Adding coolant/anti-freeze (brand)

[andrewwynn]

Color me impressed. I'm curious about the Overflow tank replace. Is thar normal or something you picked up?


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[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Color me impressed. I'm curious about the Overflow tank replace. Is thar normal or something you picked up?

It's good practice. The tank is fairly inexpensive and can crack/leak at really early mileages sometimes.

Had it happen to an e36 I sold. We used to see it all the time at the shop too. Usually accompanied by a bad head gasket because the owner didn't want to tow the vehicle in and instead drove it and overheated it (like the e36 I mentioned).

[David.X5]

The engineers at BMW would have made certain material selection decisions based on the type of antifreeze. I don't feel it is necessary or very valuable to second guess that. Even with frequent changes (every two years) you are talking an extra $10 a year. Lost in the rounding error for my overall BMW costs...

For those of you with pets, the BMW stuff is still poisonous but has a powerful embittering agent added to dissuade pets to drink it. I got a tiny drop splashed on my lip and tasted that !&$! for two days.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by trader4

Which is another example of BMW crap. I have a 1980 MB in the garage,
original expansion tank. Never saw a plastic expansion tank fail on
any other cars. Oh, BTW, waiting for the repair parts for a window
regulator, another example of crap that BMW produces. This is the
fourth one now. At least this time it didn't break the glass like it
did two previous times. Funny, they work in MB to Toyotas, but BMW
can't figure out how to make expansion tanks or window regulators.

As long as they can figure out suspensions and drivetrains I'm happy. I can deal with regular failure/maintenance items if I get to enjoy the BMW ownership experience. Haven't driven an MB or Toyota yet that I wanted to own for more than a week.

But yes, some of their parts do fail more often than other manufacturers' versions of those same parts.

Sucks that your windows keep breaking though... I've replaced 5 or 6 regulators now and never had a broken window. Replaced them in other marques too btw... Acura Integra for one.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Color me impressed. I'm curious about the Overflow tank replace. Is thar normal or something you picked up?


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I was caught by surprise when my first one cracked and gave the engine compartment a lovely shower during a Dallas interstate traffic jam on a 100 degree day. That was before I joined the forum though and I would like to say I've now learned from other members' experience. So now I replace it on schedule no matter what, and also make sure not to overfill the cooling system.

2002 X5 3.0 289,300 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

[Helihover]

Originally Posted by trader4

Which is another example of BMW crap. I have a 1980 MB in the garage,
original expansion tank. Never saw a plastic expansion tank fail on
any other cars. Oh, BTW, waiting for the repair parts for a window
regulator, another example of crap that BMW produces. This is the
fourth one now. At least this time it didn't break the glass like it
did two previous times. Funny, they work in MB to Toyotas, but BMW
can't figure out how to make expansion tanks or window regulators.

You blame BMW for some one driving their car with a blown head gasket, overheating, and failing to do the right thing? This was clearly stated as user error, yet you feel BMW is at fault.

[TiAgX5]

The statement "He's saying the tank failed, the car overheated, the driver continued to drive it" is nothing more then an assumption.

The ONLY way to know root cause (first failure), would require "real time" video/data logging of the tank and coolant temp/pressure.

Not having that data and discussing root cause amounts to mental masturbation.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

The statement "He's saying the tank failed, the car overheated, the driver continued to drive it" is nothing more then an assumption.

I'm not on a side here, but wanted to clarify:

Not an assumption... that's what would happen time and time again. We'd suggest towing the vehicle in because very few people know how to limp a car somewhere anymore with an open cooling system. They'd show up, engine running like garbage, we'd see the coolant evidence at the tank and then pressure test the cooling system to verify failed tank (if not blatantly obvious)... then we'd diagnose the poor running condition which was usually head gasket failure after overheating due to loss of coolant originating at the tank.

As for pressures, temps, thermodynamics of the plastics used... I don't need to know those things. Replace the tank every 100,000 miles or so... that's all I need to know. They are cheap and easy to replace. Doesn't bother me one bit to do so.

I was just stating that Trader takes issue with needing to replace certain parts on a BMW as part of a maintenance schedule vs. other marques where no such maintenance is required. It bothers him, which is of course fine, and I was just stating that I forgive them the, usually cheap, additional maintenance required to maintain the BMW feel, drive, and experience.

[TiAgX5]

Understood.

I posted to address the misconception that those who repair ALWAYS know the chain/order of events that lead to final failure (and sometimes, what is stated final failure is actually first failure).

[cn90]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

...As for pressures, temps, thermodynamics of the plastics used... I don't need to know those things. Replace the tank every 100,000 miles or so... that's all I need to know. They are cheap and easy to replace. Doesn't bother me one bit to do so. ...

Agree 1000%.

I have Volvos, BMWs at home, this is exactly what I do.
Every 90K-100K, just let go the plastic (reservoir, cap etc.).
Plastic only lasts that long.

However, I have to agree that Plastic from the 1980s and early 1990s was better, but it does not mean that it is immortal.

So for modern timers, every 90K-100K, just replace it, cheap and it protects the $5000 engine from an overheat.