Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-18-2011, 08:29 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 257
cravin is on a distinguished road
Coolant level low warning

This morning I was leaving the house and the engine coolant level warning popped up on my HUD. I drove to the gas station and opened up the reservoir expecting to see some fluid around the min level. To my surprise the reservoir was almost completely empty and took half a gallon of Peak. There was some white crust around the reservoir knob.

I don't have any coolant on my driveway. Any clues as to what else may have happened? I'm guessing that they didn't fill it during the CPO flip, and it's not one of those things that I just check regularly.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 11-18-2011, 02:33 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Is Peak compatible with the BMW coolant???????????????????

I always add distilled water when I don't have precisely the same stuff available....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-18-2011, 04:31 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: TN
Posts: 116
diesaroo is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ard View Post
Is Peak compatible with the BMW coolant???????????????????

I always add distilled water when I don't have precisely the same stuff available....
+1 Now that the system has been contaminated with different coolant, now would be a good time to do a cooling system flush at the dealer or indy.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-18-2011, 04:45 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 257
cravin is on a distinguished road
Nothing really to worry about with contamination. I'm at the dealer and it looks like it needs a new radiator. Good thing I still have 3 days of warranty left on the truck.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-18-2011, 06:07 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by cravin View Post
Nothing really to worry about with contamination. I'm at the dealer and it looks like it needs a new radiator. Good thing I still have 3 days of warranty left on the truck.

Wow, lucky.

In your case the contamination is a non-issue...but agree 100% with d'roo if others are reading...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-18-2011, 06:16 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 257
cravin is on a distinguished road
Yep, I agree whole heartedly as well. It's one of those situations where BMW coolant is not available at every service station along the highway. In speaking with the SA just now, it's a no brainer to put whatever possible into the reservoir to prevent the engine from overheating first and foremost. Then next preference is obviously the BMW mix, but he said that Peak blue bottle is the next best. It's not recommended, but it's much better to use Peak than let your engine overheat.

I simply cannot believe that these radiators are plastic. When he showed me where the leak was coming from, it looked like a broken piece of tupperware.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-18-2011, 07:20 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
That SA is an idiot.

WATER is the best thing.

Peake (or other possibly incompatible coolants) will contaminate the system and require a flush...simple water and you are good to go, later you siphon some out when you get the right stuff.

Last edited by ard; 11-18-2011 at 09:58 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-18-2011, 07:57 PM
Naz24's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,603
Naz24 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ard View Post
That SA is an idiot.

WATER is the best thing.

Peak will contaminate the system and require a flush...simple water and you siphon some out when you get the right stuff.
Agreed. I won't put anything else in my system when mine goes low
__________________
NAZARIO
2015 M3 / 2012 X5M
BMWCCA



Kiss French, Wear Italian, Drive German
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-18-2011, 08:05 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 257
cravin is on a distinguished road
Guys, keep in mind that this was an emergency. I'm agreeing that the BMW coolant is the way to go for regular fluid checks. I had a cracked radiator, so getting something into it was more important than which brand. The Peak blue bottle is a 50/50 pre-mix, thus why it's the "next best thing". You guys are talking about distilled water as if that's something that a regular garage carries. I'd be curious as to whether Peak or a mineralized water like Poland Spring would do more damage over time.

My question to him was "when in a pinch like this, what's the next best anti-freeze to BMW" and he mentioned Peak blue bottle since it's the pre-mix.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-18-2011, 08:33 PM
Naz24's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,603
Naz24 is on a distinguished road
L
Quote:
Originally Posted by cravin View Post
Guys, keep in mind that this was an emergency. I'm agreeing that the BMW coolant is the way to go for regular fluid checks. I had a cracked radiator, so getting something into it was more important than which brand. The Peak blue bottle is a 50/50 pre-mix, thus why it's the "next best thing". You guys are talking about distilled water as if that's something that a regular garage carries. I'd be curious as to whether Peak or a mineralized water like Poland Spring would do more damage over time.

My question to him was "when in a pinch like this, what's the next best anti-freeze to BMW" and he mentioned Peak blue bottle since it's the pre-mix.
I have no idea. I'd definitely drain the system. Which you already are doing
__________________
NAZARIO
2015 M3 / 2012 X5M
BMWCCA



Kiss French, Wear Italian, Drive German
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:34 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.