Road Trip

parnet17 · 09-30-2020, 06:50 AM

Son and I took a drive starting at the Skyline Drive in Virginia to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, and the rest of the mountain roads up there. Very little traffic on all the roads so we were able to haul ass. Stayed at a couple of neat places, Otter Creek Lodge, Little Switzerland Inn, and rented a cabin in Bryson City. Had a blast only 1 small hiccup. When we pulled into Little Switzerland got low cooling light. Added 12oz bottle of spring water, still low so the next day went looking for antifreeze, closest BMW dealer about 1hr away but found a Napa close by and bough Zerex G48 50/50 mix, said for use in BMW's, and added another 12oz. Couldn't fine any sign of a leak. Car has 60k miles and I guess it's time for a system flush with BMW antifreeze. Is it normal to loose almost a quart in 60k miles? Don't track it and seldom beat on it.

dtla1 · 09-30-2020, 11:23 AM

Sounds like a fun trip!!

I know you said no signs of a leak.... but did you look around and below the expansion tank? Most common issue i've seen is a cracked/leaking tank. The top (lid) of the tank and the body are plastic welded together and they seem to fail at that weld point. Usually hard to see any signs unless you take a close look with a flashlight all around and maybe behind the tank as well.

JimD · 10-03-2020, 11:43 AM

My son and I did a long one day trip up to the tail of the dragon and back, using twisty roads as much as possible shortly after I got mine. I later drove the Blue Ridge Parkway from the southern to northern end in 2 or 3 days, can't remember which. Both were fun trips. I've driven the dragon several times since. It's fun unless there are lots of Harleys. Saw one go off the side once. They cannot corner so they go terribly slow.

BMWGuy4852 · 10-07-2020, 09:21 AM

I believe the Miata folks have some kind of road rally in that area.

You've got a leak. Pressurize the cooling system, and you'll find it.

Olgeezer1 · 10-10-2020, 06:21 PM

Great trip. Well, yeah there's got to be a small leak. Time for an inspection. You're due for a coolant change anyway. Hopefully you know that BMW's "Lifetime fill" is a joke that only started when they started paying for maintenance. The only coolant you want to use is BMW O.E. mixed 50/50 with distilled water, no exceptions.

Bill23 · 10-31-2020, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWGuy4852

I believe the Miata folks have some kind of road rally in that area.

You've got a leak. Pressurize the cooling system, and you'll find it.

Yep,we had one,it's called MATG,,we should get one up for 1s and 3s.it is a blast.

NorthernDancer · 10-31-2020, 10:01 AM

My theory on these situations is, the very hot coolant [when there is a leak] evaporates so quickly, it's almost impossible to see/find.
Yes, most likely the expansion tank and for this reason [poor design] it's recommended to keep your coolant at the "MIN" mark rather than the "MAX" mark.

09-30-2020, 06:50 AM	#1
parnet17 Enlisted Member 34 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2013bmw135is Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Summerville, SC iTrader: (0)	Road Trip Son and I took a drive starting at the Skyline Drive in Virginia to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, and the rest of the mountain roads up there. Very little traffic on all the roads so we were able to haul ass. Stayed at a couple of neat places, Otter Creek Lodge, Little Switzerland Inn, and rented a cabin in Bryson City. Had a blast only 1 small hiccup. When we pulled into Little Switzerland got low cooling light. Added 12oz bottle of spring water, still low so the next day went looking for antifreeze, closest BMW dealer about 1hr away but found a Napa close by and bough Zerex G48 50/50 mix, said for use in BMW's, and added another 12oz. Couldn't fine any sign of a leak. Car has 60k miles and I guess it's time for a system flush with BMW antifreeze. Is it normal to loose almost a quart in 60k miles? Don't track it and seldom beat on it. Attached Images
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09-30-2020, 11:23 AM	#2
dtla1 Colonel 828 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (2)	Sounds like a fun trip!! I know you said no signs of a leak.... but did you look around and below the expansion tank? Most common issue i've seen is a cracked/leaking tank. The top (lid) of the tank and the body are plastic welded together and they seem to fail at that weld point. Usually hard to see any signs unless you take a close look with a flashlight all around and maybe behind the tank as well.
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10-03-2020, 11:43 AM	#3
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My son and I did a long one day trip up to the tail of the dragon and back, using twisty roads as much as possible shortly after I got mine. I later drove the Blue Ridge Parkway from the southern to northern end in 2 or 3 days, can't remember which. Both were fun trips. I've driven the dragon several times since. It's fun unless there are lots of Harleys. Saw one go off the side once. They cannot corner so they go terribly slow. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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10-07-2020, 09:21 AM	#4
BMWGuy4852 Banned 14 Rep 50 Posts Drives: BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I believe the Miata folks have some kind of road rally in that area. You've got a leak. Pressurize the cooling system, and you'll find it.
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10-10-2020, 06:21 PM	#5
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 179 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	Great trip. Well, yeah there's got to be a small leak. Time for an inspection. You're due for a coolant change anyway. Hopefully you know that BMW's "Lifetime fill" is a joke that only started when they started paying for maintenance. The only coolant you want to use is BMW O.E. mixed 50/50 with distilled water, no exceptions.
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10-31-2020, 10:01 AM	#7
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	My theory on these situations is, the very hot coolant [when there is a leak] evaporates so quickly, it's almost impossible to see/find. Yes, most likely the expansion tank and for this reason [poor design] it's recommended to keep your coolant at the "MIN" mark rather than the "MAX" mark.
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