[Airdog]

I have yet to experience it yet (have 5k on 340Xi), but there seems to be some common issue out there with "low coolant". Is it specific to a certain 3 series model/motor? Is it specific to cars built prior to a certain date? Most importantly, does BMW acknowledge this is a manufacturer problem, and if so what are they doing about it?

[Bee Pee]

Knackered header tank cap AFAIK - easy fix - if yr low coolant light comes on - call the dealer they take it in, they test the system, they top up the coolant and they put on a new rad cap as QEP - BMW jargon for a recall.

[SingleturboVert]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

Knackered header tank cap AFAIK - easy fix - if yr low coolant light comes on - call the dealer they take it in, they test the system, they top up the coolant and they put on a new rad cap as QEP - BMW jargon for a recall.

So basically its evaporating out. I guess that would make sense due to climate and driving habits, this may explain why some people experience this sooner than others. Plus the cap might just be more defective for some cars.

[Airdog]

Originally Posted by SingleturboVert

So basically its evaporating out. I guess that would make sense due to climate and driving habits, this may explain why some people experience this sooner than others. Plus the cap might just be more defective for some cars.

I haven't heard of Coolant evaporating.....

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Airdog

I have yet to experience it yet (have 5k on 340Xi), but there seems to be some common issue out there with "low coolant". Is it specific to a certain 3 series model/motor? Is it specific to cars built prior to a certain date? Most importantly, does BMW acknowledge this is a manufacturer problem, and if so what are they doing about it?

I've had my 340i Msport for 12k miles since September 2015.
No "low coolant" issue with mine.

I'll keep an eye on it.

[kern417]

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1343545

and m240
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1331686

[goj]

Originally Posted by Airdog

I haven't heard of Coolant evaporating.....

If the cap isn't sealed properly the coolant will evaporate. I have an appointment to take it in for this as well as the cracking of the radio pre-sets

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Airdog

I haven't heard of Coolant evaporating.....

These cars are designed to run at high temps so the coolant needs to be kept under pressure to stay liquid. If no pressure - due to rad cap not holding a seal - then coolant will evaporate and coolant level will drop over time.....

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

Knackered header tank cap AFAIK - easy fix - if yr low coolant light comes on - call the dealer they take it in, they test the system, they top up the coolant and they put on a new rad cap as QEP - BMW jargon for a recall.

Makes sense! Mine was way, way low one day and I didn't want to deal with the drive to my dealer so I topped it up myself. I'll go check and see if it's gone back down at all and will take it in if it gets low again. Thanks for the heads up!

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by SingleturboVert

So basically its evaporating out. I guess that would make sense due to climate and driving habits, this may explain why some people experience this sooner than others. Plus the cap might just be more defective for some cars.

it doesnt evaporate.

and its not exclusive to the f30's, or BMW's for that matter.

my friend and my dad have a Mazda/Acura and both needed to be topped up half a litre the other day.

my N52 eats through tons of coolant.

[BLACK HAWK DOWN]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

it doesnt evaporate.

and its not exclusive to the f30's, or BMW's for that matter.

my friend and my dad have a Mazda/Acura and both needed to be topped up half a litre the other day.

my N52 eats through tons of coolant.

The cooling system is a sealed system, it is the premise on which it works. Going through tonnes of coolant is not normal for any car.
I have never owned a vehicle, car or bike, that required the addition of coolant when working properly.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by toybm

The cooling system is a sealed system, it is the premise on which it works. Going through tonnes of coolant is not normal for any car.
I have never owned a vehicle, car or bike, that required the addition of coolant when working properly.

I assume its burnt through the engine? there's no other logical way for it to dissapear at this rate.

BTW, those of you topping up coolant yourselves:

coolant levels read higher when the engine is warm. make sure to check levels again when engine is cold.

[BLACK HAWK DOWN]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

I assume its burnt through the engine? there's no other logical way for it to dissapear at this rate.

BTW, those of you topping up coolant yourselves:

coolant levels read higher when the engine is warm. make sure to check levels again when engine is cold.

I really hope mine doesn't do this because I for one don't find this acceptable in 50k + car. Maybe its just me.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by toybm

I really hope mine doesn't do this because I for one don't find this acceptable in 50k + car. Maybe its just me.

its dependent on driving style. in reality, BMW's dont burn coolant any faster then your average car - unless you drive it aggressively. BMW's are known to be driven aggressively; it is the demographic and type of driver they attract.

dont worry about it. check your coolant levels on a cold engine every month or two. you dont need to top up with BMW coolant everytime. bottled water during an emergency is fine and safer then driving to a dealership to top up the coolant if anything. distilled water is ideal.

I have over 3Litres of bottled water in my system, which I used in the winter with no problems of freezing. water works better then coolant so its ideal to have a 50/50 mix for the winter, and just straight distilled water for hot climates/summer conditions year round.

on a side note, removing your engine cover in any sort of ambient temperature above 3 degrees Celcius helps stabilize temps and keep your oil from getting too hot. I recommend to use a good quality 5w40 oil like shell rotella, liqui moly, or motul which protects your engine and helps stabilize temps further.

[kern417]

if your car is burning coolant then you have a head gasket issue. you can't really just brush that off as something typical?

and if youre low coolant warning light comes on, that means it's below the min mark. that should never happen whether the engine is cold or at operating temp.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by kern417

if your car is burning coolant then you have a head gasket issue. you can't really just brush that off as something typical?

and if youre low coolant warning light comes on, that means it's below the min mark. that should never happen whether the engine is cold or at operating temp.

It's actually going to be well below the minimum mark.

I've had the warning come up before, both during very aggressive sprints of driving.

If your head gasket is blown, wouldnt your coolant be mixing with oil? my oil and coolant are seperated and clean.

where else could the coolant be going if its not burnt?

[BLACK HAWK DOWN]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

It's actually going to be well below the minimum mark.

I've had the warning come up before, both during very aggressive sprints of driving.

If your head gasket is blown, wouldnt your coolant be mixing with oil? my oil and coolant are seperated and clean.

where else could the coolant be going if its not burnt?

I think what we're trying to say is, if you're loosing coolant something is not right.

[kern417]

if you have a blown headgasket, it can go one of three ways:

1. Burning oil: gasket broken between oil passage and combustion chamber
2. Burning coolant: gasket broken between coolant passage and combustion chamber
3. Mixed fluids: gasket broken between coolant passage and oil passage

if it's not burning (check exhaust for sweet smell) and you're losing coolant, then you have a leak somewhere in the system or it's evaporating past the cap. easiest way to verify is pressure test the system and the cap.

[goj]

Originally Posted by kern417

if you have a blown headgasket, it can go one of three ways:

1. Burning oil: gasket broken between oil passage and combustion chamber
2. Burning coolant: gasket broken between coolant passage and combustion chamber
3. Mixed fludis: gasket broken between coolant passage and oil passage

if it's not burning (check exhaust for sweet smell) and you're losing coolant, then you have a leak somewhere in the system or it's evaporating past the cap. easiest way to verify is pressure test the system and the cap.

I had my system pressure tested and it's all good. 100% cap related I'm my case

[Marcoadj13]

Hey guys i have a 2014 f30 335i with 70k miles and im running into an issue where my coolant reservoir tank has enough coolant but my car says im low on coolant anyone know what could be wrong with it?

[weehe126]

Originally Posted by Marcoadj13

Hey guys i have a 2014 f30 335i with 70k miles and im running into an issue where my coolant reservoir tank has enough coolant but my car says im low on coolant anyone know what could be wrong with it?

The full sensor at the bottom of the tank is bad.

[5w20]

Originally Posted by Marcoadj13

Hey guys i have a 2014 f30 335i with 70k miles and im running into an issue where my coolant reservoir tank has enough coolant but my car says im low on coolant anyone know what could be wrong with it?

Just a heads up, your posting the F3X B58 section and not the F3X N55 section.

Originally Posted by weehe126

The full sensor at the bottom of the tank is bad.

like stated above, that's most likely the cause.