545i Coolant leaking.
04-02-2011, 10:36 AM
#12
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- The BMW plastic cooling systems parts have short life spans ... watch them closely!
- Our cars hold very little coolant (probably about 2 gallons total - and that's a 50-50 mix) so while coolant purchased at a dealer parts counter can be more expensive than some universal product at Autozone I feel it's the best way to avoid mixing incompatible coolants. I don't know who makes BMW's coolants but this eliminates any guessing for me.
- DO NOT USE TAP WATER [too many chemicals and minerals] to mix your stuff 50-50 ... buy a gallon of DISTILLED WATER.
04-02-2011, 11:13 AM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
04-02-2011, 11:57 AM
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Model Year: 2004
Coolant brand/color doesn't matter. Only important thing is that the coolant is phosphate free. Virtually all coolant is these days. All coolant brands and types are compatible with each other. However, mixing normal with long life will render the coolant normal life for all practical purposes. BMW coolant just gives you blue coolant.
04-02-2011, 12:08 PM
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Coolant brand/color doesn't matter. Only important thing is that the coolant is phosphate free. Virtually all coolant is these days. All coolant brands and types are compatible with each other. However, mixing normal with long life will render the coolant normal life for all practical purposes. BMW coolant just gives you blue coolant.
04-02-2011, 12:53 PM
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Coolant brand/color doesn't matter. Only important thing is that the coolant is phosphate free. Virtually all coolant is these days. All coolant brands and types are compatible with each other. However, mixing normal with long life will render the coolant normal life for all practical purposes. BMW coolant just gives you blue coolant.
" Q: Does Prestone[sup]®[/sup] Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem."
That said, I guess if I was doing a full flush and refilling with new coolant and distilled water guess there wouldn't be any problem. However, if the original coolant / water was being topped off I wonder if the phosphate issue would surface. Anyway, netting it out for me, $8.00/gal for Prestone or $11/gal for the BMW stuff ... I think I'd go hog wild and blow the extra $3.00. But that's just me. Whatever the color ... remember use DISTILLED Water A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem."
04-06-2011, 10:02 PM
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Thanks all it fixed. After I installed the tank by myself, I put like 2gal market coolant in. few days later, the light warning said "the coolant level is low". Then I bring it to the dealer, said to them I already put 2gal "not type of BMW coolant" in it. After 20mins my car out and very clean, He gave me the key and said its done. I asked "where I can pay for", he said "there are nothing to pay". Im like ("o") really?
spent 65$ for the tank, and 200 for the NAV 2011 for that day and solve the problem.
spent 65$ for the tank, and 200 for the NAV 2011 for that day and solve the problem.
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