Oh crap! I didn't use BMW OEM antifreeze!

[ChuckG]

The trouble with having the wrong antifreeze in an aluminum engine is that it can cause corrosion. I would drain and refill the system right away.

Chuck

[Jeg Norge]

i think the coolant capacity is about 12 Liters (3+ gal), so i dont think 8 oz of another coolant is actually going to do anything harmful.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Jeg Norge

i think the coolant capacity is about 12 Liters (3+ gal), so i dont think 8 oz of another coolant is actually going to do anything harmful.

I think you want to do some reading on coolant chemistry and what cause precipitates and corrosion... it is not a volumetric phenomena, but rather very small amounts of impurities (ie ~1%) can cause issues. An incompatible fluid MIGHT act as an impurity.

I'm not saying this mixing of an unknown coolant into the BMW fill is an issue, but I am saying that dismissing this by thinking "It wasn't very much" is wrong.

[ard]

After you're done draining the coolant, you'll be hungry!






Seriously though, just stick it in (a turkey baster) and suck out the fluid in the coolant reservoir...or jamb a hose into it, turn it on and flush all the fluid out with fresh DI water.... or both.

Grab a couple of jugs of DI water at the supermarket, a thin long necked funnel and let it overflow, like 3-4X the volume of the reservoir... then rinse it all real good.

A

[PersonaNonGrata]

Sorry to hear that. It is for that reason I tend to keep a stash of BMW coolant and distilled water handy. If I don't have coolant, I use plain distilled water.