03-15-2017, 09:28 PM | #1 |
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Coolant reservoir ...(prob another noob question)
So I'm getting notified my coolant is really low and needs to be topped off. Instead of driving two hours back to the dealer for something as simple as adding coolant, I'm figuring it prob best to get coolant from a BMW and add it myself (saving their laughter as well).
The catch is my intuition is everything on BMWs is different from a regular car lol, so don't touch anything lol. It looks like I see two reservoirs, one smaller one far up by the windshield and one further down. Which one of these two do I fill? #1 on top or #2 at the bottom (...These are the right reservoirs right?). How do I know how much to put in? |
03-15-2017, 09:45 PM | #2 |
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That's what the owners manual is for:
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03-16-2017, 02:27 PM | #3 |
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No 2 is for your engine coolant. No 1 is for your Intercooler coolant.
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03-16-2017, 02:38 PM | #4 |
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Thank you. I'd have to check again to see, but I'm pretty sure it didn't tell me which one of the two were low. How would I know which needs filling? Or is it best to just check the levels of both?
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03-16-2017, 03:00 PM | #5 |
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Did you even read the pages from the manual that I posted? Your questions are answered there.
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03-16-2017, 03:40 PM | #6 | |
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I was asking incase there was any additional feedback he was able to provide based off his response. Thanks again. |
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03-16-2017, 03:45 PM | #7 | ||
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03-16-2017, 03:52 PM | #8 |
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You should have your car checked for a leak. I have had my M4 almost 3 years and have never had to add coolant.
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03-16-2017, 06:58 PM | #9 |
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Check both when car is cold. The coolant system is a closed system. You shouldn't have to add or top up. If you check and you indeed have to add coolant you may have a leak. After adding I would recommend you check the coolant every morning or before first drive of the day. If you have to add even as much as a 1/4 cup again get it checked out. Small coolant leak may not necessarily be an expensive fix but left unchecked COULD cost you $$$$$$$$$. G/L and welcome to the forum
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03-16-2017, 07:18 PM | #10 |
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Also If you dont top off soon you might get overheating message if you have leak. Just buy the coolant from the dealer. Check the level, if its not missing much call them to verify they have it in quarter bottle. Dont go cheap and use regular , not that bmw one is too special but not to mix them.
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03-16-2017, 07:18 PM | #11 | |
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03-19-2017, 11:15 PM | #12 | |
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03-20-2017, 01:19 PM | #13 |
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you can top it off with distilled water no problem. even for the winter, its best to have a 50/50 mix anyways.. water works better then coolant.
your coolant will read higher when the engine is warm so keep in mind its best to top up when cold. |
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03-21-2017, 01:23 AM | #14 |
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Water is thermally more efficient but its not BETTER. There is a reason its a mix. Additives are needed to make water more SUITABLE. Eg. Cold climates need anti-freeze. Even in tropical climates you will still need anti-rust and lubrication etc. Some manufacturer labeled coolant is pre-mixed for you and you just add while some give you instructions on how to mix/ratio. Either way just follow their guidelines.
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Last edited by AustinGelbM4; 03-21-2017 at 01:30 AM.. |
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03-21-2017, 12:03 PM | #15 | |
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does it have to be BMW coolant? anything else I can use, like maybe OEM supplier something like this? |
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03-21-2017, 08:21 PM | #16 | |
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I would recommend sticking with the BMW coolant or at least coolant free from nitrite. Hope this helps. G/L |
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03-21-2017, 08:37 PM | #17 | |
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there is no chance that the coolant burns over time? maybe evaporate? |
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03-23-2017, 05:26 PM | #18 | |
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10-22-2017, 04:19 PM | #20 |
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I've been topping off the past two days now and every morning the coolant is gone in both reservoirs. I don't see any coolant stains so I'm guessing the intercooler is leaking internally. Going to have it checked out this week.
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12-31-2017, 08:30 AM | #21 | |
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One of the thoughts there was that there were a bad batch of coolant caps out there that didn't seal properly and helped explain the losses...
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01-08-2021, 11:47 AM | #22 | |
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Josh, not sure if you ever got it fixed but the intercooler reservoir tends to snap at the seam and slowly leak right onto the mud pan below; and then the engine heat evaporates it. This is why sometimes you don't see any leaks on the floor. Had that happen to me on my M4 and ended up getting it replaced right after it went out of warranty. Cost me about $900 at the dealer. Hope this helps! Best, Marco |
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