Coolant Usage

[birdy_z4]

How much coolant usage is normal on Z4 E89 3.0Si

Done a couple of motorway runs recently, this is not a daily used car and noticed some water usage

Oil changed recently and no issues on contamination according to my local INDI, just on 72k

[B21]

Zero coolant should be used at any time..

Obviously a leak somewhere..hopefully not a head gasket..

[Rockhopper]

Agreed, it shouldn’t be loosing any coolant.

[Busterboo]

Of the 25 or so cars I've had, all have lost a little coolant ... well, apart from 4 that were air-cooled.

On my E89, I top up the length of the floating spike every year.

[birdy_z4]

Thanks for the comments, hmm ok any advise on leak detection techniques

[Busterboo]

Thanks for the comments, hmm ok any advise on leak detection techniques

First, have you done the 'mayonnaise test'? Check to see if the oil cap is clean and not messed up with what looks like mayo?

[Jasonn]

I've bought that uv tracer dye probably lost about an egg cups worth over the past year but can't get a uv stain to show

[birdy_z4]

Thanks for the comments, hmm ok any advise on leak detection techniques

First, have you done the 'mayonnaise test'? Check to see if the oil cap is clean and not messed up with what looks like mayo?

Only just had oil changed but will recheck

[birdy_z4]

I've bought that uv tracer dye probably lost about an egg cups worth over the past year but can't get a uv stain to show

Thanks

[birdy_z4]

Well no mayonnaise water contamination in the oil filler cap

Onto more detective work

[Busterboo]

Well no mayonnaise water contamination in the oil filler cap
Onto more detective work

Good!
The next usual suspect is the water pump, of course. (In my experience, 'the mechanic's holiday fund': "You've got a bit of a leak from the water pump. It's only damp now, but you never know. Better safe than sorry" is the standard script.)

p.s. How much water are you losing?

[birdy_z4]

Well no mayonnaise water contamination in the oil filler cap
Onto more detective work

Good!
The next usual suspect is the water pump, of course. (In my experience, 'the mechanic's holiday fund': "You've got a bit of a leak from the water pump. It's only damp now, but you never know. Better safe than sorry" is the standard script.)

p.s. How much water are you losing?

Not checked it since last year when put the car under cover

Done a couple of 300 miles round trips in the last month and would say maybe a small cup from being full potentially

[Busterboo]

Not checked it since last year when put the car under cover
Done a couple of 300 miles round trips in the last month and would say maybe a small cup from being full potentially

I suspect both these answers are correct:

1 That's how much the engine's needed to wet its whistle to shout, 'Drive me ... drive me ... more often!' But nobody's been listening.

2 So, none at all, really.

[birdy_z4]

Not checked it since last year when put the car under cover
Done a couple of 300 miles round trips in the last month and would say maybe a small cup from being full potentially

I suspect both these answers are correct:

1 That's how much the engine's needed to wet its whistle to shout, 'Drive me ... drive me ... more often!' But nobody's been listening.

Ha ha didn’t wanna get it dirty

2 So, none at all, really.

[flybobbie]

My car would lose about half an egg cup annually, until i changed it, now pretty much zero.