coolant leak

[gyvrr]

On a 1987 258ci engine, I'm finding a puddle of coolant on top, in the valley over where 4 & 5 exhaust exit, outside the valve cover. I don't see any coolant in the oil. Don't have milky oil. Lose about a pint a week. PO had engine rebuilt and may? have broken through head bolt hole? There aren't any valve bolt holes on this side. Short of RTV'n the head bolt, anyone have a clue? Pressure checked engine and it held pressure for hours.....

 

[Torxhead]

One thing to check would be a nearby coolant hose, could be a tiny pinhole leak. Watching your engine run for awhile while hot would be another.

 

[gutthans]

Yep, check the hose runs for leaks on the underside (like Torx mentioned), Also, look for at the fitting of the upper hose to the thermo neck and the thermo housing...looseness there could cause a dribble that will run back down the side or top of cover. It'll drop to the valley when it gets to the oil fill hole, of just run along the side until the air from the radiator disperses (depending on your specific valve cover).