Coolant Low!
08-11-2006, 05:13 AM
#1
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Hi all
Near the end of a 200 mile motorway trip yesterday, had a warning on the dash - "Coolant Low!" - so I trundled to a stop. Let the car cool down for 5 hours or so then checked the levels, and it was low, in the end I had to put in ~600ml of water.
No drips under the car, no obvious splatter marks or stains, no steam and no other warning lights came on. There appeared to be no loose seals in the engine bay (at least not to the naked eye).
The return leg of 200 miles went ok, no warnings at all. I let the car cool overnight and checked the levels this morning, and the levels are perfect, right between the min and max lines.
This was the first time I had ever checked the coolant level in 1 year and 11k of miles - do you think the car naturally lost ~600ml over that time, then warned me when a threshold was met in the computer software, or did my car spew 600ml all at once? I'm hoping it's the former!
cheers
Shi
Near the end of a 200 mile motorway trip yesterday, had a warning on the dash - "Coolant Low!" - so I trundled to a stop. Let the car cool down for 5 hours or so then checked the levels, and it was low, in the end I had to put in ~600ml of water.
No drips under the car, no obvious splatter marks or stains, no steam and no other warning lights came on. There appeared to be no loose seals in the engine bay (at least not to the naked eye).
The return leg of 200 miles went ok, no warnings at all. I let the car cool overnight and checked the levels this morning, and the levels are perfect, right between the min and max lines.
This was the first time I had ever checked the coolant level in 1 year and 11k of miles - do you think the car naturally lost ~600ml over that time, then warned me when a threshold was met in the computer software, or did my car spew 600ml all at once? I'm hoping it's the former!
cheers
Shi
08-11-2006, 05:54 AM
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My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
I'm betting it was the former and not the latter.
You'll soon be able to find out -- just wait and see how long it takes before you get another message...
You'll soon be able to find out -- just wait and see how long it takes before you get another message...
08-11-2006, 06:18 AM
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alsop have that message but on my 320d. i have 1 year and 3 months auto and when i was going on vocation on highway that message was writed. i continue to driave and when car was cool i open and put in i abot 500ml of water. so now i will wait how long will be ok....anyone also have this message on??
08-11-2006, 06:19 AM
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My Ride: 2005 525d Mystic Blue Business Line
I got that warning once. The coolant level was low and there wasn't any obvious leak.
My dealer filled it up and I noticed that the cap of was significantly harder to open after that than the first time I checked the coolant level.
My guess is the cap wasn't hermetically sealed and that overtime coolant evaporated.
You may had the same issue.
My dealer filled it up and I noticed that the cap of was significantly harder to open after that than the first time I checked the coolant level.
My guess is the cap wasn't hermetically sealed and that overtime coolant evaporated.
You may had the same issue.
08-11-2006, 08:48 AM
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I had the same warning after about 16000 miles. Dealer said it was not uncommon for occasionally needing to add coolant. I think there have been a couple of threads on this topic also.
08-11-2006, 12:43 PM
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My Ride: F11 535i M-Sport,, Silver, Black Leather, LED Adaptive headlights
Model Year: 2015
Engine: N55
Same thing at 22,000 mls.
Handbook said that my dealer could advise me on a proprietory coolant to top up.
The dealer refused to recommend anything other than BMW coolant, as any other might void the warranty.
I presented him with my scenario.;
I am 60 miles from my nearest BMW dealer and have a low coolant warning.
If I put coolant in from the local auto shop, and I get problems, the warranty might be void.
if I drive to the dealers and the engine melts, I void the warranty as I drove with low coolant warning!
Eventually the penny dropped and he said, well there isn't actually anything different between BMW coolant and premium brands such as Mobil.
I was hard work getting a sensible answer though.
Handbook said that my dealer could advise me on a proprietory coolant to top up.
The dealer refused to recommend anything other than BMW coolant, as any other might void the warranty.
I presented him with my scenario.;
I am 60 miles from my nearest BMW dealer and have a low coolant warning.
If I put coolant in from the local auto shop, and I get problems, the warranty might be void.
if I drive to the dealers and the engine melts, I void the warranty as I drove with low coolant warning!
Eventually the penny dropped and he said, well there isn't actually anything different between BMW coolant and premium brands such as Mobil.
I was hard work getting a sensible answer though.
08-11-2006, 11:37 PM
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My Ride: 2005 525d Mystic Blue Business Line
Originally Posted by KAF' post='321640' date='Aug 11 2006, 10:43 PM
Same thing at 22,000 mls.
Handbook said that my dealer could advise me on a proprietory coolant to top up.
The dealer refused to recommend anything other than BMW coolant, as any other might void the warranty.
I presented him with my scenario.;
I am 60 miles from my nearest BMW dealer and have a low coolant warning.
If I put coolant in from the local auto shop, and I get problems, the warranty might be void.
if I drive to the dealers and the engine melts, I void the warranty as I drove with low coolant warning!
Eventually the penny dropped and he said, well there isn't actually anything different between BMW coolant and premium brands such as Mobil.
I was hard work getting a sensible answer though.
Handbook said that my dealer could advise me on a proprietory coolant to top up.
The dealer refused to recommend anything other than BMW coolant, as any other might void the warranty.
I presented him with my scenario.;
I am 60 miles from my nearest BMW dealer and have a low coolant warning.
If I put coolant in from the local auto shop, and I get problems, the warranty might be void.
if I drive to the dealers and the engine melts, I void the warranty as I drove with low coolant warning!
Eventually the penny dropped and he said, well there isn't actually anything different between BMW coolant and premium brands such as Mobil.
I was hard work getting a sensible answer though.
I refused to do so, brought my car to the dealership (only a 10 miles drive) and forced them to add coolant !
08-12-2006, 07:41 AM
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If you're only adding coolant once (maybe twice) a year you're okay. Every BMW I've owned would give me a coolant low message at least once and it was often when the weather started getting cool. Just top it off but keep an eye on it.