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

[z2g]

Originally Posted by ard

If you have not run the car, simply drain the coolant reservoir...otherwise drain the whole system.

I know you are trying to find people to agree with you and provide assurance, but unless we know the coolant you added is compatible, there is a chance that the chemistries will lead to issues.

Is there an easy way to drain the reservoir?

[Jeg Norge]

ahhh, this thread got me all paranoid. i think i will take the car in for a coolant change. i have to take it in for the warranty brake fluid change soon anyways.

[tonycajjo]

Originally Posted by z2g

Is there an easy way to drain the reservoir?

remove one of the hoses or go get a turkey baster.

the wrong coolant can damage the coating on the inside of the plumbing. as far as the comment its a 60K$ vehicle i hope it would hurt or whatever... thats just silly.

[z2g]

I guess I'll go to the store and get a turkey baster today.....just to be on the safe side.

[Jeg Norge]

Originally Posted by z2g

I guess I'll go to the store and get a turkey baster today.....just to be on the safe side.

how would a turkey baster help? sry for the dumb question.

[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

[tonycajjo]

Originally Posted by Jeg Norge

how would a turkey baster help? sry for the dumb question.

use it to suck out the incorrect fluid. you can also use a pump or siphon it out.

[Zedex]

A slightly older thread - but here is my tale of woe....

I have recently had severe corrosion inside the cooling system of my KTM dirtbike (2007 SXC 625) due to mixing incompatible coolants. I was going on a ride and during the pre-ride checks noticed the level was low so I filled it up with some that I use on my Landcruiser (being a bike it was only around 200ml out of 2 litre volume).

After the ride I parked it up as usual and did not manage to get out for another ride for 4 months. This is pretty standard and I have been riding trailbike for 20 years – so long as the maintenance and storage is kept they will last indefinitely.

Just before the next ride I once again checked the level in the radiator only to find that the coolant had turned into a thick balled gel along the top of the radiators and especially around the radiator cap. I removed them to clean out the semi-solid mass and also discovered major pitting inside the aluminium radiator tanks. The corrosion was also inside the block, around the inside of the pump housing and all through the hose connection nozzles.

It was an expensive exercise as I removed cooling system parts, repaired or replaced and caused me further grief as the game of chase the leak developed.

I have learnt a very good lesson and now will only use the existing coolant or top up with distilled water and if I don’t know what the last owner used: turnover the entire system and start fresh.

Hope this prevents someone following in my footsteps.

Z.

[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.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Zedex

A slightly older thread - but here is my tale of woe....

I have recently had severe corrosion inside the cooling system of my KTM dirtbike (2007 SXC 625) due to mixing incompatible coolants. I was going on a ride and during the pre-ride checks noticed the level was low so I filled it up with some that I use on my Landcruiser (being a bike it was only around 200ml out of 2 litre volume).

After the ride I parked it up as usual and did not manage to get out for another ride for 4 months. This is pretty standard and I have been riding trailbike for 20 years – so long as the maintenance and storage is kept they will last indefinitely.

Just before the next ride I once again checked the level in the radiator only to find that the coolant had turned into a thick balled gel along the top of the radiators and especially around the radiator cap. I removed them to clean out the semi-solid mass and also discovered major pitting inside the aluminium radiator tanks. The corrosion was also inside the block, around the inside of the pump housing and all through the hose connection nozzles.

It was an expensive exercise as I removed cooling system parts, repaired or replaced and caused me further grief as the game of chase the leak developed.

I have learnt a very good lesson and now will only use the existing coolant or top up with distilled water and if I don’t know what the last owner used: turnover the entire system and start fresh.

Hope this prevents someone following in my footsteps.

Z.

Wow, i was doing ok as i havent put any coolant in the BMW, but you got me on the KTM's....iv'e got 2 (see sig) and i top them off regularly with non factory coolant (not full flush)...i do use coolanol which is moto specific and i've used the same stuff on my 03 KTM 200 w/o issue so i'm guessing it's compatible...

On an expensive BMW i'd definately drain, i may do my bikes today just to be sure.