OMG……just done a check

[Nick7602]

Thank you to everyone who contacted me regarding this concern……all your help and comments are so very much appreciated

Nick

 

[Pondrew]

The coolant should be blue not green

Oh right ……I think a complete coolant change is on the cards

The coolant is green in both of my BMWs.

 

[flybobbie]

My car would lose about egg cup full of coolant a year.
I changed it year or so ago, barely loses any now.

Best to top it off to the mark shown on float stick.
Then leave cap off, get in car and turn on ignition but do not start car. Put heat on max and fan on minimum. Put your foot down on accelerator pedal for 10 seconds, pump will start.
The pump runs for about 20 seconds then stops.
If there is air it gurgles then flows steady from the small pipe close to the filler.
Once it flows freely, top off as necessary, then fit cap. Give it run, recheck when cold.

If want totally replace fluid, drain is bottom left on radiator, blue plastic thingy.

 

[flybobbie]

The coolant should be blue not green

Oh right ……I think a complete coolant change is on the cards

The coolant is green in both of my BMWs.

Euro car parts sold me the orange stuff.
See BMW stuff is blue.

 

[Pondrew]

peering inside the expansion tank the coolant is a green colour, and is level with the bottom of the brown stick and level with the white float…hope this making some sense

The max and min level of the 'stick' is printed on the top of the tank. As long as the stick is roughly level with the top of the filler neck that is quite normal. You should be be able to push the stick down and it will bob back up if there is liquid in the tank.

You have two warnings lights aswell; one for high engine temp and another for low coolant level.

 

[B21]

I think it’s blue

 

[B21]

I think it’s blue

Flybobbie has annunciated the purge cycle..it would be good to do that anyway

 

[Nick7602]

peering inside the expansion tank the coolant is a green colour, and is level with the bottom of the brown stick and level with the white float…hope this making some sense

The max and min level of the 'stick' is printed on the top of the tank. As long as the stick is roughly level with the top of the filler neck that is quite normal. You should be be able to push the stick down and it will bob back up if there is liquid in the tank.

You have two warnings lights aswell; one for high engine temp and another for low coolant level.

I will check it again in the morning, but thank you for the very kind advice

 

[Nictrix]

I also took the oil filler cap off looked at the engine, it only looked like there was a thin layer of oil on the engine :? almost bone dry

You may be worrying about nothing here. Its pretty normal to only see a little oil coating parts, it shouldnt be full to the brim.

 

[Mr Tidy]

You have two warnings lights aswell; one for high engine temp and another for low coolant level.

Plus one more for low engine oil level. I used to check the oil level whenever I used my car just to be sure the level sensor was working!

And I wouldn't be going to BMW for a coolant change, I'd look for a good BMW Indy - others on here may be able to recommend one in your area.

 

[Pondrew]

And I wouldn't be going to BMW for anything as they are rip-off merchants

Fixed that for you Ian (Iain?)

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks Andrew.

Iain.

 

[Nick7602]

I also took the oil filler cap off looked at the engine, it only looked like there was a thin layer of oil on the engine :? almost bone dry

You may be worrying about nothing here. Its pretty normal to only see a little oil coating parts, it shouldnt be full to the brim.

You are probably right, I am super fussy about keeping the lubes and coolants just right…..bit of OCD I think :rofl:

 

[Pondrew]

I am super fussy about keeping the lubes

The wife's the same TBH...something to do with her age

 

[Nick7602]

I am super fussy about keeping the lubes

The wife's the same TBH...something to do with her age

:rofl: Thats brilliant, my sides are aching from laughing

 

[mcbutler]

Yeah i had this, light came on after i parked for a night on a steep downhill incline. It was really far down, topped it up while cold so the to of the little stick is level with the top of the container.
I keep an eye on it now, no obvious external leaks that I can see.

What is this 'coolant purge' thing I see mentioned in this thread??

 

[B21]

Automated procedure by the DME to purge the coolant system of air traps and bubbles…takes about 15-20 minutes

 

[flybobbie]

Yeah i had this, light came on after i parked for a night on a steep downhill incline. It was really far down, topped it up while cold so the to of the little stick is level with the top of the container.
I keep an eye on it now, no obvious external leaks that I can see.

What is this 'coolant purge' thing I see mentioned in this thread??

Don't know? try reading thread?

 

[flybobbie]

My car would lose about egg cup full of coolant a year.
I changed it year or so ago, barely loses any now.

Best to top it off to the mark shown on float stick.
Then leave cap off, get in car and turn on ignition but do not start car. Put heat on max and fan on minimum. Put your foot down on accelerator pedal for 10 seconds, pump will start.
The pump runs for about 20 seconds then stops.
If there is air it gurgles then flows steady from the small pipe close to the filler.
Once it flows freely, top off as necessary, then fit cap. Give it run, recheck when cold.

If want totally replace fluid, drain is bottom left on radiator, blue plastic thingy.

 

[bob4333]

And I wouldn't be going to BMW for a coolant change, I'd look for a good BMW Indy - others on here may be able to recommend one in your area.

OP, good Indy in our area:- Noel Butler, NCB Autokraft Ltd, 01564 703434, Pasture Croft B49 5DJ, Tithe Barn Ln, Earlswood, Solihull. Great people to talk to with an immense amount of knowledge. Busy though.

I found Sytner Sales at Solihull to be quite good, Service will have your pants down though. :x