E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > UK Technical Forum > Engine Coolant Level help



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-05-2012, 01:54 PM   #1
jonl1983
Lieutenant
Wales
23
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: F12 640d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (2)

Engine Coolant Level help

this may sound like a stupid question but I would like a bit of advice. I was checking the oil etc on my mums mini cooper the other week and I noticed that the coolant was below the minimum mark (a good few mil). As I was going away with work I told her to take it to a garage just to get it checked and topped up.

The garage told her it was fine to be below the minimum level and did not need topping up, and gave her some story as to why it is always below minimum, but, charged her £20 for telling her this. Now, before I go down there and kick off with him can anyone tell me if this is correct? In my mind, if something is below minimum then that means it needs topping up??

I dont want to start shouting if I am in the wrong!

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      02-05-2012, 02:42 PM   #2
mistryn
Colonel
mistryn's Avatar
154
Rep
2,045
Posts

Drives: BMW 335D
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mids

iTrader: (8)

I am with you, if its below minimum it needs topping up and if it goes does below again then investigation i.e. possible leak

That is why a minimum mark is there, what story did they give?
Appreciate 0
      02-05-2012, 02:52 PM   #3
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

If it is below minimum while the car is cold and parked, it should be topped up.
When was the last time it was checked? And over how long period of time it lost that amount?
Go back to garage and kick their nuts.

Buy OEM coolant (not any other after market) and top up the coolant level to max.
Keep close eye on it, and see after how long does it go to minimum.
Also its worthy to check all the pipes going to and from radiator to check if there is any leak.
How about the exhaust smoke? Any change in colour?
Also open the oil cover lid, and check if there is anything abnormal (mustard like stuff)?

Think positively but make sure you check all the possible problems.
Appreciate 0
      02-05-2012, 02:53 PM   #4
m1bjr
LSD - No, you're not seeing things
m1bjr's Avatar
United Kingdom
73
Rep
3,302
Posts

Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Plymouth UK

iTrader: (4)

Cheeky twats.

Name and shame, and post on the mini forums too.

Fill with a bit of clean water.

Twenty fecking quid.
Outrageous.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      02-05-2012, 03:45 PM   #5
Frobius
Major
Frobius's Avatar
United Kingdom
42
Rep
1,021
Posts

Drives: F11 530d M-Sport
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Huntingdon, UK

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
Lol, it's meant to be below the minimum, cheeky bastards have taken her for a mug. I hate garages that just chin you off as though you know nothing. I usually keep quiet and play ignorant to try and assess if I can trust garages before my cars go in.

Meant to be below the minimum ffs, so what is there, a "real minimum"? A "really really real minimum, don't go below this" mark?!

I'd go down there and kick off.
__________________
MY14 Space Grey F11 530d M-Sport
Appreciate 0
      02-06-2012, 02:46 AM   #6
jonl1983
Lieutenant
Wales
23
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: F12 640d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (2)

Cheers guys. She took it to a local indie garage and Engine was checked when cold, he said that the coolant level expands when it gets hot so if it was between the min and max levels the system would get damaged

Taking the car down there later to get the £20 quid back, give him a piece of my mind for ripping an old woman off then get it topped up myself.

Robbing bunch of twats
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:01 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST