Coolant sign on - dealer says to just add water...really???

[Matador]

I have an 08 135i with 10k on it - The coolant sign came on yesterday . I called the dealership to ask whether i should add only BMW approved coolant and they said to just add water !!! WTF?? the car is a little over 2 years old i though may be it was time to flush , change the coolant and check for leaks . Any similar experiences ???

[doublevanosrc]

I've been through the same thing with previous bimmers as along as its a low amount it should be ok to top off with some water.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Time to flush. Dealer should have specified distilled water. I take mine to the shop as tap is always bad and deionized doesn't remove the offending valent contaminants which will form deposits if nothing else.

BMW cooling systems are notoriously marginal, so changing out every two years is good preventative maintenance and may extend water pump life.

That's what i thought thanks for the insight

[john08135i]

Mine did that and when i checked it it was dry as a bone..

i added distilled water.. never had anything come from it.

[Tom K.]

Prior to about 2005, BMW specified a 4 year interval for coolant changes so one change was covered under 4 yr maintenance. Now it's considered "lifetime", so while you may wish to change it, it will be on your dime.

Tom

[DriveHard]

BMW has deemed the coolant in our cars to be "lifetime" and under the full maint program, they will no longer be flushed / bleed and refilled as a normal course of maint.

Thats the bad news ...

The good news is that theses coolant systems are so fickel that somewhere along the lines something will leak and we get a coolant flush in disguise.
If you need to "top-off" and you dont have the almight distilled water at hand, then just use bottled water.. most of us have them in the house...

I for one have topped off with garden hose water a million times....and no the car s havent inploded and melted to the ground in a distilled fog of furry..

too each there own i guess..

p.s a coolant flush at the dealer with the proper bleeding will run about 1.2 hrs plus the coolant...

[soupy]

Yup, just get a jug of distilled water from a Rite-Aid, CVS, supermarket to top it off if you don't feel like dropping by the dealer (they should top off for free). Distilled water actually transfers heat better than coolant, it just has no anti-freeze properties. On motorcycle track days distilled water is all I run since they won't allow ethylene glycol coolants and it runs cooler with just water.

[Lexington]

Dealer quoted me $150 for coolant flush and refill. SA suggested waiting till the 3 yr mark.

[Feyd]

in the 2+ years of ownership, I've had to add coolant twice. The first time it took nearly half a jug to fill it back up. Took it to the dealer for a checkup and they said it had no leaks anywhere.

Second time it probably took about 2 cups to fill it back up... still no leaks.

As others have stated, water is fine... but next time you are at the dealer, it might not hurt to pick up a jug of coolant... Because there will be a next time.

[TunedM2C]

Happened to me just recently and I ran by the dealership for a free top off of this and washer fluid.

[teddyb]

Originally Posted by maxnix

And that's the bottom line on the BMW "free maintenance." All future failures are accelerated just enough to be on your dime or the subsequent owner's, not BMW's dime.

Just another reason to lease 'em!!

[Dackelone]

When I made my little "DIY Checking & adding engine coolant DIY" my car's coolant was almost ONE LITER low! It did not look that low. I used BMW's special coolant for my car. I had gone to the dealer to buy some... but they just gave it to me! I think your relationship with your dealer might be a little bit different IF they say just to use some water.


DIY Checking & adding engine coolant DIY

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401672


Dackel

[mryakanisachoad]

you could literally be down just a cap full. check it.

my low coolant water warning light has come on 2x in 3 years and i just put a few ounces of "wetter water" in both times and it topped off.

[mryakanisachoad]

i see you live in D.C.

doesn't get crazy cold there too often so you would have zero issue with adding 100% distilled water to however much your down. besides, anything more than 2 quarts and you probably have a leak.

bonus is your car will be much cooler in the summer with a higher water concentration.

[brow0814]

Being a capful low- in the extreme cold has caused my light to pop on, but once warmed up and leaving my destination it goes off. Level is right at the MIN. Too bad I can't just use the "green stuff"

[new128]

Originally Posted by Tuned1

Happened to me just recently and I ran by the dealership for a free top off of this and washer fluid.

Don't know how far away your dealership is, but did your "free" topoff consider the gas to get there and your time? Surely adding water and washer fluid is a DIY item (these items are so cheap, they are almost free).
Maybe some people like visiting their dealer . Personally, the more I can avoid going back to the dealer, the better .

[mryakanisachoad]

Originally Posted by brow0814

Being a capful low- in the extreme cold has caused my light to pop on, but once warmed up and leaving my destination it goes off. Level is right at the MIN. Too bad I can't just use the "green stuff"

i'll probably get barked at but you can make your own bmw coolant with "wetter water" and distilled water.

in a pinch.

you can get wetter water almost anywhere.