Low coolant warning

[wcl152010]

I just had the low coolant warning appeared in the dashboard (325i E90), Anyone has experience how far distance can I still go on before it gives any bad effect to the engine?Secondly, I believe I just need to purchase the BMW coolant and fill it up again to the desired level. Correct me if i am wrong. And where can I buy the BMW coolant? Any recommendation shop? Thanks.

 

[bimmerdude]

I just had the low coolant warning appeared in the dashboard (325i E90),

Anyone has experience how far distance can I still go on before it gives any bad effect to the engine?

Secondly, I believe I just need to purchase the BMW coolant and fill it up again to the desired level. Correct me if i am wrong.

And where can I buy the BMW coolant? Any recommendation shop?

Thanks.

i wouldnt put it off for more than a few days bro. get from BMW.

 

[bimmerdude]

oh yeah just top it up to max level. but if u have to top up frequently then u better check for leakage

 

[wcl152010]

i wouldnt put it off for more than a few days bro. get from BMW.

Ok. So which mean I can only get from BMW? Because the nearest AB is quite far away from my house~~

 

[wcl152010]

oh yeah just top it up to max level. but if u have to top up frequently then u better check for leakage

Ok cool, hopefully it is not a leakage, but I don't see any leaked coolant in my garage floor ~ Just worrying can I still drive for around 30KM....

 

[Schwepps]

Just top it up with distilled water first and see if it goes down, indicating a leak. Coolant doesn't do anything real in our climate. Also, BMW makes cars, not coolant. They buy OEM and repackage it at huge markup. Any off-the-shelf ethylene glycol coolant will do.

 

[bimmerdude]

is this the first time u have to top up? if so, keep an eye as prof schwepps says.. Sometimes the coolant is burnt off when engine is hot so its hard to trace. Mine had a small leak in the water pump. 30km is fine, but if u have any distilled water or mineral water thats a good stop gap measure until u go to BMW. I try not to buy critical items from third party cos of rampant fake stuffs in Bolehland. Saving a couple of bucks then damaging ur engine to the tune of thousands is not logical.
Prof, i believe the Warranty states that you have to use official bmw products, else in case of problems and they see a third party coolant, then its your fault. The bmw coolant is BLUE i think.

 

[Schwepps]

Would using any other oil than BMW or Castrol void our engine warranty then?

 

[bimmerdude]

Would using any other oil than BMW or Castrol void our engine warranty then?

I'll have to check the fine print on the warranty card

 

[wcl152010]

Cool. Thanks for the advise Bimmerdude & Schwepps

 

[wcl152010]

Btw guys, I have bought the BMW Antifreeze 2 bottles (1.5 liters each), and should I use 50/50 ratio mixture under Malaysia temperature?
How do I know the max level of the coolant tank? I can't seems to understand the "diagram/picture" beside the coolant tank cap.

Thanks.

 

[Schwepps]

Unless your car is more than 3 years old, all fluid topups are covered by BSRI and any dealer would have done it for you for free. They would also have done it for you if you asked when you bought it from their spare parts counter.

Use distilled water to dilute if you're doing it yourself. Distilled drinking water will do, doesn't have to be battery water.

 

[wcl152010]

Unless your car is more than 3 years old, all fluid topups are covered by BSRI and any dealer would have done it for you for free. They would also have done it for you if you asked when you bought it from their spare parts counter.

Use distilled water to dilute if you're doing it yourself. Distilled drinking water will do, doesn't have to be battery water.

Thanks Schwepps. My car warranty is expired so I do it by myself.

 

[bimmerdude]

Btw guys, I have bought the BMW Antifreeze 2 bottles (1.5 liters each), and should I use 50/50 ratio mixture under Malaysia temperature?
How do I know the max level of the coolant tank? I can't seems to understand the "diagram/picture" beside the coolant tank cap.

Thanks.

use 50/50. do it in the morning or when engine is cool. more accurate la. the diagram simple what. fill until the stick floats over the lid (opening). dont Overfill. peep inside the opening and u will see a floating plastic stick. Owner's Manual mana??

 

[kamion]

Ummm. Why do we need anti-freeze in Malaysia??

 

[Schwepps]

Good question kamion :1: Well, ethylene glycol not only depresses the freezing point of water, but it also elevates the boiling point. It extends the temperature range of water, making it a better heat transfer fluid.

Two further things to note:
- Ethylene glycol must never be used pure form, and must be mixed with water (about 50:50) in order to be effective. Which is why you can top up with just water.
- It's highly toxic, and because it is sweet tasting, never leave an opened can around where children and pets can get hold of it. Death is almost certain if ingested.

 

[kamion]

Good answer, Shwepps. :top:

 

[pifor89]

i wouldnt put it off for more than a few days bro. get from BMW.

YEAH AGREED. better be safe than sorry. go bmw!

 

[kiidal]

i had this problem b4.. i sent my car to my panel and they found that my radiator sudah bocor..so i think u better check is there any leakage or not..when ur car hv been running for a while, look under the hood for any drips or drips mark at the hoses or underneath it.. green is standard color for anti freeze..if u need to change the coolant,be sure to drain both the rad and the block or just send it ur sc to make ur life easy.. just my 2cent bro.. cheers

 

[FIRZ67]

i had this problem b4.. i sent my car to my panel and they found that my radiator sudah bocor..so i think u better check is there any leakage or not..when ur car hv been running for a while, look under the hood for any drips or drips mark at the hoses or underneath it.. green is standard color for anti freeze..if u need to change the coolant,be sure to drain both the rad and the block or just send it ur sc to make ur life easy.. just my 2cent bro.. cheers

I saw the BMW original anti freeze coolant is in blue colour, not green.