Coolant loss. 3.0lsi

J

jan_tekin

Senior member
 Kent
Just checked my coolant and it seems very low.
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Its only just had a oil service at BMW but I'd assume that this is not checked. I'm looking to top it up but I can't find any reference to what brand to top it up with. Car seems fine no liquid loss and it's not over heating, there is no mayo under the cap so I assume it's been low for a while :(
 
Mine was low and only 1500k after an oil service, just top up either with coolant from bmw but tap water is fine, just top up till if is full. then re-check after a week of normal use.

If it has dropped then get it pressure tested, if not then don't worry.

Check it regularly as you would oil etc :thumbsup:
 
TimG_Z4 said:
Mine was low and only 1500k after an oil service, just top up either with coolant from bmw but tap water is fine, just top up till if is full. then re-check after a week of normal use.

If it has dropped then get it pressure tested, if not then don't worry.

Check it regularly as you would oil etc :thumbsup:
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DO NOT TOP UP WITH TAP WATER...... This will dilute the antifreeze and anto corrosion properties of the coolant. Best not to mix coolants and stay with the original coolant type - BMW or whatever the last fill was with.
 
BMW don't change the coolant during any service now so I would recommend you use BMW's own coolant to be on the safe side.
 
I ended up Buying a top up from a shell Garage, it was coloured Blue unlike anything halfords sell. I needed to use the car yesterday and didn't want to take a risk and wait for today to buy from BMW as they were all closed yesterday. Ended up using just over 1/2 litre so it was quite low.
My cars just over 4 years old now this month 63.000miles, how often should the coolant be changed? Its due a brake fluid change in a few months. should I have the coolant changed as well?
 
As said BMW don't change the coolant anymore, but as you have added to it I would get it changed so that you know exactly what you have in the system.
 
jan_tekin said:
I ended up Buying a top up from a shell Garage, it was coloured Blue unlike anything halfords sell. I needed to use the car yesterday and didn't want to take a risk and wait for today to buy from BMW as they were all closed yesterday. Ended up using just over 1/2 litre so it was quite low.
My cars just over 4 years old now this month 63.000miles, how often should the coolant be changed? Its due a brake fluid change in a few months. should I have the coolant changed as well?
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according to bmws service schedule the coolant is never changed, just topped up as necessary.
 
srhutch said:
As said BMW don't change the coolant anymore, but as you have added to it I would get it changed so that you know exactly what you have in the system.
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+1 -makes sense, keep us informed mate.
 
srhutch said:
As said BMW don't change the coolant anymore, but as you have added to it I would get it changed so that you know exactly what you have in the system.
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surely it must be milage or age related, or is it like there auto boxes filled for life, then they go pop @100k

I'll get it changed when it goes in for is break fluid change seeing as I've added a different brand of coolant.
 
DO NOT TOP UP WITH TAP WATER...... This will dilute the antifreeze and anto corrosion properties of the coolant. Best not to mix coolants and stay with the original coolant type - BMW or whatever the last fill was with.[/quote]

All coolant is mixed with water and as far as I'm aware? Also, when topping up from low to high you will need to add 250ml-500ml of water? this will have very little effect if any on the strength of the antifreeze.

If your worried about the strength of your antifreeze you can buy a tester kit very cheaply from Halfords etc..
 
jan_tekin said:
srhutch said:
As said BMW don't change the coolant anymore, but as you have added to it I would get it changed so that you know exactly what you have in the system.
Click to expand...


surely it must be milage or age related, or is it like there auto boxes filled for life, then they go pop @100k

I'll get it changed when it goes in for is break fluid change seeing as I've added a different brand of coolant.
Click to expand...

TBH I'm not sure what the situation is, only that BMW don't do it as part of any service routine. With the N52 engine I would only use BMW coolant as it has a Mag/Ali block and wouldn't want that to suffer from using incorrect coolant.
 
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