Expert: Don Berlan - 12/31/2007

Question
i recently acquired a 2000 bmw 540i with 72500 miles waterpump recently replaced car drives well and cool until i stop then steam comes up from hood . added coolent and used bleeder valve still get check coolent msg. no leaks from radiator steam seems to come from water pump and steam seems to come from upper left side of engine conpartment .Last night took my family to dinner ,when we arrived the car was steaming from hood,i later checked and found water dripping from rear of engine car was parked on foward slant yet was leaking from there ,don;t have any previous matience records .can you help?

Answer
Well I think you'll have to pull the transmission if the leak is towards the rear.I have found that the gasket on the back of the 4.0 leaking.The gasket is not much money but the labor to replace it mignt be scary as the transmission needs to be removed as well as the flywheel.