No coolant dipstick in reservoir?

[Cheeze1]

Hi guys - 2013 135i DCT with a little over 11k miles, low coolant light came on so I go to check the coolant level. Other threads as well as my owner's manual show there should be a floating stick inside the coolant reservoir to measure the level, however there is definitely nothing inside mine other than a (fixed in-place) small plastic yellow circle with min/max on it. I'm assuming I just fill to the top of the yellow marker, but the fact that my owner's manual shows a floating dipstick of some sort makes me worried. Like I said only 11k miles on the car so this is the first time the reservoir has been opened. Is this normal on the n55s? Took almost a full quart of coolant / 50-50 distilled water to bring it up to the yellow circle.

This is after I had already added almost a full quart:

[e36addict]

It's normal. The 1ers don't have the floater like some others have. I have to add about a pint every oil change or so..

[Cheeze1]

Originally Posted by e36addict

It's normal. The 1ers don't have the floater like some others have. I have to add about a pint every oil change or so..

OK great, thanks for confirming. I was just thrown by the owner's manual still showing it.

[MightyMouseTech]

I believe that yellow max/min actually moves. Guess that would be the "floating" thing?

[e36addict]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I believe that yellow max/min actually moves. Guess that would be the "floating" thing?

Nope, it doesn't move. Just another thing BMW cheaped out on.. The new MINI's are the same way.

[Miko226]

That is strange how do you know then? Is there now a electronic dipstick like oil? or do you only know if the low coolant light comes on?

[Rob.K]

Originally Posted by Cheeze1

Hi guys - 2013 135i DCT with a little over 11k miles, low coolant light came on so I go to check the coolant level. Other threads as well as my owner's manual show there should be a floating stick inside the coolant reservoir to measure the level, however there is definitely nothing inside mine other than a (fixed in-place) small plastic yellow circle with min/max on it. I'm assuming I just fill to the top of the yellow marker, but the fact that my owner's manual shows a floating dipstick of some sort makes me worried. Like I said only 11k miles on the car so this is the first time the reservoir has been opened. Is this normal on the n55s? Took almost a full quart of coolant / 50-50 distilled water to bring it up to the yellow circle.

This is after I had already added almost a full quart:

Looks like you're good now. Fluid level is above the "min" and below "max"

[e36addict]

Originally Posted by Miko226

That is strange how do you know then? Is there now a electronic dipstick like oil? or do you only know if the low coolant light comes on?

You have to look down in there to see the level.. Otherwise the coolant level sensor will get triggered eventually.

[gregthegr8]

The only thing to be cognizant of with these newer ones is that the low coolant light DOES NOT come on when the coolant gets below that MIN line as you'd expect it to. It doesn't come on until it's really really low. And since the N55s seem to like to drink the coolant kool aid, best thing to do is just to check it every 2-3 months and top it off as there's such a miniscule difference between the min and max levels.

[Reapur]

Just for reference, my n54 has a floating brown level stick.

[methodz]

I had to add coolant today. I checked for leaks and didn't see anything. Should I be worried or is this just normal behavior of this engine? Thanks guys!

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by methodz

I had to add coolant today. I checked for leaks and didn't see anything. Should I be worried or is this just normal behavior of this engine? Thanks guys!

How long since the last time you checked coolant? In my experience, there is some normal, very small leakage/consumption on almost all coolant systems. I have to put in like a quart every 12-18 months for my N54 335. No data on the N55 135 yet since we just got it this year. I haven't put any in since I topped it off in March when we got it.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Reapur

Just for reference, my n54 has a floating brown level stick.

There is a scatological joke here...Sorry...I've feeling like my twelve-year-old self this AM...

[Jorgensen54]

Originally Posted by AndyW

There is a scatological joke here...Sorry...I've feeling like my twelve-year-old self this AM...

You were holding that in for 2 years? You must be relieved

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Jorgensen54

You were holding that in for 2 years? You must be relieved

Touche!