Coolant Level Indicator
- Thread starter TheBry
- Start date
You can check your coolant level....ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. Unscrew the radiator resevoir cap in the engine compartment. You can only do it by hand. There will be a bobbing stick that should be there on top. If the fluid is so low, the stick won't even be visible, but it should bob to a certain mark on the stick. Look around the engine area for any sprays of liquid....I think it might dry white (not sure). You can removed the plastic tray below the car and see if anything has dripped on it (that's a good idea to do every now and then, cuz any number of things could start dripping, and it's good to catch it early).
I agree with everybody who said take it in under warranty. The coolant should never go low...mine never did and mine's six years old now. You can always top off with a little distilled water...it won't throw off the 50/50 mix too much.
I've flushed my radiator three times now...I'm at 125,000 miles. I used Prestone....here's a pic....(I also took out my air intake deal...look how dirty it was! I found three bugs and a bee in there!).....
I agree with everybody who said take it in under warranty. The coolant should never go low...mine never did and mine's six years old now. You can always top off with a little distilled water...it won't throw off the 50/50 mix too much.
I've flushed my radiator three times now...I'm at 125,000 miles. I used Prestone....here's a pic....(I also took out my air intake deal...look how dirty it was! I found three bugs and a bee in there!).....
Some SLIGHT coolant loss is normal, through venting, etc, but if it is low enough for the light to come on, you might want to get it checked out. I don't know the mileage on your car, but if you have some mileage on it, make sure they check the water pump, expansion tank, and thermostat housing as they are prone to leaking (plastic gets weak from going hot/cold/hot/cold after time). You can tell by looking for white stains which is what the OEM BMW coolant leaves behind. Water pump leaks can been seen by using a little mirror and looking at the inside of the water pump pulley for white stains. The pumps leak out the bleed hole and then hit the spinning pulley and spray out. ![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
how many miles are on ure car? if you are still within the break-in period, this probably isnt a concern, it takes a while for the freeze plugs to seal up all the way, sometimes up to 10,000 miles or so, so that may leak a bit, i just say keep an eye one it and keep it topped off. and you have to mix it unless it says 50/50 on it, but i wouldnt buy 50/50, ripoff. ure paying $6 for half the amount of coolant you would get as if you paid $8 for straight coolant, ure call tho
My coolant light came on about a month ago and when I checked it (cold) it only took one cup of fluid (6-7 oz). That little float indicator is quite sensitive. You can have the dealer check and add to it at no cost if you want. If it becomes persistent then I would have some concern. My 330 has 13K miles on it and got its first free oil change last week however I did one on my own at 6K miles. The coolant level was checked at the dealer at that time and was OK then.
My son's 2003 330ci had the same experience with his.
My son's 2003 330ci had the same experience with his.
1/4 of the container? That seems like a lot of coolant to loose. Or am I thinking of the big 5 quart jugs and you're talking about a 1 quart container? Everybody on here has talked about just needing to top it off a little. (Funny, I must have been lucky because I've never had to top mine off ever...maybe it was done by the dealer in the first year and I didn't know about it...but mine is now six years old and I change it myself and it doesn't budge). It's supposed to be a closed system, it shouldn't leak much at all, maybe there's a little breaking in period. Did you see any sprays in your engine compartment? I think you might have a leak...no?
Your car uses regular GREEN coolant, NOT RED. I had the same problem and it was the thermostat - $250 at the dealer.
Mark
http://www.castle-designs-inc.com
Mark
http://www.castle-designs-inc.com
My Car is a 2002 and has 12,000 miles on it. I know, I know that is really low mileage. However, I live in the DC area and driving there sucks so I mainly take my car out when I travel long distances.
I went to the dealer yesterday and he asked me whether I see the indicator only when I start the car. That was actually what was happening. He told me that when it gets cooler, the coolant contracts and since the sensor is very sensitive, the light appears. However after some driving the light disappears. He checked for leakage and found none. So he topped it off adn I don't see the light anymore. Thanks for all the advice.
I went to the dealer yesterday and he asked me whether I see the indicator only when I start the car. That was actually what was happening. He told me that when it gets cooler, the coolant contracts and since the sensor is very sensitive, the light appears. However after some driving the light disappears. He checked for leakage and found none. So he topped it off adn I don't see the light anymore. Thanks for all the advice.
I didn't see any evidence of leaks or sprays under the hood. Everything is clean as a whistle. Still, I'm concerned it took 1/4 of a 5-quart jug to "top it off". Since none of you have had this experience, I think I'll be best served taking it to the dealer. Maybe I'll wait until my Inspection I -- that's coming up in about 10,000 miles or so. The way I drive, I'll fly through those miles in just a few months.
You know, same thing happend last week...light came on, then off, then on...took the car in to the dealer for an oil change and mentioned the light. They pressure checked it and found a small but potentiall bad leak...replaced it. I was impressed with the dealer for once in my life! So take it in...maybe its the same thing? [bmwdance]
Weird, I just topped off my car's coolant yesterday. Light came on. Only during startup, but for about 2 minutes long so it wasn't the normal every light on thing. I just topped it off though. Took about 2 styrofoam cups worth of liquid (one water, one coolant). I didn't see any signs of white crust or anything so I don't think there's a leak anywhere I could see. It's not dripping anything either. I had just taken my car in to the dealer on Friday/Saturday but my g/f (who first saw the light) told the dealer it was a check engine light cuz that's what she thought it was. ![[rolleyes]](/images/smilies/rolleyes.png "Roll Eyes (Sarcastic) [rolleyes]")
At least the dealer caught something. Said the DME needed to be reprogrammed. No idea why. I'm gonna wait it out for a while on this coolant thing. It didn't take that much liquid and it's kind of a pain to take your car in to the dealer when they don't offer a loaner. While I only have 11,000 miles, it is a year and a half old. I'm gonna assume it was lost during break-in period unless the light goes on again.
At least the dealer caught something. Said the DME needed to be reprogrammed. No idea why. I'm gonna wait it out for a while on this coolant thing. It didn't take that much liquid and it's kind of a pain to take your car in to the dealer when they don't offer a loaner. While I only have 11,000 miles, it is a year and a half old. I'm gonna assume it was lost during break-in period unless the light goes on again.Mine came on just once a few weeks ago and went away after the engine heated up. I got some BMW fluid and mixed it 50/50 with distilled water. It took two full cups to refill it and everything seems okay. I'm at 12k miles now.
Some fluid loss seems normal especially when it's geting colder out since it doesn't expand as much. Searching the boards indicates that a cup or two just the one time is somewhat normal. Heavier or more frequent loss indicates a bigger problem.
Some fluid loss seems normal especially when it's geting colder out since it doesn't expand as much. Searching the boards indicates that a cup or two just the one time is somewhat normal. Heavier or more frequent loss indicates a bigger problem.