Add water to coolant tank.

from_atozinc

Hi,

My coolant level has dropped a bit.

Would it be ok to add 200ml or so of tap water to it ?

Ciano35

Yes, but you must find out why the coolant level dropped and don't just keep adding tap water if it keeps dropping

me_irl

Suppose depends on the coolant?

But yeah...

http://www.theaa.ie/aa/aa-membership/members-advice/guide-to-checking-your-coolant.aspx

Brasso

from_atozinc wrote: »

Hi,

My coolant level has dropped a bit.

Would it be ok to add 200ml or so of tap water to it ?

Should be OK as that's a small portion of the total system coolant. Distilled water is ideal as it doesn't have the minerals contained in tap water that could lead to contamination or corrosion in your system, but tap should be fine for now better than running with low coolant. There is a risk at this time of year that temps could take a drop and you'd want enough antifreeze to stop your pipes bursting from expansion.
Coolant system should be sealed though so a drop in the level probably means a leak, you try and repair that and do a coolant flush and replace with proper coolant.

from_atozinc

Thanks all.

Also, just so as to have it, I went to micks garage but in my car type, but it does not seem to list the coolant for me car, maybe its called anti freeze.

car is 2006 BMW 523i petrol automatic.

any ideas what coolant to use - just to have it for future.

from_atozinc

Ciano35 wrote: »

Yes, but you must find out why the coolant level dropped and don't just keep adding tap water if it keeps dropping

thanks, coolant has not been touched or topped up in 14 months (last service), and in this 14 months its done only 5,000 miles.

is it normal for it to drop a bit over the course of a relatively long time like 14 months, or should it never ever drop at all ?

Alanstrainor

from_atozinc wrote: »

thanks, coolant has not been touched or topped up in 14 months (last service), and in this 14 months its done only 5,000 miles.

is it normal for it to drop a bit over the course of a relatively long time like 14 months, or should it never ever drop at all ?

No it's not terribly normal for coolant to drop like that.

These cars are notorious for cooling leaks and issues. I would bet money you have a leak somewhere. But it could be anywhere, hoses, rad, expansion tank, leaking water pump etc etc.

9935452

from_atozinc wrote: »

thanks, coolant has not been touched or topped up in 14 months (last service), and in this 14 months its done only 5,000 miles.

is it normal for it to drop a bit over the course of a relatively long time like 14 months, or should it never ever drop at all ?

Its a closed system so realistically it shouldnt drop at all.
If there is a drop there is a leak from a hose or water pump. etc or possibly a head gasket

rex-x

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks all.

Also, just so as to have it, I went to micks garage but in my car type, but it does not seem to list the coolant for me car, maybe its called anti freeze.

car is 2006 BMW 523i petrol automatic.

any ideas what coolant to use - just to have it for future.

Coolant is water and antifreeze mixed together

from_atozinc

Alanstrainor wrote: »

No it's not terribly normal for coolant to drop like that.

These cars are notorious for cooling leaks and issues. I would bet money you have a leak somewhere. But it could be anywhere, hoses, rad, expansion tank, leaking water pump etc etc.

right, thanks. in the 14 months though, it has only dropped a tiny bit, so the leak or whatever must be very very small if its only lost that much in over a year.

I presume its a pain to get to the bottom of this and could cost hundreds

kirving

If there was already water in the system, it will release air much like how a pot of boiling water will relaese bubbles long before it actually gets to boiling point. The same goes for radiators in your house.

I really wouldn't worry too much about 200ml in a year, but just keep an eye on it for the time being. In addition, the level of coolant in my car will rise and fall by a little depending on the day, which is why the max/min range is quite wide.

from_atozinc

Kevin Irving wrote: »

If there was already water in the system, it will release air much like how a pot of boiling water will relaese bubbles long before it actually gets to boiling point. The same goes for radiators in your house.

I really wouldn't worry too much about 200ml in a year, but just keep an eye on it for the time being. In addition, the level of coolant in my car will rise and fall by a little depending on the day, which is why the max/min range is quite wide.

according to others on here, it should NEVER EVER EVER drop (don't get me wrong, I do appreciate all advice)

ill keep an eye on the level alright.

should I hold out and to up with coolant or just add water now (no warning yet in car etc, but its near enough to minimum)

coylemj

from_atozinc wrote: »

according to others on here, it should NEVER EVER EVER drop (don't get me wrong, I do appreciate all advice)

ill keep an eye on the level alright.

should I hold out and to up with coolant or just add water now (no warning yet in car etc, but its near enough to minimum)

How often have you checked it since the last service? I had a service once and they changed the coolant but some air got trapped in the system and after a couple of days it worked it's way to the top, the coolant level suddenly dropped and the warning light came on but the garage explained what had happened and that it was no big deal and the level remained constant for the next few years after they topped it up.

If you only checked it for the first time in 14 months and noticed that drop, it may have been be caused by what happened me so you may not have a leak at all. If on the other hand you've been tracking it for the past few weeks and it is slowly dropping, you probably do have a leak.

You said it's near enough to minimum, I would not add water unless it goes below minimum.

from_atozinc

coylemj wrote: »

How often have you checked it since the last service? I had a service once and they changed the coolant but some air got trapped in the system and after a couple of days it worked it's way to the top, the coolant level suddenly dropped and the warning light came on but the garage explained what had happened and that it was no big deal and the level remained constant for the next few years after they topped it up.

If you only checked it for the first time in 14 months and noticed that drop, it may have been be caused by what happened me so you may not have a leak at all. If on the other hand you've been tracking it for the past few weeks and it is slowly dropping, you probably do have a leak.

You said it's near enough to minimum, I would not add water unless it goes below minimum.

I do check it every few weeks, just to keep an eye on it.

How much coolant does a car take normally ?

Trojan

There's around 7-10 litres in those systems afaik. Source: having to emergency fill an empty, overheated E39 rad using a 2 litre bottle.

The cooling system in this previous model is notorious. A lot of people do a full replacement of components when they buy one of these cars. So it wouldn't be a shock if there's problems endemic to the next model up too.

Make sure you bleed the system with the bleed screw (look at a few videos on it), and do not over tighten the screw when you're re-tightening. Seriously, go easy on it, it's weak plastic.

from_atozinc

Trojan wrote: »

There's around 7-10 litres in those systems afaik. Source: having to emergency fill an empty, overheated E39 rad using a 2 litre bottle.

The cooling system in this previous model is notorious. A lot of people do a full replacement of components when they buy one of these cars. So it wouldn't be a shock if there's problems endemic to the next model up too.

Make sure you bleed the system with the bleed screw (look at a few videos on it), and do not over tighten the screw when you're re-tightening. Seriously, go easy on it, it's weak plastic.

Thanks. Didn't think there was that many litres.

Just as an emergency backup, can anyone recommend a coolant for the 523i ? Is Prestone any good ?

coylemj

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks. Didn't think there was that many litres.

Just as an emergency backup, can anyone recommend a coolant for the 523i ? Is Prestone any good ?

The more litres in the system, the less effect a small amount of water will have on the freezing point.

Some cars can take different types of antifreeze and the colour of the coolant is often a good indicator of what was used last. It might be better to stick with what's already there if you're going to top it up with a coolant mix (water and antifreeze).

from_atozinc

coylemj wrote: »

The more litres in the system, the less effect a small amount of water will have on the freezing point.

Some cars can take different types of antifreeze and the colour of the coolant is often a good indicator of what was used last. It might be better to stick with what's already there if you're going to top it up with a coolant mix (water and antifreeze).

Right. How do I find out what's already there ?

landmarkjohn

from_atozinc wrote: »

Just as an emergency backup, can anyone recommend a coolant for the 523i ? Is Prestone any good ?

Later model 2007 BMW 730i recommended coolant is type G48, available in Halfords
at €25 for 5L.... had to buy some myself the other day, I think (know :roll eyes: ) I've got a little leak somewhere, had to top up by 1 L.

goz83

from_atozinc wrote: »

right, thanks. in the 14 months though, it has only dropped a tiny bit, so the leak or whatever must be very very small if its only lost that much in over a year.

I presume its a pain to get to the bottom of this and could cost hundreds

You've done very little mileage, so it's also possible that it's only leaking when the car is up to temperature. My 318 had this issue when I first got it. The garage replaced everything before they finally figured out that the leak was coming through the hoses, but only after the car was up to temperature.

Keep an eye on the level for now is really all you can do.

from_atozinc

Can anyone tell me

A) how do you know what current coolant is in the car ?

can anyone recommend a specific coolant ?

AhHaor

G 48 is what you want. Check the colour of your coolant at the moment and IIRC it should be green. They don't tend to lose coolant unless there's an issue. I have an 06 e60 msport and my rad went after 150 k km. Since then hasn't used a drop.

from_atozinc

AhHaor wrote: »

G 48 is what you want. Check the colour of your coolant at the moment and IIRC it should be green. They don't tend to lose coolant unless there's an issue. I have an 06 e60 msport and my rad went after 150 k km. Since then hasn't used a drop.

thanks. How much did the rad cost to replace ?

mine has 115,000 KM on it.
now that I recall back, I think on the last service my mechanic added something to the coolant to block a tiny pinhole in the radiator.
In the past, the coolant issue was worse.

AhHaor

500 all in

from_atozinc

AhHaor wrote: »

500 all in

thanks. 500 quid I haven't got

Was this at an independent garage or somewhere else?

Alanstrainor

from_atozinc wrote: »

Can anyone tell me

A) how do you know what current coolant is in the car ?

can anyone recommend a specific coolant ?

Buy your coolant from BMW. It's not terribly expensive. I wouldn't put anything other than BMW coolant, they're very picky on coolant. Buy it in the dealer.

from_atozinc

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Buy your coolant from BMW. It's not terribly expensive. I wouldn't put anything other than BMW coolant, they're very picky on coolant. Buy it in the dealer.

how much per litre roughly ?

is there any such thing as a radiator seal fluid and if so, are they any good?

Alanstrainor

from_atozinc wrote: »

how much per litre roughly ?

is there any such thing as a radiator seal fluid and if so, are they any good?

You buy it concentrated, which you dilute with de-ionized water (not tap). As for rad-weld type products I wouldn't use them unless I was really stuck. You should really fix the root cause rather than just kicking it down the road.

from_atozinc

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You buy it concentrated, which you dilute with de-ionized water (not tap). As for rad-weld type products I wouldn't use them unless I was really stuck. You should really fix the root cause rather than just kicking it down the road.

thx. where would one buy this de-ionized water?

I know what you mean about root cause, but it takes money and car is getting old etc etc

Special Circumstances

from_atozinc wrote: »

thx. where would one buy this de-ionized water?

I know what you mean about root cause, but it takes money and car is getting old etc etc

You'd get it in tesco or halfords.
Not essential really unless your tap water was chronic altogether. A kettle is one thing, the residue builds up because it has more water constantly added to it, but a one off fill of tap water and antifreeze isn't going to contribute a huge amount of mineral residue to a cars coolant system IMHO.

But the water isn't expensive so..

Alanstrainor

from_atozinc wrote: »

thx. where would one buy this de-ionized water?

I know what you mean about root cause, but it takes money and car is getting old etc etc

I'm running a 2001 3 series. I've been through all of this in the last years. The car is surely worth more than the few hundred to fix the leaking part?

You can get it in any motor factors, usually marketed as battery water or similar. But it's widely available.

Ideally you would be topping up with a deionized water/bmw coolant mix. But to be honest, if you're leaking, tap water is better than nothing. When you do get it repaired fully they will drain and fill the system with coolant anyway.

from_atozinc

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'm running a 2001 3 series. I've been through all of this in the last years. The car is surely worth more than the few hundred to fix the leaking part?

You can get it in any motor factors, usually marketed as battery water or similar. But it's widely available.

Ideally you would be topping up with a deionized water/bmw coolant mix. But to be honest, if you're leaking, tap water is better than nothing. When you do get it repaired fully they will drain and fill the system with coolant anyway.

mmm, yeah, its worth more than a few hundred alright, but just annoying to have to spend it around christmas etc.

also, I am seeing a lot of debate about de-ionized V distilled water -- which one should I use?

Special Circumstances

Honestly, you're talking a cup of water here - use tapwater or ballygowan or whatever and see how long before the level drops again.

Temperature can make a huge difference in where your level settles, depending on expansion bottle shapes.
So try to gauge any changes in level against similar temperatures - always check it hot, or always check it cold.

AhHaor

I thought the g 48 stuff was approved? I got mine replaced in an indy garage in Dublin.

from_atozinc

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Honestly, you're talking a cup of water here - use tapwater or ballygowan or whatever and see how long before the level drops again.

Temperature can make a huge difference in where your level settles, depending on expansion bottle shapes.
So try to gauge any changes in level against similar temperatures - always check it hot, or always check it cold.

oh yeah, I always check it stone cold.

from_atozinc

I just topped up the coolant tank with exactly 200 ml's of bottled water.
The coolant level went from nearly minimum to maximum.

so lost 200 ml in 14 months. is this still considered an issue?

9935452

from_atozinc wrote: »

I just topped up the coolant tank with exactly 200 ml's of bottled water.
The coolant level went from nearly minimum to maximum.

so lost 200 ml in 14 months. is this still considered an issue?

Keep an eye on it. If it takes another 14 months to lose another 200 ml i wouldnt worry about it

sunnysoutheast

Whilst the cost isn't usually too high from Halfords and the like you can sometimes find that water from an office water cooler is distilled water if it's the type where the big bottles are loaded on.

Just saying. I haven't had to make use of this fact for years.

from_atozinc

AhHaor wrote: »

G 48 is what you want. Check the colour of your coolant at the moment and IIRC it should be green. They don't tend to lose coolant unless there's an issue. I have an 06 e60 msport and my rad went after 150 k km. Since then hasn't used a drop.

Ive rang 4 motor factor places now, I say have you got G48 antifreeze/coolant. they ask me to repeat and I do. Ask me what color and I say blue, they go off an search and say haven't got that.

strange the way 4 x motor factors do not have it.

Special Circumstances

from_atozinc wrote: »

Ive rang 4 motor factor places now, I say have you got G48 antifreeze/coolant. they ask me to repeat and I do. Ask me what color and I say blue, they go off an search and say haven't got that.

strange the way 4 x motor factors do not have it.

Sounds like my usual conversation with a motor factors tbh. Even better when you call in in person and they look at you as if you just got out of a spaceship.

from_atozinc

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Sounds like my usual conversation with a motor factors tbh. Even better when you call in in person and they look at you as if you just got out of a spaceship.

Yeah, I mean these lads work in a motor factors and you would expect them to know this stuff. One lad was very bad, I had to repeat G, yes G 48 to him a few times, sounded like he hadn't a breeze.

On another note, I know my coolant should not leak and I need to fix it......................but just for emergencies going forward and to have something in the car just in case, would it be ok to use this to ""top up" with 200 ml or so when needed:

http://www.micksgarage.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=5630007

coylemj

from_atozinc wrote: »

On another note, I know my coolant should not leak and I need to fix it......................but just for emergencies going forward and to have something in the car just in case, would it be ok to use this to ""top up" with 200 ml or so when needed:

If you end up in an emergency situation, the likelihood is that the permanent fix is going to involve draining the system to replace hoses or the head gasket or the radiator so I wouldn't worry about adding more plain water to the system.

Any fancy stuff you add in an emergency will literally be money down the drain.

The low estimate you got for the coolant capacity of your car was 7 litres, 200ml is 1/35 (<3%) of that quantity so that much plain water will have almost zero effect on the freezing point.