Engine Coolant

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 09:20

So the dash light came on saying I need to top-up the coolant, now this is probably the stupidist question but what should I use to top it up? I have never needed to refill engine coolant before.

Car is 2001 330i.

Thanks.

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 09:55

I have no idea how long the current coolant has been there, I have owned the car a little over a year, I have had a look (from what I can actually look at) but cannot see any leaks.

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:17

Well BMW want £135 to do this, they also said that once the sealing rings are removed they cannot be reused.....is this true? Looking at the below guides for draining coolant and then adding more makes no note of needing new sealing rings.

http://www.argyrides.eu/bmw/mods/wp_exp_ten/Draining and adding coolant.pdf

http://www.argyrides.eu/bmw/mods/wp_exp_ten/Venting Cooling System.pdf

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:29

Where should I be looking for signs of leaks? As I say I looked in the engine compartment this morning but could see no signs of it leaking anywhere. I hadn't used the car for two days over the weekend, and the first time using the car on Monday the light came on briefly in the morning. It didn't come on whilst driving to work or on the drive home at night.

There was no signs of any fluid on the driveway.

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:34

And how does one do that?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1068015

Is it really that simple to drain and replace the coolant?

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:40

[TW]Fox;15536095 said:
No, it is not that simple to drain and replace the coolant because these engines are an absolute nightmare to bleed properly and if you don't bleed it right first time you can get overheating problems, airlocks, etc etc. It's a complete faff.

As for the sensor it should be obvious if the sensor is faulty, when you opened the header tank where was the level?

I didn't think it was going to be that easy.

The level was slightly below where it should be.

Seems I'm going to have to ring around some garages and get a better price, I'll be damned if I'm paying £135 to get it done.

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:45

Book in for fault diagnostic it is then. :/

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 12:22

[TW]Fox;15536195 said:
I doubt it'll show up as a fault code! You are going to need to top the level back up and check it on a frequent basis. Better than paying somebody else money, surely?

That way if in 3 weeks time its not moved a jot you know its probably fine.

So, how do I know what coolent to use as I have no idea what currently is in it?

So I should buy some distilled water and some coolant from Halfords and then take it from there?

antijoke · 16 Dec 2009 at 12:44

I take it BMW have no specific requirement for coolant? It makes no mention of needing anything special in the handbook.

antijoke · 17 Dec 2009 at 09:10

BigglesPiP said:
They do here.

+1 on the don't mix blue and pink coolant, unless you like jelly.

Jelly?

How can I find out what colour is already in it?

antijoke · 17 Dec 2009 at 09:17

I did try to look in the expansion tank but it was so bloody dark in there I couldn't see anything clearly. :/

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_185166_langId_-1_categoryId_229902

That is what I got from Halfords last night, should I take it back and get something else? It says on the front compatible with all vehicle manufacturers colours of coolant......

antijoke · 17 Dec 2009 at 09:50

What a bloody nightmare.

antijoke · 17 Dec 2009 at 10:47

So would you say I'm safe to use the stuff I posted on the halfords site?

this

Fox did you check what colour was already in it?