is the day...

Originally Posted by bostonsc4

I was fortunate enough to find someone willing enough to drive me back to campus tomorrow to help me fix it. I'm bringing some plumbers tape, and I just picked up some super heavy duty bond to itself stretch 3x its original state tape that I'll cover the entire connector with. Lets HOPE tomorrow is the day...

Boat stores always sell stuff that is excellent for pipe fixes. Sounds like the tape you got is probably similar to what they sell. That **** will seal just about anything if you wrap it enough times and neatly enough.