adding water, will it harm?

bakili · 01-10-2010, 11:00 AM

Hi guys,
finally today weather got warmer, and i could do few check on my 318i.
When i checked water, it was on min level, i did not have any antifreeze so i topped up with water. I would say few ml of water, water went straight away on max level.
Will it harm in anyway?
Also what kind of antifreeze do you use on BMW, G12?

MEGA · 01-10-2010, 11:16 AM

If the concentration of anti-freeze gets too low then your in big trouble dude as, well its in the name really - without it, the water in the rad could freeze up.

Considering this cold snap is not due to end for a while yet I would try and add a bit more anti-freeze in when you can.

That said if all you have done is top up slightly, I doubt you will have any problems...

bakili · 01-10-2010, 11:34 AM

Thanks for replay
To be honest i added about cup of water.

doughboy · 01-10-2010, 01:59 PM

Remember, the top up bottle is just a 'header' or expansion tank, so the fluid in there doesn't circulate, it just goes up or down a little as the engine heats / cools.

If you top up with just water, you may end up with neat water in the header tank which may freeze in that little tank.

Always best to top up with with neat antifreeze. Any that is suitable for aluminium engines will do, get it from BMW to be 100%.

bakili · 01-10-2010, 02:49 PM

thanks guys, will pay visit to dealer tomorrow, to get litre of oil, antifreeze

01-10-2010, 11:00 AM	#1
bakili Lieutenant 37 Rep 427 Posts Drives: bmw e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (1) Garage List not old 318i [0.00]	adding water, will it harm? Hi guys, finally today weather got warmer, and i could do few check on my 318i. When i checked water, it was on min level, i did not have any antifreeze so i topped up with water. I would say few ml of water, water went straight away on max level. Will it harm in anyway? Also what kind of antifreeze do you use on BMW, G12?
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01-10-2010, 11:16 AM	#2
MEGA Dieseasal 204 Rep 6,881 Posts Drives: LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harrow, London iTrader: (2)	If the concentration of anti-freeze gets too low then your in big trouble dude as, well its in the name really - without it, the water in the rad could freeze up. Considering this cold snap is not due to end for a while yet I would try and add a bit more anti-freeze in when you can. That said if all you have done is top up slightly, I doubt you will have any problems... __________________ Previously: 2003 Peugeot 206 1.6 8v \| 2006 E90 320d M-Sport, 19" BBS CH, Full Ice-cold JL audio install, August 2010 Total BMW 6 page feature car. \| 2003 Nissan 350Z GT Coupe 286BHP Now:2010 E92 LCI 335d M-Sport
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01-10-2010, 11:34 AM	#3
bakili Lieutenant 37 Rep 427 Posts Drives: bmw e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (1) Garage List not old 318i [0.00]	Thanks for replay To be honest i added about cup of water.
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01-10-2010, 01:59 PM	#4
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Remember, the top up bottle is just a 'header' or expansion tank, so the fluid in there doesn't circulate, it just goes up or down a little as the engine heats / cools. If you top up with just water, you may end up with neat water in the header tank which may freeze in that little tank. Always best to top up with with neat antifreeze. Any that is suitable for aluminium engines will do, get it from BMW to be 100%.
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01-10-2010, 02:49 PM	#5
bakili Lieutenant 37 Rep 427 Posts Drives: bmw e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (1) Garage List not old 318i [0.00]	thanks guys, will pay visit to dealer tomorrow, to get litre of oil, antifreeze
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