Coolant Level/Top Up

[bearded_ed]

Hiya,

I have had my zed since the end of July, so about 5 months.

I remember checking all the levels very early on and also a few times since.

I know the coolant was full because the little bobber confused the heck out of me before I decided it was a brilliant idea.

Last week I was under the bonnet whilst drying out my headlights (urgh - one's sodding wet again!!!!) and I checked oil and coolant levels to pass some time. To my surprise coolant was at the min mark, the bobber was just barely floating.
I really have no idea what coolant is in there at the moment so didn't want to risk mixing anything and going weird. I also haven't had time or a garage/driveway to do a flush and change to something fresh.

So to get to the point, I just put 500ml of water into it and that brought it back up to just under max - my concerns are....
- I could be risking things freezing if it's not a decent mix in there already
- I am loosing coolant

I do have push the car pretty hard every now and then, can that errr... burn coolant?! I don't park in the same spot plus i have all the under-trays on so it's impossible to look for a coolant leak from a puddle.

Anyone got any thoughts?

 

[Jasonn]

Plain water is better than air (what would you do if you had a clip pop off on a drive in the middle of no where)? Just top up with water and flush/change when you've got the time.

I've never had an engine freeze up, the weather would need to be exceptionally bad for that so I wouldn't worry unless the temp is going to drop into the minus figures for a few days.

I'm only able to speak from a general perspective as I'm new to zed ownership (only got mine last month) but my MG used to get through coolant like a pig (had undertrays and no visible leaks) but you could smell it. MG wisdom was to fit cooling fins onto the water pump, a small leak on that caused it to evaporate (hence the smell and no drips or staining) - only found out when the engine went "bang, fizz, pop, burble hiss" on the M25 during a "spirited" drive.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[firebobby]

You may have a small leak in the system, the expansion bottles leak on these so check around there. Also check under the pulleys to see if the water pump is weeping. I check mine regularly and carry a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.

 

[bearded_ed]

Plain water is better than air (what would you do if you had a clip pop off on a drive in the middle of no where)?

You make a very good point, thank you. I'll try not to worry about it for now

the expansion bottles leak on these so check around there.

I have actually tried to have a proper rummage around and I can't see an obvious leak. However I do know the tank has been replaced in the cars history. Although that was about 65k miles and I'm on 92k!

 

[kis]

I’d elaborate slightly on what firebobby has said about the leak. They crack, often hairline and will only “leak” when up to temp and pressure. So that may well be the issue still.

Water is okay, I used to do this regularly when mine cracked (as let’s be honest, water is rather plentiful and readily available!) lol! So you needn’t worry about it so long as the coolant ratio isn’t completely distorted.

My suggestion is investigate the loss of coolant, if you have a leak then no point doing a flush. As changing expansion tank with render your flush a waste of time. If you investigate and the tank is fine, then you’d flush

Happy motoring :driving:

 

[firebobby]

I’d elaborate slightly on what firebobby has said about the leak. They crack, often hairline and will only “leak” when up to temp and pressure. So that may well be the issue still.

Water is okay, I used to do this regularly when mine cracked (as let’s be honest, water is rather plentiful and readily available!) lol! So you needn’t worry about it so long as the coolant ratio isn’t completely distorted.

My suggestion is investigate the loss of coolant, if you have a leak then no point doing a flush. As changing expansion tank with render your flush a waste of time. If you investigate and the tank is fine, then you’d flush

Happy motoring :driving:

That's the one Kis
By the way, where would you get a new expansion tank from, I see plenty on ebay, which is the best one

 

[patriot66]

I fitted a Meyle Expansion tank just over 2 years ago now which has been absolutely fine. Bought it on Ebay. Currently available for about £33 delivered.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F150697981932
The tank also had a Meyle 2 year warranty. 
IIRC the original '03 BMW one that failed was manufactured by Behr 
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F174116422975
Other cheaper alternatives are also available.
At the same time I flushed the coolant system and refilled it with Comma Xstream G48 which meets BMW GS94000

 

[kis]

Firebobby, happy to help

I’d also recommend Meyle. They do bushes and other bits and bobs too. Not had a problem so would recommend!

 

[firebobby]

Thanks for the link and advice patriot66 and Kis, I need to do mine

 

[rsutoratosu]

I just recently did this and end up replacing almost all the hose out of the thermostat and in and out of radiator, belt and the tensioner. Wasn't as bad as you think. Just a little time consuming. I also got a pressure test kit to check for leaks after. My expansion tank had such a small hole I missed it the first time I was searching for leaks. Not sure if it was rock chip or something punched a hole in or out. Usually its cracks.

 

[firebobby]

I just recently did this and end up replacing almost all the hose out of the thermostat and in and out of radiator, belt and the tensioner. Wasn't as bad as you think. Just a little time consuming. I also got a pressure test kit to check for leaks after. My expansion tank had such a small hole I missed it the first time I was searching for leaks. Not sure if it was rock chip or something punched a hole in or out. Usually its cracks.

That looks like another hole starting at the rear of your red arrow.
Worth doing the belts when you have it apart. Were the hoses that bad then

 

[rsutoratosu]

Yeah I did everything except the water pump. Belts, hoses, sensors, expansion tank, tensioner.. That pic was to show where the small hole that you barely cam see

 

[rsutoratosu]

cap too, got a new cap too.