ls78000

Got this warning message while driving at 160 km/h in a curve on a motorway.
I stopped some minutes later in a gas station then waited for the engine to be cold. After having checked the level which was really low (below "mini"), I had to add about 1/2 liter (1 pint) of cooling fluid to reach the "max" limit.

My car is only 12,000 kms (7,500 miles). What do you think ?

kscarrol

Go the same message last week, one day after I had my oil changed and the service tech had supposedly checked all my fluids. Brought it back in to the dealer and got the same solution, coolant tank took 1 pint to top off. My car had 12,900 miles on it. For now, I'll give them benefit of the doubt that everything else was checked (hoses, water pump, radiator) and is OK, but my confidence level is not too high. Keeping a close eye on things...

zippers525

I think my dealer tried to pull a fast one on BMW. I brought mine in for the same problem only on a cold start. I checked the level and it was a little low. I figured they would just add a little, but they didn't. They blamed it on a faulty switch and tank. They said they replaced it and it worked fine. Maybe the did, i dont think that was the problm though

kscarrol

Yes, actually my warning only came on a cold start as well, and as I said, I am not totally confident they really solved the problem. It has only been four days, so we'll see if the warning reappears. So far so good.

zippers525

I havn't had the problem yet. I guess the new switch worked for me.

ls78000

For me the warning message came while driving (fast) on a motorway after 2 hours, so not on a cold start. The level was really low so I think the switch worked correctly. Had to fill in the tank with 1 pint of fluid.

By dealer told me this morning it could be normal after the first 10,000 kilometers. And I got the standard response (in French) : whenever it happens again, bring the car back to service !

FJPM

All the BMW's I got consomed a little water. 1/2 a liter is nothing. Especially in heavy traffic as Paris. But the BMW's weak point is the "top cealing" (uncertain about translation: joint de culasse in French).
If you do not notice leakages, check the oil filling cork to sea if you do not have "mayonnaise" on it. If so it means water leakages in the engine.

ls78000

All the BMW's I got consomed a little water. 1/2 a liter is nothing. Especially in heavy traffic as Paris. But the BMW's weak point is the "top cealing" (uncertain about translation: joint de culasse in French).
If you do not notice leakages, check the oil filling cork to sea if you do not have "mayonnaise" on it. If so it means water leakages in the engine.
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Thanks. First time for me and my third BMW (but my first diesel though). I will check the oil. "Joint de culasse" translation is "cylinder head gasket" I think.

ls78000

Just a basic technical question. Is the level of cooling water in the tank higher when the engine is warm or cold ? I know there is a difference but I don't remember in which way it works.

Now you know my E60 technical skills.

Thx.

kscarrol

The coolant actually expands some when hot, so it will be higher when the engine is warm. When I brought mine in, they had to let the engine cool before they got a true read on the level and how they needed to top it off.