Coolant question

tacticalx86

tacticalx86

tacticalx86

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Joined
7 May 2021
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290
Location
London
Went to start my BMW 320i F30 early this morning and had a message saying engine coolant level too low. However, the message then went off. I did check and it does look low, added some water in the meantime but just wondering why it would be low in the first place as there's no evidence of a leak? Certainly not from the outside. And I don't know why the message would then go away.
 
It should be a sealed system so if it's disappearing then there's definitely a leak somewhere. That or your HG is on it's way out, but I don't think that's overly common these days.
 
quote from a quick google search, i dont know how much this applies to your particular car though.

yes car coolent does evaporate over time. The water element tends to evaporate due to extreme engine temps.
Additionaly the presence of an overflow reservoir makes one end of the coolant open which can cause extra coolant to spill out or jump out
 
tacticalx86 said:
Doesn't it over the years get lower though? It's 12 years old and I'm not sure if its ever had a major service.
Click to expand...
Distilled water is best but tap water in a pinch to top up but yes all systems will eventually lose some liquid. If you think the car hasn't had a regular service than I'd be concerned the oil + filter hasn't been changed for a while too.
 
Open the coolant cap and look to see if there is any residue on the inside. Sometimes the caps leak and the water evaporates from there. If that's the case you can just change the coolant cap.
 
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