Slow loss of coolant

[mr2garageswindon]

Just a heads up really, I've had a couple of 2's in recently with low coolant level.
Both times I have found the metal spring hose clips that go from the rubber hose to the underbody coolant pipes (At the front of the car)  badly corroded and weeping.
Nice easy fix undo a quality jubilee clip wrap it round the hose, move old rusty clip to where you can cut or break it.
Tighten new clip in old position.. No coolant loss happy days.

Worth a look next time you are under the car

[MrChris]

Great tip thanks for sharing. Will take a look at mine when (if) it stops raining.

[Dev]

Good share. I was playing to replace the coolant reservoir bottle with a new one because I am worried that the plastic has become too brittle. At this time I will make it a point to inspect all of the hoses and clamps.
 

[Joesson]

Good share. I was playing to replace the coolant reservoir bottle with a new one because I am worried that the plastic has become too brittle. At this time I will make it a point to inspect all of the hoses and clamps.
 

Not sure what year your car is Dev but would I be correct in thinking that, as you have not had reason to check those coolant hoses, you have not needed to replace the radiator?
My OE radiator sprung a leak some years ago, just after a refill by Mr T with his, very expensive, long life coolant.
At that time I changed the rad for an aftermarket unit together with Jubilee type hose clamps.
For some time after that I encouraged new Members to check their radiator for leaks at the bottom rear left side as that was the place others reported the same problem.
If your rad is OE that is lasting very well.

[McMr2]

That's weird. I was doing a service on my daily car and spotted a rusty clip on a coolant hose under the engine. I wondered if it would eventually lead to a leak and this confirms so!

Good tip, I'm sure this will save some headaches.

[Dev]

Not sure what year your car is Dev but would I be correct in thinking that, as you have not had reason to check those coolant hoses, you have not needed to replace the radiator?
My OE radiator sprung a leak some years ago, just after a refill by Mr T with his, very expensive, long life coolant.
At that time I changed the rad for an aftermarket unit together with Jubilee type hose clamps.
For some time after that I encouraged new Members to check their radiator for leaks at the bottom rear left side as that was the place others reported the same problem.
If your rad is OE that is lasting very well.

My car was born in the summer of 1999. The car has 155k miles.  The entire coolant system is original and looks fine including the clamps. Only the coolant overflow looks old and not as translucent as a new one. I could probably get another 2 years out of it I think as not that weak compared to others I have seen but I think its would be a good time for replacement.

When it comes to general inspection of the hoses I know what I am looking for and they are all in great condition unlike a previous BMW where two of the hoses lost its integrity and had to be replaced at 70k miles.
 
 I also know of many locals some that have many more miles then mine and none of them had a radiator or hose replacement. It must be a corrosion issue that is endemic for your region.

[Mollydog]

This is a good point, we had the rad replaced a few years back due to the original one split open letting out all the coolant while we were seeing friends over a hundred miles from home, we had to have the recovery vehicle take us home

Then at MOT time last December the tester mentioned there was slight coolant weeping at the driver side hose that goes to the rad, maybe ours too has rusted up

I'll replace the original spring clip with one of these T bolts (as I have done on the Elise)

[1979scotte]

Had the same issue on a few of mine.
Easy fix as you say.

[Joesson]

Had the same issue on a few of mine.
Easy fix as you say.

Good to know your still keeping an eye on things on here Scotte, like I say to the New Members " Don't be a stranger".

[normanh]

3 years back I suffered a more serious leak when one of the clips let go and lost about 1 1/2 litres lucky enough I had a litre in the car and was a short distance from home on. Leaked on the A13 Five Bells London bound carriageway, replaced the pair.No issues since.

Norman