Coolant Issue

[robocal]

Just looking for some advice.

Over the last few days I have been getting intermittent "Check Coolant Level" messages. I physically checked the reservoir and sure enough it is low i.e. the red float is not level with the reservoir opening.

I called BMW yesterday to enquire and the the mechanic I was talking to simply said to fill it up using distilled water. Now having read the articles on coolant I was taken aback slightly by this as the 'Fluid Maintenance' article I was reading mentioned distilled water but also the fact that you add it in a 50/50 mix to the BMW coolant product. So I am confused. BMW here in Hong Kong like to sell you whatever they can so they have a vested interest in telling me I need to come in and have it mixed with their 'unique' coolant.

Now I see having read the article that the coolant protects against things like freezing and boil over. Freezing is not an issue in Hong Kong obviously so for the boil over is it true that I only need to add water. I think not and that's why I have done nothing. Can someone please shed some light on this issue.

[AzNMpower32]

Just buy the BMW coolant and do whatever it says. If they sell a premixed, then good for you. Otherwise just do whatever the instructions say. A gallon of coolant is not that expensive.

[Antus]

u need to add 50/50 mix. do not just add water. when the light is on, the coolent level is quite low.

just drive to the dealer, ask them to top it up. I did it when my light was on, the local bmw dealer didn't charge me anything.

[ljnlaw]

I trust my mechanic at vacmotorsports.com, and he told me that with the later model BMWs (1) only use BMW factory coolant and (2) just to be safe I flush my coolant once a year.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Just buy the BMW coolant and do whatever it says. If they sell a premixed, then good for you. Otherwise just do whatever the instructions say. A gallon of coolant is not that expensive.

[rogerkiu]

You may also have to check if there is leaking problem with your engine cooling system (expansion tank, etc...). If no leaking problem, just ask your mechanic to fill up coolant or you can DIY, distilled water is ok. BMW cars have excellent cooling system, it won't boil over if your cooling system has no leaking problem.

[fast4d]

coolant = antifreeze

it does not help the efficiency of cooling system. WATER by itself cools better than water plus antifreeze. there are ingredients in coolant to prevent rusting though.

if you have a leak just replace with distilled water for now. don't worry about coolant until you have it fixed.

I don't run antifreeze/coolant in my vehicles since the weather here never go below freeze. just distilled water and water wetter.

[writestl]

You might want to have your Heat Exchanger(Transmission Cooler) checked if your coolant fluid is always low. I just replaced it. You will also need to have your transmission fluid changed. I had to get a new Tranny because of the coolant mixing with the transmission oil.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by fast4d

coolant = antifreeze

it does not help the efficiency of cooling system. WATER by itself cools better than water plus antifreeze. there are ingredients in coolant to prevent rusting though.

if you have a leak just replace with distilled water for now. don't worry about coolant until you have it fixed.

I don't run antifreeze/coolant in my vehicles since the weather here never go below freeze. just distilled water and water wetter.

I know people with e36 M3 track cars that run only water and Redline Water Wetter in their coolant systems. Coolant just prevents corrosion and water from freezing in cold temps. I would get the problem fixed as soon as you can though. My check coolant warning was lighting up every few weeks, so I took it to the dealer. They found that the water pump and valley pan gasket were defective. It was changed under warranty and I havn't had any issues since. It wasn't cheap. Gotta love the warranty!

[Secure]

I'm not an expert, but I'd be careful. Water's boiling point is much lower than water mixed with antifreeze. You won't cool very well if your water turns to vapor, and your cooling system components such as hoses may not withstand the expansion either.