Coolant low

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-21-2016, 06:35 PM

Some opinions and advice needed:

Weekend trip to the North West so ~600 mile round trip. 50 miles from home I get a coolant low warning, followed 5 minutes later by engine high temp warning!

Stopped at a services for a while to allow the engine to cool, topped up the coolant and off again.

20 minutes later, same error and engine temp shot up again! I crawled home at 40mph to manage the temperature and made it Ok (thank goodness this didn't happen near Manchester!).

Anyway, coolant is again very low so a call the the experts

tomorrow.

No obvious leaks, no obvious rad/inter cooler damage but no heater and the above errors. The oil looks suspect - what do you think?

Chompers · 03-21-2016, 06:47 PM

Those pics look worrying to me. Any kind of emulsion in the coolant tank is not good news. Did you top up the coolant tank with water or proper coolant?

Hope it gets sorted with minimal fuss.

Watsey · 03-21-2016, 06:52 PM

The symptoms and the state of the filler/cap suggest there's a problem. Get it in straight away and don't drive it far.

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-21-2016, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chompers

Those pics look worrying to me. Any kind of emulsion in the coolant tank is not good news. Did you top up the coolant tank with water or proper coolant?

Hope it gets sorted with minimal fuss.

Pics are oil filler/cap.

By the roadside so water - needs to go in anyway as a result!

EDIT: or does it - BMW coolant is diluted anyway.

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-21-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watsey

The symptoms and the state of the filler/cap suggest there's a problem. Get it in straight away and don't drive it far.

Thanks, what I was thinking.

Forgot to add - it started to misfire badly about 20 minutes before the warnings - I started slating the BP fuel I'd just filled up with!

Chompers · 03-21-2016, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Pics are oil filler/cap.

By the roadside so water - needs to go in anyway as a result!

EDIT: or does it - BMW coolant is diluted anyway.

Sorry, yes I see what you mean now. What was the coolant tank cap like?

When you say engine temp shot up, I assume that was the oil temp? If there are no external signs of water loss, then it points to the head gasket. But guess you already thought this.

d4springer · 03-21-2016, 07:06 PM

Looks like water contamination in the oil? (or more worryingly, coolant), if you had a missfire maybe coolant has leaked into a cylinder?

Steven1077 · 03-21-2016, 07:31 PM

I know my old vauxhall had a heater bypass valve that gave the same symptoms, but it's a long shot BMW having the same thing

snipnoob86 · 03-22-2016, 02:05 AM

well that doesnt look good. you say you had to top up the coolant twice. thats ALOT of water. and if it isnt leaking from pipes and hoses, and all that water is mixing with the oil then it would be safe to assume you should absolutely not start this car up anymore. it could be something simple to fix. or it could be something capabke if nuking that engine. get her inti the garage asap

hope it goes well

Tengocity · 03-22-2016, 03:32 AM

Oh dear, none of this sounds particularly good. The coolant is going somewhere, rather hope it's a leak to the open than the internals I guess.
If it is something serious then it'll be the first serious issue on one of these engines I can recall.

JOHNBMWM5 · 03-22-2016, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Thanks, what I was thinking.

Forgot to add - it started to misfire badly about 20 minutes before the warnings - I started slating the BP fuel I'd just filled up with!

Could be head gasket Mark, but on such a new car that is a poor show, hope it gets sorted quickly, but not confidence inspiring for sure.
Good luck with it.

SkyJawa · 03-22-2016, 04:32 AM

Yeah, not a good sign that emulsified oil. And as previously mentioned that's a lot of water its got through. No obvious sign of a leak on the ground when its been stood a few min?

creepy coupe · 03-22-2016, 04:38 AM

Have you checked the oil level? If noticeably higher than it should be coolant has leaked into the oil and could have fooked the internals.

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-22-2016, 05:09 AM

Oil was ok - although it wouldn't let me check it yesterday due to the error.

No drips, hisses or moisture anywhere to be seen.

I'll call the dealer shortly and have them collect from my drive - if they can't I'll be calling recovery tonight.

Daftasabrush · 03-22-2016, 05:11 AM

Oh now that doesn't look good, will be interesting to hear what the dealer says. Good luck!

SDH · 03-22-2016, 05:29 AM

No idea if it affects warranty but if I were you I would top it up with official BMW coolant before you take it in. They may try to blame the failure on you using water if they're really being buggers about it

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-22-2016, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDH

No idea if it affects warranty but if I were you I would top it up with official BMW coolant before you take it in. They may try to blame the failure on you using water if they're really being buggers about it

What is the deal with coolant? Looking the stuff I've had previously from BMW it's diluted with water anyway (like antifreeze).

I don't think it's like the Toyota non aqueous stuff...

moonshine · 03-22-2016, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

What is the deal with coolant? Looking the stuff I've had previously from BMW it's diluted with water anyway (like antifreeze).

I don't think it's like the Toyota non aqueous stuff...

The BMW coolant i bought when i replaced my e91 thermostat was concentrated anti-corrosion / anti-freeze that was diluted with regular water - the water does the “coolant" part of the job - the “BMW” coolant is the bit that stops the water from freezing in the engine block in winter.

have you any mods to the engine? (chip / map etc?)

moonshine · 03-22-2016, 05:47 AM

Photos

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-22-2016, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshine

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

What is the deal with coolant? Looking the stuff I've had previously from BMW it's diluted with water anyway (like antifreeze).

I don't think it's like the Toyota non aqueous stuff...

The BMW coolant i bought when i replaced my e91 thermostat was concentrated anti-corrosion / anti-freeze that was diluted with regular water - the water does the “coolant" part of the job - the “BMW” coolant is the bit that stops the water from freezing in the engine block in winter.

have you any mods to the engine? (chip / map etc?)

Great thanks.

No mods - tried a box for a couple of weeks but otherwise standard.

Just called them:

"Can't help you - we're fully booked until mid April"

Great.

Calling assistance tonight.

Wills2 · 03-22-2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Great thanks.

No mods - tried a box for a couple of weeks but otherwise standard.

No you didn't.....

MarkG_M5Comp · 03-22-2016, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wills2

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Great thanks.

No mods - tried a box for a couple of weeks but otherwise standard.

No you didn't.....

What are you saying - of course I didn't!

03-21-2016, 06:35 PM	#1
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Some opinions and advice needed: Weekend trip to the North West so ~600 mile round trip. 50 miles from home I get a coolant low warning, followed 5 minutes later by engine high temp warning! Stopped at a services for a while to allow the engine to cool, topped up the coolant and off again. 20 minutes later, same error and engine temp shot up again! I crawled home at 40mph to manage the temperature and made it Ok (thank goodness this didn't happen near Manchester!). Anyway, coolant is again very low so a call the the experts tomorrow. No obvious leaks, no obvious rad/inter cooler damage but no heater and the above errors. The oil looks suspect - what do you think? Attached Images __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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03-21-2016, 06:47 PM	#2
Chompers Colonel 1155 Rep 2,727 Posts Drives: F31 320d MSport (M) BS /CR Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Co. Down iTrader: (0)	Those pics look worrying to me. Any kind of emulsion in the coolant tank is not good news. Did you top up the coolant tank with water or proper coolant? Hope it gets sorted with minimal fuss. __________________ Curent: F31 335d xDrive MSport Individual TB / OW Merino Gone: F31 320d MSport BS /CR, E61 520d MSport Bus Ed, E53 X5 V8 Sport
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03-21-2016, 06:52 PM	#3
Watsey Major General 6419 Rep 8,500 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	The symptoms and the state of the filler/cap suggest there's a problem. Get it in straight away and don't drive it far. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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03-21-2016, 07:06 PM	#7
d4springer Major 512 Rep 1,404 Posts Drives: F80 M3 CP SS/SO Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Scotland, UK iTrader: (0)	Looks like water contamination in the oil? (or more worryingly, coolant), if you had a missfire maybe coolant has leaked into a cylinder? __________________ Current - F80 M3 CP SS/SO \| M Performance Extras Prev - F30 330D M Sport \| White \| M Performance Kit \| Various Extras Prev - E92 330D M Sport \| Black \| Highline Older - E46 330i \| Silver \| AC Schnitzer, E36 328i Coupe \| White
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03-21-2016, 07:31 PM	#8
Steven1077 Lieutenant Colonel 240 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London England iTrader: (0)	I know my old vauxhall had a heater bypass valve that gave the same symptoms, but it's a long shot BMW having the same thing
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03-22-2016, 02:05 AM	#9
snipnoob86 Major 288 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 335D Saloon Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	well that doesnt look good. you say you had to top up the coolant twice. thats ALOT of water. and if it isnt leaking from pipes and hoses, and all that water is mixing with the oil then it would be safe to assume you should absolutely not start this car up anymore. it could be something simple to fix. or it could be something capabke if nuking that engine. get her inti the garage asap hope it goes well
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03-22-2016, 03:32 AM	#10
Tengocity General 8567 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	Oh dear, none of this sounds particularly good. The coolant is going somewhere, rather hope it's a leak to the open than the internals I guess. If it is something serious then it'll be the first serious issue on one of these engines I can recall. __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
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03-22-2016, 04:32 AM	#12
SkyJawa Major General 3719 Rep 8,636 Posts Drives: F10 530d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (1)	Yeah, not a good sign that emulsified oil. And as previously mentioned that's a lot of water its got through. No obvious sign of a leak on the ground when its been stood a few min?
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03-22-2016, 04:38 AM	#13
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Have you checked the oil level? If noticeably higher than it should be coolant has leaked into the oil and could have fooked the internals. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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03-22-2016, 05:09 AM	#14
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Oil was ok - although it wouldn't let me check it yesterday due to the error. No drips, hisses or moisture anywhere to be seen. I'll call the dealer shortly and have them collect from my drive - if they can't I'll be calling recovery tonight. __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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03-22-2016, 05:11 AM	#15
Daftasabrush Fool 1857 Rep 3,542 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Oh now that doesn't look good, will be interesting to hear what the dealer says. Good luck! __________________
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03-22-2016, 05:29 AM	#16
SDH Captain 409 Rep 903 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	No idea if it affects warranty but if I were you I would top it up with official BMW coolant before you take it in. They may try to blame the failure on you using water if they're really being buggers about it
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03-22-2016, 05:47 AM	#19
moonshine Lieutenant Colonel 849 Rep 1,858 Posts Drives: 718 Boxster S Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	BMW coolant Photos Attached Images
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