Coolant level, BMW 523i

tom_tarbucket

Got the following message earlier on my 2006 523i: engine coolant level too low.

So I need to top up the coolant, my question relates to the floating bob and where it should IDEALLY be resting.

Ive looked on other forums and they are confusing.

I know I should top up the coolant when the engine is totally cold.

Where should the floating bob be when the engine is cold and the correct amount of coolant is added.

Above the level of the cap or just even with top of cap

Should it be like the HIGH or EVEN pictures attached ?

Alanstrainor

Looks like you have it set right(high). You may need to figure out if you have a coolant leak however...

Alanstrainor

tom_tarbucket

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Looks like you have it set right(high). You may need to figure out if you have a coolant leak however...

How do you mean looks like I have it set right.

I just got these pictures from google and im wondering which one is the correct level

Alanstrainor

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

How do you mean looks like I have it set right.

I just got these pictures from google and im wondering which one is the correct level

The float is supposed to pop up and float on top of the coolant in the "high" position. The image you provided looks to have a weird float/level gauge however.

tom_tarbucket

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The float is supposed to pop up and float on top of the coolant.

so are you saying when the engine is stone cold and hasn't been started for over 10 hours or so that the float should rest in the HIGH position ?

Alanstrainor

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Looks like you have it set right(high). You may need to figure out if you have a coolant leak however...

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The float is supposed to pop up and float on top of the coolant in the "high" position. The image you provided looks to have a weird float/level gauge however.

Definitely high alright! :pac:

If engine is cool and you haven't lost a tonne of coolant you should simply be able to top up. If you have lost a tonne, you'll need to figure out where from before being able to drive again really.

AhHaor

If you're losing coolant you'll probably need new one. You shouldn't be losing any. Mine went with around 140k km done. Once new rad in hasn't lost any coolant.

tom_tarbucket

AhHaor wrote: »

If you're losing coolant you'll probably need new one. You shouldn't be losing any. Mine went with around 140k km done. Once new rad in hasn't lost any coolant.

So this is the first time I've seen this message in a year of ownership. Is it not just the case that coolant simply needs to be topped up every so often. And mine just needed a topup.

Or are you saying that it should never loose coolant at all and there's a leak ?

AhHaor

not sure in your scenario. But it shouldn't be going through coolant. It is supposed to be closed system. I got iDrive warning to put in a litre. Within a week it needed another 500 ml. Then about week later started noticing leaks under car. The liquid tasted sweet. Brought it to garage and new radiator was the solution.

tom_tarbucket

AhHaor wrote: »

not sure in your scenario. But it shouldn't be going through coolant. It is supposed to be closed system. I got iDrive warning to put in a litre. Within a week it needed another 500 ml. Then about week later started noticing leaks under car. The liquid tasted sweet. Brought it to garage and new radiator was the solution.

Right. How much was radiator with labour and all ?

AhHaor

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Right. How much was radiator with labour and all ?

All incl 500.

tom_tarbucket

AhHaor wrote: »

All incl 500.

Sh1te. Saucy enough fix so.

mloc123

I had two coolant leaks with my e60 523i.. First was the rad and fixed under warranty but iirc the rad alone was about 350e.
Second one was the water pump and cost me about 500e to have replaced, the water pump is an electronic unit, not belt driven and are expensive.

Alanstrainor

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Right. How much was radiator with labour and all ?

There are many points that could be leaking, very hard to point the finger at the rad straight off the bat. Best keep a close eye on it is my suggestion. If you notice significant drops in coolant then you'll have to get it checked asap.

The system is closed, but there is a pressure release in the expansion tank cap. So there is potential for coolant to escape that way. But if you're noticing a significant drop then it must be checked out.

tom_tarbucket

mloc123 wrote: »

I had two coolant leaks with my e60 523i.. First was the rad and fixed under warranty but iirc the rad alone was about 350e.
Second one was the water pump and cost me about 500e to have replaced, the water pump is an electronic unit, not belt driven and are expensive.

thanks

an b00lix. so could be a bloody expensive fix maybe.

the thing is I don't know when the coolant was last topped up, it could have been 5 years ago...........and maybe in 5 years coolant may well drop a bit, I think its not supposed to at all but just saying.

I suppose im just wondering if the me having to top up my coolant DEFINITELY means I have a leak or could it just drop off over the years.

I suppose im just trying to convince myself there is not a leak. I did some amateur investigating and couldn't find any leaks, or mayonnaise residue or any residue on pipes etc and the level has not dropped since Friday. ( and ive been checking when engine is stone cold )

166man

On a BMW or even in any car, the cooling system is one that you need and want to be working week, especially as we aproach the summer.

BMW's are known for having weak cooling systems. If I were you, I'd bring it to a BMW specialist in your area and have it checked out. Can't cost more than an hours labor. At least then you'll have a definitive answer.

If the coolant hasn't been changed in 5 years,it's well due a change.

Alanstrainor

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

thanks

an b00lix. so could be a bloody expensive fix maybe.

the thing is I don't know when the coolant was last topped up, it could have been 5 years ago...........and maybe in 5 years coolant may well drop a bit, I think its not supposed to at all but just saying.

I suppose im just wondering if the me having to top up my coolant DEFINITELY means I have a leak or could it just drop off over the years.

I suppose im just trying to convince myself there is not a leak. I did some amateur investigating and couldn't find any leaks, or mayonnaise residue or any residue on pipes etc and the level has not dropped since Friday. ( and ive been checking when engine is stone cold )

+1 on wha 166man suggested.

Since owning my BMW 325ci for coming up on 3 years I have had numerous coolant leaks/issues. They are notoriously difficult to find in a lot of cases. I do top up my coolant every once in a while, I tend to check it frequently enough just to be sure. And add a cups worth if it needs it.

tom_tarbucket

I got the low coolant warning last Friday and topped up the coolant then.

Since that I've driven the car about 10 miles in Suburban traffic.

Every night I've checked the coolant level when the engine is stone cold and it has stayed the same, hasn't dropped.

Is this a good sign ?

Or would the car need to be driven more for the coolant to drop / throw light on an actual leak ?

AhHaor

I would say it is. The entry to the coolant tank is narrow any drop will be noticeable. Sounds like all it needed was a top up

tom_tarbucket

OP here again, have not got any warning levels since I topped up my coolnat, however I check it once a week or so and it is going down bit by bit the whole time. (2 month period so far)

Another thing I noticed, so when I open the bonnet and look in to it, I notice there are 2 pools of moisture on the plastic tray at bottom of engine, see rough attached picture which is a view of looking down from above at engine.

the pools gather where the 2 stars are marked. Sometimes they totally dry up and no pools left. But when I drive they come back again. There is not an awful lot of fluid there.

I cant see in to see where the moisture is coming from.

Anyone any ideas what this could be ? Could it be something to do with coolant loss ?

Idbatterim

Tom, I have a coolant leak, after weeks managed to find it the other day, bloody bm and their coolant system! In my case it is the notorious expansion tank that is gone, ordered one over ebay.co.uk from N.I merchant, E50 odd for a Meyle one.

After having the car on for 15 minutes minimum when the coolant is hot, turn off the car, open the engine bay and in good light, see if you can spot the leak, this worked for me, like you I could see coolant on the tray. In my case it was coming from the expansion tank, running down it, onto a pipe and then finally dripping onto the tray...

tom_tarbucket

Idbatterim wrote: »

Tom, I have a coolant leak, after weeks managed to find it the other day, bloody bm and their coolant system! In my case it is the notorious expansion tank that is gone, ordered one over ebay.co.uk from N.I merchant, E50 odd for a Meyle one.

After having the car on for 15 minutes minimum when the coolant is hot, turn off the car, open the engine bay and in good light, see if you can spot the leak, this worked for me, like you I could see coolant on the tray. In my case it was coming from the expansion tank, running down it, onto a pipe and then finally dripping onto the tray...

batter, thanks for reply.
ive looked at the car after a good drive, but still cant find leak, very hard to see anything looking down from the top with all the other stuff in the way.

Also, mine has a leak pool in 2 spots, not just 1 spot. Did yours only have 1 leak pool ?

Idbatterim

yeah 1 pool, the guy in bmw parts mentioned another weak point to me over your side though, I think it is number 12 on this image, at least that is what he described when I asked about my E46...


https://www.google.ie/search?q=bmw+cooling+system+weak+points&biw=683&bih=451&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PRBaVZ39KuOy7QbvyYPADg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1.5#imgrc=GznWKGQJSUThXM%253A%3BfCj7jxHNcLnn0M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi34.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fd147%252FDrew200%252FBMWcooling.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fforum.bmw5.co.uk%252Ftopic%252F64864-burst-coolant-hose%252F%3B592%3B419

after giving her a run, but when the expansion tank has cooled down a bit, try running your hand down it and see if you can feel a leak...

tom_tarbucket

Idbatterim wrote: »

yeah 1 pool, the guy in bmw parts mentioned another weak point to me over your side though, I think it is number 12 on this image, at least that is what he described when I asked about my E46...


https://www.google.ie/search?q=bmw+cooling+system+weak+points&biw=683&bih=451&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PRBaVZ39KuOy7QbvyYPADg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1.5#imgrc=GznWKGQJSUThXM%253A%3BfCj7jxHNcLnn0M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi34.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fd147%252FDrew200%252FBMWcooling.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fforum.bmw5.co.uk%252Ftopic%252F64864-burst-coolant-hose%252F%3B592%3B419

after giving her a run, but when the expansion tank has cooled down a bit, try running your hand down it and see if you can feel a leak...

Thanks again.

Mine is an e60 though so probably a different engine

Idbatterim

I would advise on carrying two litres of water or coolant with you in the car and if it starts overheating, turn her off immediately!

tom_tarbucket

Idbatterim wrote: »

I would advise on carrying two litres of water or coolant with you in the car and if it starts overheating, turn her off immediately!

Thanks.

Any tips on what coolant to buy.
How big is the tank ?
How much water ?
how much coolant ?

Sorry for silly questions.

Idbatterim

forgot to mention, you can buy a dye on ebay, think you may need a special torch and glasses to go with it though...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-25ml-Ring-Automotive-Uv-Dyes-Detect-Coolant-System-Leaks-/191412893438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c9118f6fe

alternatively you can get a pressure tester or have it pressure tested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96aQ5DD5y78

Any tips on what coolant to buy.
How big is the tank ?
How much water ?
how much coolant ?

get the coolant from bm, my bro priced it up and said there was best. He also picked up Deionised water when doing his... It will be a few litres you need. BMW would be best able to advise...

166man

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks.

Any tips on what coolant to buy.
How big is the tank ?
How much water ?
how much coolant ?

Sorry for silly questions.

I'm just going to repeat the advice I gave you the first time.


Bring it to a BMW specialist and for circa €50 i.e an hour of their time I'm sure they will be able to tell you what's wrong with it.

I really can't understand why you wouldn't.......

AhHaor

Do as the man says!!!

Alanstrainor

Coolant is relatively cheap from BMW, deionised water can be bought in plenty of places(Iget mine in halfords)

Finding the source of coolant leaks is a royal pain in the arse. I've been through it all with my e46, and although not the same engine they are similar, and a lot of the typical failures are the same.

Coolant has a sweet smell, when dried on will leave a white powdery residue. Given what you've described my guess, and I stress it's a guess would be something rad related. The trouble is that the coolant is most likely just running down from somewhere and snaking its way to those points in the engine bay.

I think I'd have to echo 166man on this, bring it to a BMW specialist, they'll find it in no time and have it fixed and working. No point stressing over whether or not your car will make it to it's destination every time.