Broken Coolant Level Indicator

[Dudewanarace]

So I have had a small drip from a coolant hose for a while. I just haven't gotten around to replacing the O-ring in the fitting, or replace the entire hose. It takes a few months to drip out enough to get low.

So today I went to check on things, and the level was a bit low. I was adding coolant when I bumped the little orange floating indicator. I barely touched the thing, and it crumbled in a few pieces and landed in the coolant below.

I fished the pieces out and they are SUPER brittle. This is not the original tank either as the original cracked and started leaking some years ago. So, just figured I would share.. Be carefull with that little indicator, and if it breaks, fish out the parts because those could get stuck a number of places.

[Doru]

You are lucky. This is the 1st sign your cooling system is about to blow. I would not "wait and see". Because it will.

[Ricky Bobby]

Is that non-BMW coolant? I always thought BMW coolant was blue, not green.

[Dudewanarace]

Originally Posted by Doru

You are lucky. This is the 1st sign your cooling system is about to blow. I would not "wait and see". Because it will.

Although it is isn't good, this is a rather bold statement. The problem presented is just the most recent in a series of events.

I have replaced everything coolant related over the years. Some things include:
Radiator
Water Pump (twice)
80% of the hoses
Valley Pan Gasket
Expansion Tank
and more..

[Dudewanarace]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Is that non-BMW coolant? I always thought BMW coolant was blue, not green.

I've drained enough coolant out of this engine, for all sorts of reasons, to give up on the OEM stuff long ago. It just isn't worth it considering it will probably get dumped out at about 15% of its service life. Just my opinion..

[Helihover]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Is that non-BMW coolant? I always thought BMW coolant was blue, not green.

I would say your fine using the green coolant in the states. The blue stuff was designed for the Europeans water supply.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Helihover

I would say your fine using the green coolant in the states. The blue stuff was designed for the Europeans water supply.

The BMW blue coolant is mixed with distilled water. How does distilled water differ between geographic region?

[Helihover]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

The BMW blue coolant is mixed with distilled water. How does distilled water differ between geographic region?

Not a chemist....... Research it. There's a thread about it some where on here. I believe it has to do with different alkinlinty levels present in Europes water supply.