Low Coolant Alarm after Dealer Check

[Huz-Z]

Hey guys. So I picked up my 2012 X5 35i on Friday at the dealer just before they closed. In addition to putting on the summer rims and tires, they did a 55 point inspection for me and i asked them to look at the steering pump and belt tensioner. Other than those things and tie rods, all of which my warranty covers , no serious issues were identified to me and I was told my car was fine for the long weekend here in Canada. Less than an hour later and after about 15 or 20 minutes driving, I had a low coolant alarm. Dealer was closed by then. I have never had this issue with the car and believe this can’t be a coincidence. Car has 62,000 miles on it. I just topped it up with generic all purpose fluid and drove back to the dealer tonight with coolant leaking from the expansion tank. Cap did not seem tightened to the click point when I opened it to inspect and top up. Thoughts?

An Unhappy Camper

[Huz-Z]

Dealer advises that the tank has a small crack. Is it possible for the expansion tank to crack on its own? Do you think that the tank cracking immediately after a service visit is just bad luck?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Dealer advises that the tank has a small crack. Is it possible for the expansion tank to crack on its own? Do you think that the tank cracking immediately after a service visit is just bad luck?

I usually don't side with dealers but in your case It sounds like it was just bad luck. The expansion tank is NOTORIOUS for cracking. I had it happen to me, the replacement tanks are better made now but the originals cracked all the time, especially at the top.

[Huz-Z]

Thanks for the reply! That’s good information to be aware of.