I mean, will it cause the motor to blow up eventually? Or is it a nuisance type of leak? I've read mostly writeups on how to repair the issue, but haven't really read any posts about people saying it caused their engine to blow up or break down. How do people come about to find that they have the valley pan coolant issue?

most common clue: recurrent CHECK COOLANT message without any visible/obvious signs of any leaks, often making people wonder...where the heck is the coolant going???
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/jeckles933/valleyPanleak.jpg


Hope coolant will NOT find a way into the engine
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/bjames38/Cylinder.jpg

I believe my valley pan gasket is leaking because I have begun to get a recurring "Check Coolant Level" warning. The coolant level is actually a little low (just enough for the gage to drop) when the warning occurs but I recently changed the oil and know that it is/was free of coolant. I'm not sure about potential damage to the engine other than overheating if you let it go long enough without topping your coolant off, but I do worry about what on the outside of the engine is being effected by the (corrosive) antifreeze. As such, I have plans in the works to pull the intake to do the valley pan, intake gaskets and OSV as soon as I replace the valve cover gasket and chase down a fuel leak in my M3.

I'm currently not getting any of those coolant warnings but now think thats probably a good indicator. Is there any premptive service you can do to prevent this? Or should all e38 owners expect to fix this at some point?

most common clue: recurrent CHECK COOLANT message without any visible/obvious signs of any leaks, often making people wonder...where the heck is the coolant going???

Pics Deleted

Hope coolant will NOT find a way into the engine


So what if one gets the Coolant Level Low warning and you consistently check the level and the oil and there's no indication of coolant loss or coolant in oil? Possibly a sensor?

yea probabl a sensor on yours, but i had my valley pan replaced about 3k miles ago just to be safe...had my waterpump, thermostat, intake manifold gaskets, and fuel injectors done as well

I'm currently not getting any of those coolant warnings but now think thats probably a good indicator. Is there any premptive service you can do to prevent this? Or should all e38 owners expect to fix this at some point?

I spoke with an Indy in my area about this and according to him it is a common problem that all E38s experience. We were discussing intake gasket leaks and he said it is recommended to replace the valley pan gasket when you replace the intake gaskets (or vice-versa) since the top of the engine is apart anyway and if one or the other isnt leaking yet, it will eventually.:(

So what if one gets the Coolant Level Low warning and you consistently check the level and the oil and there's no indication of coolant loss or coolant in oil? Possibly a sensor?


My suggestion: have a pressure test done! Best way to locate/identify any possiible cause/source for leaks!

The reason you usually dont see it is because the coolant run off from a valley pan gasket leak is through intentionally made weep holes towards the rear of the motor, and then it runs around the transmission, which would usually burn it off before you park, therefore leaving no puddles. Like mentioned, it is something all E32/E38 owners have had to eventually replace, and since it involves removing the intake manifold, it's best to do that, manifold gaskets, throttle body gaskets, and the rear manifold plate gaskets all at the same time.

Possibly not ALL E32 and E38 owners... :) I'm not aware of it being a problem on the V-12 engines in 750's. It certainly isn't a problem in the inline 6 735's. :lol

damnit!, got my car up on the lift right now and I found some coolant around the transmission bellhousing, at first i thought it was the coolant tube that runs between the back of the cylinder heads, but after reading this and seeeing the above posted pictures, I now know that it is indeed the valley pan gasket:(



*Also just checked the casting number on the engine block..................Nikasil FTL!!!!!! :(

nope not a prob on my 735