coolant level problem

[prism]

Originally Posted by peakpro

FWIW,

I get a check coolant warning message each morning if the outisde temperature is below 70F.

LOL, from what I gather every X5 seems to have its own personal quirks!

[prism]

That is correct, I meant the color of the oil is tarry black, not its texture!

[asawadude]

I also have a coolant leak which I've tracked down to a leak between the top and bottom halves of the expansion tank. It's a very small leak with minimal loss - approx 1/2 gallon of coolant since the beginning of the year. But it's readily apparent - there is coolant residue on the tank originating from the seam. I'm nearly due for an Insp 2, and I'll get the tank replaced then.

[hopz]

JCL and others are absolutely correct... black oil is not a problem. The service interval indicator is the single most important indicator of oil service life.

Happy Now? I know oil, and I know engines... when my oil gets dirty- I change it.
You do what you want.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by hopz

JCL and others are absolutely correct... black oil is not a problem. The service interval indicator is the single most important indicator of oil service life.

Happy Now? I know oil, and I know engines... when my oil gets dirty- I change it.
You do what you want.

Is that sarcasm? If not, you are twisting things around a little.

For my part, I was happy before, and I still am. That was why I used the word 'polite' in my response.

I think the proposition was that the oil being black is not an indicator of a coolant leak, which was the subject of the post after all. You were on a different track, based on a misreading of the earlier post. No harm. Carry on.

[hopz]

I'm not looking for a fight- but just to set the record straight...

I did not mis read his post. In fact I was the first to give him some useful info. In response, along the way, he said his oil was tarry black. (Thus not likely a coolant leak) But as a friend and an experienced BMW guy I suggested that tarry black oil needs to be changed.

You might disagree about the oil, but I would never fail to counsel a friend who said he had tarry black oil in his car- heck even his lawn mower deserves better...

FYI: My list of owned BMWs:
1974 2002 Alpine White
1976 2002ti Green
1979 320i Chamonix
1983 530i Ascot Silver
1988 633i Alpine White
1991 735i Black
1995 740i Black
1997 540i Titanium Silver
2002 X5 Black
1989 H-D FXR-SP Black
1989 H-D FLH Black
1995 H-D FLHRi Red
2002 H-D FLHRCi Black
2002 H-D FLTRi Silver
Cessna 172 Red/White 7821X


I may have missed one or two- I'll have to check my database...

Incidentially BMW CCA member 1979- 1995

[JCL]

Originally Posted by hopz

I'm not looking for a fight- but just to set the record straight...

I did not mis read his post. In fact I was the first to give him some useful info. In response, along the way, he said his oil was tarry black. (Thus not likely a coolant leak) But as a friend and an experienced BMW guy I suggested that tarry black oil needs to be changed.

You might disagree about the oil, but I would never fail to counsel a friend who said he had tarry black oil in his car- heck even his lawn mower deserves better...

FYI: My list of owned BMWs:
1974 2002 Alpine White
1976 2002ti Green
1979 320i Chamonix
1983 530i Ascot Silver
1988 633i Alpine White
1991 735i Black
1995 740i Black
1997 540i Titanium Silver
2002 X5 Black
1989 H-D FXR-SP Black
1989 H-D FLH Black
1995 H-D FLHRi Red
2002 H-D FLHRCi Black
2002 H-D FLTRi Silver
Cessna 172 Red/White 7821X


I may have missed one or two- I'll have to check my database...

Incidentially BMW CCA member 1979- 1995

I'm not looking for a fight either, honest.

Yes, you gave the first good info in response to the post. This went south when the colour of the oil was described as tarry black, which was interpreted as 'tar-like' (my read of your response when you used the phrase tarry oil) or 'gooey' (your second response, when you suggested an immediate oil change). The consistency was never a point of debate, it was a discussion of colour. That is the only misread.

I agree completely that oil that is thick, with the viscosity of tar, should be changed (but it is probably too late anyway).

Congratulations on your string of fine BMW vehicles. You certainly have me on BMW owners regs, but not likely on number of different BMW vehicles maintained. Although, according to the standard points system, we have to subtract one for every HD bike, so 9-5 = 4. We're even. Not sure how to score the plane, since I don't have any aero engine training. If you do, then you win!

Have a great day!

[hopz]

JCL... ok, no problem.
Subtract for Harleys? Heck, I thought they earned bonus points ?

Drive on friends, nothing to see here, move along....
OBTW- I never maintained the airplane- even I know enough to leave that to the experts, but my oil was never "tarry black" either.... hey maybe that ought to be a new paint color descriptor...

[cavx5]

hi everyone i had similar problem last month when it was very cold in nyc...i was getting low coolant level message and brought it to dealer..they said it was in fact low and added fluid..they checked for leaks/problems and said they found none..sa said it is common problem in cold weather...i really didnt believe him but didnt have much choice...i forgot to check level when i got car back to see how high plunger was...i checked last week and plunger is at min level...will keep checking...rob

[amacman]

just to add my 2cents, diesel engine oil ALWAYS gets black very quickly, trust me i have over 1millions miles in diesels,also coolant could leak into intake manifold if manifold has water jacket,ask bmw as i had 318ise losing coolant and had to find specialist engineer to locate problem. he did "sniff" test to locate hydrocarbons in coolant although he knew it was not cylinder head gasket,it was rubber seal on intake manifold.not a major problem if using small amount of coolant but check level frequently.