Low coolant

mfindigital · 09-17-2018, 11:19 AM

So I had the dreaded water pump issue in my 2011 135 a few months back. I bought the water pump kit from FCP which included the thermostat and water pump, along with coolant. The car has been running great ever since.

My car has been running a bit hotter since the catless DP install, maybe 5 degrees. It never goes above he mid level marker unless I'm getting on it for a significant amount of time on an uphill canyon run.

Started the car yesterday and got a low coolant warning. I checked the resevoir and it appeared empty. I have an extra gallon of coolant lying around from the time my water pump failed, so I topped off the coolant and the light went away, probably about 12 ounces of total fluid. I didn't see any signs of a leak in the engine bay or around the expansion tank, but didn't get underneath the car.

Man this car is pain in the ass, but also very fun.

drwillb · 09-17-2018, 12:54 PM

Did you do the automated coolant system bleed after installing the water pump?

I did not do the bleed step and wound up with low coolant level a few weeks later. Topped it off and never had a problem again.

mfindigital · 09-17-2018, 02:44 PM

I had it done at a reputable shop, but maybe they didn't do this. Fingers crossed. I had a small amount of white film on the reservoir cap, which worries me. Probably 20% of the edge of the lid had a whitish film on it.

09-17-2018, 11:19 AM	#1
mfindigital Lieutenant 349 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Low coolant So I had the dreaded water pump issue in my 2011 135 a few months back. I bought the water pump kit from FCP which included the thermostat and water pump, along with coolant. The car has been running great ever since. My car has been running a bit hotter since the catless DP install, maybe 5 degrees. It never goes above he mid level marker unless I'm getting on it for a significant amount of time on an uphill canyon run. Started the car yesterday and got a low coolant warning. I checked the resevoir and it appeared empty. I have an extra gallon of coolant lying around from the time my water pump failed, so I topped off the coolant and the light went away, probably about 12 ounces of total fluid. I didn't see any signs of a leak in the engine bay or around the expansion tank, but didn't get underneath the car. Man this car is pain in the ass, but also very fun. __________________ 2011 Space Grey 135i DCT: Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat.
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09-17-2018, 12:54 PM	#2
drwillb BMW Fan 289 Rep 838 Posts Drives: e30 M3, e30 M3, e46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: northern NJ iTrader: (4)	Did you do the automated coolant system bleed after installing the water pump? I did not do the bleed step and wound up with low coolant level a few weeks later. Topped it off and never had a problem again. __________________ 2012 135i Mods: air scoops, CP, K&N filter, PS1, ADE FMIC, BMW PE, JB4, 1M front body, full M3 suspension front and rear, M3 brakes front and rear, M3 rear subframe and LSD Owned so far: 88 M3 x 2, 95 325is, 95 M3 x 2, 06 Mini Cooper S, 08 335 xi, 09 Z4 35i, 01 M3, 12 135i
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09-17-2018, 02:44 PM	#3
mfindigital Lieutenant 349 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	I had it done at a reputable shop, but maybe they didn't do this. Fingers crossed. I had a small amount of white film on the reservoir cap, which worries me. Probably 20% of the edge of the lid had a whitish film on it. __________________ 2011 Space Grey 135i DCT: Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat.
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