[Drifttime85]

Given ive never owned a bmw before so im curious, but over time if there were no leaks wouldn’t you hypothetically be overfilling your coolant ? So during the summer you should have an overfilled reservoir and after a couple years of this you could have 16 oz extra in your system.

[jcy]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

Perfectly normal.

Noticed you're in Seattle, do you know any indie mechanics who could be trusted with an ATF drain and fill?

OP: Sorry for hijacking your thread

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by jcy

Noticed you're in Seattle, do you know any indie mechanics who could be trusted with an ATF drain and fill?

OP: Sorry for hijacking your thread

Strictly Euro Automotive LLC, Lakewood, WA Ask for Ben, the owner.
They specialize in BMW and Mercedes only.
https://strictlyeuroauto.com/
I'm not due on my M550iX, but am due on my E39 540 M-Sport and he is doing trans full service (filter, pan gasket, etc) and diff this Monday, along with a coolant flush and fill.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Drifttime85

Given ive never owned a bmw before so im curious, but over time if there were no leaks wouldn’t you hypothetically be overfilling your coolant ? So during the summer you should have an overfilled reservoir and after a couple years of this you could have 16 oz extra in your system.

No.

Even in a sealed system there is some evaporative loss still. The system, like any, works within a range. On a typical domestic or Japanese car the reservoir is clear and has a "low" and "high" range, same on your BMW.

[Drifttime85]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

No.

Even in a sealed system there is some evaporative loss still. The system, like any, works within a range. On a typical domestic or Japanese car the reservoir is clear and has a "low" and "high" range, same on your BMW.

I think it’s two things for me. One is the verbiage from my SA describing the issue as ambient weather. Second, I’ve had a lot of turbo cars and I’m just not used to seeing coolant levels evaporating at 8k miles of a new car.

I’ll do more research on the motor and bmw but if this is normal, should be purchasing coolant to refill every service ?

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Drifttime85

I think it’s two things for me. One is the verbiage from my SA describing the issue as ambient weather. Second, I’ve had a lot of turbo cars and I’m just not used to seeing coolant levels evaporating at 8k miles of a new car.

I’ll do more research on the motor and bmw but if this is normal, should be purchasing coolant to refill every service ?

My last post on this thread.

1) I posted before here, the SA is correct. Cold weather causes the coolant level in the system to contract and can trigger the low coolant light. Whether you choose to believe that or not is up to you.

2) The coolant may or may not have evaporated...no one knows (including you) that the level was correct when it left the factory

Up to you if you wish to keep some additional coolant around for top ups. It should not require it other than at the start of winter, as mentioned previously. You are under warranty...if the dealer is not far, you can simply drop by if the low coolant warning were to pop up and they will add the 6 or so ounces and you are on your way.

PS, thanks for posting your service video...cool to see the M Sport differential (limited slip) used from 2020 on has a coolant fins on it. Alas, my 2018 has an open differential (non locking) and no fins.

[maDjzo]

I just got my first coolant notification as well. Left the car in the driveway overnight with sub 0 temps, next morning started and received idrive alert. Pulled into the garage and checked both reservoirs, main was below MIN, topped it up with Pentosin NF 50/50 mix. Took a few cups. No leaks noticed anywhere in the engine bay or on floor. Original owner had the coolant lines upgraded after 24k miles from records.

[shawntech]

Same issue with 2019 m850i which has the updated tu3 engine found in the 2020+ m550. Took in several times and despite losing some coolant every 6k miles and smelling it near the radiator when after run fans are on... Dealer repeatedly states pressure test passed and coolant smell present but normal operation.

Very disappointed.

[Drifttime85]

Originally Posted by shawntech

Same issue with 2019 m850i which has the updated tu3 engine found in the 2020+ m550. Took in several times and despite losing some coolant every 6k miles and smelling it near the radiator when after run fans are on... Dealer repeatedly states pressure test passed and coolant smell present but normal operation.

Very disappointed.

How did they describe the loss of coolant each time ?

[shawntech]

Originally Posted by Drifttime85

How did they describe the loss of coolant each time ?

"Our loaners do it too, you can't touch one of the V8s without adding coolant"

[Drifttime85]

Weather just got cold for the first this year and my coolant warning popped up again. Scheduled a service for the end of the month with a loaner. Got a feeling I’m going to be disappointed again.

[G30.Drew]

Curious to know what ended up happening!

[Drifttime85]

Originally Posted by G30.Drew

Curious to know what ended up happening!

Long story short. Sold my m550i. Got a new 25 G05 a few months back. Better motor so far.

[Greg Kulbick]

Haven't gotten the notification yet, but noticed a small puddle under the car at lunch yesterday. Just got the car(2018 M550) a couple weeks ago, no issues. Yesterday morning was the coldest morning we've had since I got it. No increase after lunch, no puddles at dinner, no puddles in the driveway overnight. Cold again last night, drive to work this morning, come out at lunch to a new small puddle. I can see the evidence of the coolant spraying in the engine bay, but didn't see any signs to indicate where its originating from. Didn't happen until it got to low 30s overnight.

[Greg Kulbick]

Originally Posted by Greg Kulbick

Haven't gotten the notification yet, but noticed a small puddle under the car at lunch yesterday. Just got the car(2018 M550) a couple weeks ago, no issues. Yesterday morning was the coldest morning we've had since I got it. No increase after lunch, no puddles at dinner, no puddles in the driveway overnight. Cold again last night, drive to work this morning, come out at lunch to a new small puddle. I can see the evidence of the coolant spraying in the engine bay, but didn't see any signs to indicate where its originating from. Didn't happen until it got to low 30s overnight.

Small update. Just had the hood up swapping out the grills. Car has braided lines going to the turbos, and main concentration of the coolant residue is front driver side, so wondering if it might be the intercooler. Saw a notice somewhere that this may have an extended warranty. Anyone have that info handy to possibly confirm?

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Greg Kulbick

Small update. Just had the hood up swapping out the grills. Car has braided lines going to the turbos, and main concentration of the coolant residue is front driver side, so wondering if it might be the intercooler. Saw a notice somewhere that this may have an extended warranty. Anyone have that info handy to possibly confirm?

Attached

[Greg Kulbick]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

Attached

Thanks. Scheduled an appointment online, first I could get in is next Thursday. Still no low coolant indicator, but same criteria. Only seeing leaks after driving to work on mornings around 30° or lower.

[Greg Kulbick]

In what will hopefully be the final update on the current leak saga, it was the plastic line from the reservoir. Had the hood up with the engine running, noticed a drip right where it meets the rubber hose and the fan was blowing coolant around. Thought maybe the spring clamp had lost some strength or the hose was deteriorating a bit from heat and decided to put a worm gear clamp on it. Tighten down clamp and the torque from tightening it broke the plastic line from the reservoir right in front of where it meets the rubber.

I'm convinced that pipe was cracked from becoming brittle, causing the fluid I was seeing and I just expedited its demise. Local BMW dealer had a couple in stock, I had it swapped out in a few minutes and back on the road. So far no more leak. Cleaned up as much coolant residue as I could, so I should be able to notice any new splatters.

[Greg Kulbick]

We're back! Low coolant warning yesterday morning, topped off. Came out at lunch today and noticed a small puddle under the front pass side. Same thing when leaving work. Got home and popped the hood with the car still running. No visible leaks, no accumulation or evidence of a leak from higher up running down. Evidence on underside of coolant dripping at front pass side. Any common culprits in that corner?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Greg Kulbick

We're back! Low coolant warning yesterday morning, topped off. Came out at lunch today and noticed a small puddle under the front pass side. Same thing when leaving work. Got home and popped the hood with the car still running. No visible leaks, no accumulation or evidence of a leak from higher up running down. Evidence on underside of coolant dripping at front pass side. Any common culprits in that corner?

The drain for the a/c?

[Greg Kulbick]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

The drain for the a/c?

Its not condensation, the drips on the underside of the car behind the air dam are green.

[Greg Kulbick]

Took the air dam and front plastic tray off after work last night. Saw no leaks anywhere but there was coolant on the upward facing side of the cover. It has two triangle shaped holes, I imagine for drainage. There was a few paths you could tell coolant/water were escaping. There was also coolant visible on a couple of the bolt heads. The cover also has what appear to be two absorbant pads that I could pull moisture from with paper towels. No drips in the driveway while under the car. Too dark and didnt inspect the driveway when i left this morning. Then, of course, I get the low coolant warning about ten minutes into the car running as I'm on my way to work.

I also don't think it's any coincidence that a jug of coolant fits almost perfectly into the little side cubbyholes in the trunk.