|
|
|
01-03-2011, 07:47 PM | #23 | |
European Editor
10589
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Quote:
I think that is because when the car is new there are some air pockets trapped in the engine. It take some time for the car to "burb" itself. Also... I suspect that the turbos when shut down hot... use some coolant in the cool down process. I think this is where everyones coolant is dissapearing. My coolant float was about an inch low... when I topped it back up... it took almost one liter of coolant! I've been checking it at each oil change and all is fine. The coolant level remains the same now. Don't really know why. Perhaps it is like the one or two liters of oil everyones 135i's seem to use when new. Once you get past 15K miles, this tends to stop. Dackel |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-04-2011, 08:38 AM | #24 |
First BMW
5
Rep 87
Posts |
I have a 128, so can't be a turbo issue. If you put in a liter when the float was 1" low, I wouldn't think 1/4" low would require adding yet. Will keep an eye on it to see if it goes lower over time.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-29-2011, 05:22 PM | #25 |
Major
42
Rep 1,177
Posts |
__________________
Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth
Performance: JB4|BMW PE|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals|Black Kidney Grill |
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2012, 04:40 PM | #26 |
Moderator
29454
Rep 13,110
Posts |
Cross-reference to a BMW 1M thread regarding an "Engine coolant level too low" warning:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=763388 Consider getting a spare bottle of engine coolant. Might come in handy in case of need.
__________________
///M is art ↔ Artemis
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2012, 10:40 PM | #27 |
bimmerphile, technogeek
998
Rep 3,784
Posts
Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SoCal
|
Doesn't Pentosin have BMW's blessing as well?
http://www.pentosin.net/f_antifreeze.asp For all we know, Pentosin could be the OEM for BMW...?
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-05-2013, 11:53 AM | #28 |
First Lieutenant
85
Rep 354
Posts |
just an fyi, my indicator on the N55 looks different, not red float in there, just a weird sign
i'll try to take a pic of it tomorrow
__________________
135i N55 / KW V3 / MHD Flash / Tons of grip mods / CP-E charge pipe / CP-E 7" FMIC
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-15-2013, 05:49 PM | #31 |
Captain
59
Rep 913
Posts |
I know I am resurrecting this, but just found this vid which explains how to check the coolant. What the guy in the vid is saying, is what I'd expect based on the diagram on the coolant reservoir - which is a little different than what has been said in this thread for the most part.
Basically, when cold the coolant dipstick should pop out of the reservoir to indicate things are fully filled. If it is just flush with the top, you could stand to add coolant. I noticed my radiator fan was going nuts (and it is not even that hot). Checked the level and my float is below the threads right now. Guess I'll add a bit of distilled water, can't get any bmw coolant until Monday. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2013, 04:56 AM | #32 | |
European Editor
10589
Rep 22,992
Posts |
my "sailboat light" is on, what does that mean?
Quote:
Well... I guess we know now not to take our cars into Dan Jacobs BMW! ...just kidding! That is not the correct way to check the coolant. It says so right on the coolant exp tank/res. You always want to check the coolant level bone cold, not when its hot(like in that video)!! That is why the coolant dip stick popped up like that. Defending the dealer... its hard for them to work on a cold engine, bc everyone just drives to them and say HEY my coolant is low(my "sailboat light" is on, what does that mean?)... so thats probably why they made this video like this. They should have been more clear on the procedures though. Here is what the coolant level (dip)stick should be when cold....
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2013, 02:05 PM | #33 |
Captain
59
Rep 913
Posts |
I dunno.
That diagram to me reads: check when cold (which is what the guy in the video said he did - or rather he said never check when hot), the min cold level will be when the float is even with the top of the threads and the max cold level is when the float is popping out an inch or so. The diagram says nothing about the max level being a 'hot level'. Even the owners manual page you included says (on step 3) the level is correct if it is between the min and max marks... Which to me reads, if it is at the min mark you are barely okay, so add some fluid. the guy in the video says this as well. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2013, 02:39 PM | #34 | |
European Editor
10589
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Quote:
IF you look at the two "dots" on the stick-like float... when its full the stick would never pop up as far as shown in that video. In the video I think its obvious the engine was hot. Or at least fairly hot, not cold. Go check yours and report back. But don't burn your hands. Btw... its a good idea to put some grease or petroleum jelly on the coolant cap. Its something everyone should do but no one really does. Thats what makes the cap so hard to remove. Also... when you re-install the car keep tightening it until you hear a "CLICK", then its on.
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-16-2013, 02:59 PM | #35 | |
Captain
59
Rep 913
Posts |
Quote:
My float was about and 1 to 1.25 inches below the min level. It took about .75L to get it to the max level. For fun, I kept going to see how much it would take to get the float out all the way (as in the video). It took about another .5L and there still looked to be a decent amount of room left in the over flow tank. I sucked out the extra fluid using my antifreeze strength tester. Bottom line, I suspect it would not be a big deal if, when cold, you fill so the float is out all the way. Can't imagine .5L in a multi-gallon system would make much of a difference. My cap does not click - it kinda 'slides' into place and will not turn anymore. The arrow on the cap lines up with the arrow on the reservoir. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2013, 05:52 AM | #36 |
Lieutenant
57
Rep 552
Posts |
I agree... my cap also slides then clicks... it doesn't seem to really want to engage in the threads. Also, when I last checked (over the weekend) the top of the top bubble seemed about 1-1.5inch below the top of the threads. I really should top up - but how come my car doesn't tell me my coolant is low? Is it not low enough to trigger the sensor?
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-10-2014, 02:24 PM | #38 |
New Member
0
Rep 15
Posts |
Thanks for this thread; my low coolant light came on the other day so I did a little web search which led here. About 3 cups of distilled water brought the red float back to where it needed to be and turned the light off. If I run low again, I'll get some proper coolant and do a 50/50 mix.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-22-2014, 11:55 PM | #40 |
Admiral of the Fleet
265
Rep 3,552
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-02-2014, 11:53 AM | #41 |
European Editor
10589
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Fall/Winter bump
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-08-2015, 02:05 AM | #42 | ||
Colonel
628
Rep 2,808
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
. . Sorry, but I agree with foghat too and think you're wrong in terms of the max cold level float indicator... Here's another video also that shows clearly the float stick and how its top sticks out of the expansion tank when full, just like the diagram on the car shows... |
||
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2015, 09:10 AM | #43 |
Lieutenant
21
Rep 488
Posts
Drives: E92 2011 335xi
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: salt lake city
|
missing the dip stick
ive been getting the low coolant warning for the last 3 days. checked it today and theres no dip stick in there? WTH?
__________________
2011 E92 335xi,
Cobb ProTune, Cobb FMIC, Catless DP, BMW Performance Exhaust, aFe stage 2 intake, BMS Chargepipe, Alpina B3 - BUT NOT ENOUGH POWER! |
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2015, 10:50 AM | #44 |
Lieutenant
121
Rep 505
Posts |
|
Appreciate
1
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|