Need coolant, no BMW dealer near

[Naz24]

Just got the check coolant light, no BMW dealer near me. What type could I get to top it off at autozone or something similar?

2004 4.4i

[Roadkill]

just use good old distilled water. there is no need to use coolant to top off the cooling system. the minor dilution you will produce has no effect on the cooling properties.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by dinan e39

just use good old distilled water. there is no need to use coolant to top off the cooling system. the minor dilution you will produce has no effect on the cooling properties.

It's below freezing here though--I don't want anything freezing up. Should I just buy normal antifreeze from autozone? What color is oem?

[Roadkill]

Consider the fact that you already have "anti freeze" in the system. By simply adding a small amount of water it does not render the remaining coolant worthless. However, I would go with the stock BMW blue coolant if that is what you want to add.

[motordavid]

If AZ has Zerex G-O5, it will do fine, imo.
GL, mD

[Naz24]

Didn't have the zerex. Just bought distilled water, how much should I put in?

[m5james]

Call around and find some Zerex G05, someone around there must carry it. The important thing is that it has to be phosphate free, and no, the All Makes All Models stuff doesn't work.

As for how much distilled water, keep pouring it in until the float sits flush w/ the top of the fill neck. There is a picture on the resevoir that'll tell you when to stop. In the meantime, coolant doesn't just disappear as it's a sealed sytem, so time to find out where the leak is coming from.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by m5james

Call around and find some Zerex G05, someone around there must carry it. The important thing is that it has to be phosphate free, and no, the All Makes All Models stuff doesn't work.

As for how much distilled water, keep pouring it in until the float sits flush w/ the top of the fill neck. There is a picture on the resevoir that'll tell you when to stop. In the meantime, coolant doesn't just disappear as it's a sealed sytem, so time to find out where the leak is coming from.

Splendid. Just put about a cup or two of distilled water. That should hold me off for a while. I will keep my eyes open for the leak.

[m5james]

If you don't find the leak, that means it's most likely the valley pan gasket and it's burning off as it's running down the backside of the engine.