Low Coolant

neovb · 10-01-2012, 09:13 PM

Recently my car threw the "low coolant" warning. I called the dealer to make a service appointment, but the guy just said that "its normal" and that all BMWs go through coolant/oil. I was a bit skeptical, seeing as my car only has about 15k miles, but there wasnt much I could do. When I filled up the coolant, it took about 2 quarts to get it back up to level.

Has anyone else experienced low coolant levels? As far as I can tell, I dont see any smoke and there aren't any leaks that I can note on the garage floor.

Puerto Rican 335d · 10-02-2012, 07:03 AM

dont listen to the SA . take it to the dealer and have it checked, I havent hear anything on this, play it safe!!

kbsilver · 10-02-2012, 08:16 AM

Using 2 quarts is not normal. There is minor loss of coolant over time as when the system occassionaly burps vapor out after building up pressure (cold to hot) some coolant is carried out. This is usually noticed when it turns cold and it triggers a low coolant warning at most once a year. But should only need to add a pint or so for this, not quarts.

Was the cooling system ever worked on?

Kamando · 10-02-2012, 03:53 PM

Back in September of 2010 I went to start my 335d and got the message "insufficient coolant engine damage may occur". I turned the car off and looked in the reservoir - bone dry! I called BMW Roadside and my car was flat bedded 90miles to the nearest dealership. Turned out to be a blown hose going to the auxiliary radiator. Never had a low coolant message or anything prior or since.

neovb · 10-05-2012, 09:10 PM

Nope, the car has never been in for any service (other than the usual oil changes). And it didnt give me that critical failure message, just a simple "youre low on coolant".

I guess I'll call the dealer and see if they can take it in and check it out. I figured if it was a leaky hose or something like that there should be some visible stains on my garage floor....

10-01-2012, 09:13 PM	#1
neovb Private 13 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (1)	Low Coolant Recently my car threw the "low coolant" warning. I called the dealer to make a service appointment, but the guy just said that "its normal" and that all BMWs go through coolant/oil. I was a bit skeptical, seeing as my car only has about 15k miles, but there wasnt much I could do. When I filled up the coolant, it took about 2 quarts to get it back up to level. Has anyone else experienced low coolant levels? As far as I can tell, I dont see any smoke and there aren't any leaks that I can note on the garage floor.
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10-02-2012, 07:03 AM	#2
Puerto Rican 335d Brigadier General 236 Rep 3,488 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 335d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Puerto Rico(Dominican Republic 03/2017) iTrader: (0)	dont listen to the SA . take it to the dealer and have it checked, I havent hear anything on this, play it safe!! __________________ RENNtech Flash(Lenny Wu)/WAGNER IC Enkei Rajin 18"/Execuhitch Hitch/Koni FSD Soft Ride Bike Rack/Brava Synthetic Motor Oil(Made in Puerto Rico)/Meth(in the works)/CBU done w Andrew EGR Race Pipe (whoa! what an animal it is now)
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10-02-2012, 08:16 AM	#3
kbsilver Captain 143 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 340GT & '22 eDrive40 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	Using 2 quarts is not normal. There is minor loss of coolant over time as when the system occassionaly burps vapor out after building up pressure (cold to hot) some coolant is carried out. This is usually noticed when it turns cold and it triggers a low coolant warning at most once a year. But should only need to add a pint or so for this, not quarts. Was the cooling system ever worked on?
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10-02-2012, 03:53 PM	#4
Kamando Captain 57 Rep 617 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: - iTrader: (3)	Back in September of 2010 I went to start my 335d and got the message "insufficient coolant engine damage may occur". I turned the car off and looked in the reservoir - bone dry! I called BMW Roadside and my car was flat bedded 90miles to the nearest dealership. Turned out to be a blown hose going to the auxiliary radiator. Never had a low coolant message or anything prior or since.
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10-05-2012, 09:10 PM	#5
neovb Private 13 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335d Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (1)	Nope, the car has never been in for any service (other than the usual oil changes). And it didnt give me that critical failure message, just a simple "youre low on coolant". I guess I'll call the dealer and see if they can take it in and check it out. I figured if it was a leaky hose or something like that there should be some visible stains on my garage floor....
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