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      10-22-2018, 08:59 AM   #23
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Had coolant issues on my 340, they changed the radiator one of the plastic joints had come undone.

Issue came back last week, topped it off and haven’t had issues since, no signs of leaking on the ground.
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      10-23-2018, 04:11 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by emre View Post
Driven extremely hard
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      10-30-2018, 12:39 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwenga View Post
I have received the coolant low two times now in the following month. The first time I was able to add some coolant in the smaller reservoir to the left when facing the engine from the front of the car. However, the larger reservoir, to the right, I am unable to open it. I'm wondering if I am missing something about how to remove that cap? I twist it counterclockwise to misalign the arrows but then it doesn't want to move anymore nor can I pull it straight up. Any help is appreciated as the manual is useless.
I'm new to BMW so forgive me for any ignorance I may be showing. And yes, I did Google this but came up empty handed - not one video or instruction on how to remove that cap.
Thanks...

Btw, I have a 2018 540i, bought with 4900 miles CPO, now has about 8500 miles..
the right side reservoir cap is hard to open. i had to put a towel over it and twist it as hard as i could and it finally opened. use more force or get someone who is stronger to open it. it will open, i just had to add more coolant this morning.
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      10-31-2018, 06:03 AM   #26
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Originally Posted by drmlee View Post
the right side reservoir cap is hard to open. i had to put a towel over it and twist it as hard as i could and it finally opened. use more force or get someone who is stronger to open it. it will open, i just had to add more coolant this morning.
Funny thing on my 2019 540i the only caps labeled are for oil and windshield washer fluids.
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      10-31-2018, 06:25 AM   #27
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My 7 series have the same problem for the last 2 years. They tried to fix it, changed some stuff and today again I got the same warning. 7-8 months ago all coolant leaked while driving. And today after 50 km driving left the car at parking lot and after coming back surprise surprise coolant on the ground. BMW refuse to take it back and insist of "fixing"
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      11-02-2018, 02:31 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by pr0gi View Post
My 7 series have the same problem for the last 2 years. They tried to fix it, changed some stuff and today again I got the same warning. 7-8 months ago all coolant leaked while driving. And today after 50 km driving left the car at parking lot and after coming back surprise surprise coolant on the ground. BMW refuse to take it back and insist of "fixing"
Is this a 740i?
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      11-02-2018, 05:20 PM   #29
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Coolant top up? https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1534299
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      11-11-2018, 06:22 PM   #30
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Coolant level low. Only 7,200 miles. Called dealer and they said not to drive it but yet have it towed in. Was told either air bubble from factory or "There is a part known to expand that we have been having problems with coolant issues" from the dealer. Won't get car back for a few days.
Update: pressurized and no leaks. Was told "BMW told dealers this is a known problem on this model and due to the factory not filling coolant level all the way the coolant dropped below level line due to temperature dropping."
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      11-13-2018, 03:31 AM   #31
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Had a G31 540 rental from Hertz over the weekend. Had 14k on it and I was surprised to get a coolant low warning when I started it on Sunday.
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      11-23-2018, 03:53 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drmlee View Post
the right side reservoir cap is hard to open. i had to put a towel over it and twist it as hard as i could and it finally opened. use more force or get someone who is stronger to open it. it will open, i just had to add more coolant this morning.
NOOOOOOO!!! Do NOT apply extra force. The cap is not opening because it locks under system pressure. Wait for it to TOTALLY cool down. Also, if you look next to the cap you will see the system air bleed. Use a straight screwdriver and CAREFULLY crack it open a bit it to bleed system pressure. If the cap isn't opening easily stop before you break it.
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      11-24-2018, 12:37 AM   #33
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Got the same issue on my 2018 m550. Just brought the car back to dealership and I believe there is a recall on this. I think it's a known issue for g30 5 series.
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      11-24-2018, 06:47 PM   #34
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Same issue. Car has approx. 6300 miles on the clock. Got it to the dealer, they tested it for leaks, nothing found, topped off the coolant and so far so good since then. Its been about a week now.
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      11-25-2018, 03:50 AM   #35
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Yesterday was my turn...

As we started the car, which had overnighted in the garage I got this message. Later, when driving the car at night, in freezing temperatures, the error message was gone.

This morning, after the engine had cooled off properly I went to check the coolant levels in both the main loop and the auxiliary loop.

Both levels were below min-level. Also, as you can see there are some deposits on the engine cooler cap, that one was DIFFICULT to open, even though the engine was stone cold. I guess those deposits acted like glue.

Highly worrisome, I've reached out to my service partner and am awaiting reply. In my previous 18 year ownership of our beloved 326 e46 I never had to top off coolant. That this should happen on a seven month old 540 raises a lot of questions.
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      11-27-2018, 11:32 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mback12000 View Post
NOOOOOOO!!! Do NOT apply extra force. The cap is not opening because it locks under system pressure. Wait for it to TOTALLY cool down. Also, if you look next to the cap you will see the system air bleed. Use a straight screwdriver and CAREFULLY crack it open a bit it to bleed system pressure. If the cap isn't opening easily stop before you break it.
the cap does NOT lock under pressure in any car's cooling system. if you open while hot, the coolant will come gushing out and there is a possibility to get burned if you dont use a rag/towel. (best to open while cold) the bleeder screws intention is not used for what you're describing and it would be impossible to crack the cap as long as you're loosening (turning left) it.
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      11-27-2018, 01:24 PM   #37
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Another relevant thread here;

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1459766

It has happened to me twice now:
First around ~4,000 miles
Second around ~9,200 miles

Hoping this isn't an every 4000 miles thing...
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      11-27-2018, 02:12 PM   #38
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UPDATE:

So I took the car to the dealership and they filled almost a full litre of coolant. There was the usual talk of an air bubble trapped, which I call BS. After all, I drove the car around Germany, France and Spain this summer in searing heat, often at V-max - if that doesn't percolate the coolant inside I don't know what will.

The service guy (who is quite knowledgable, I'll give him that) said that it is not uncommon for 540s to "drink" coolant.

On top of everything else I believe he over-filled the coolant chamber - I don't know if you can see it in the pic, but the top of the MAX-level is barely visible.


Is it dangerous to over-fill the coolant reservoirs? It is freezing in Sweden at the moment, so the risk of overheating is limited, but I'm kinda nervous.

Where does the cooling liquid go? I've checked in my garage and there is no coolant spill under the car?
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      11-27-2018, 02:14 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timmahh View Post
Another relevant thread here;

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1459766

It has happened to me twice now:
First around ~4,000 miles
Second around ~9,200 miles

Hoping this isn't an every 4000 miles thing...
Can the rest of you guys who've had the same message please check your coolant reservoirs (with a cold engine) and report whether there has been additional, on-going coolant consumption?

This would certainly negate the whole "air pocket from factory" theory..
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      11-27-2018, 02:29 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timmahh View Post
Another relevant thread here;

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1459766

It has happened to me twice now:
First around ~4,000 miles
Second around ~9,200 miles

Hoping this isn't an every 4000 miles thing...
i only have 5000 miles on my car and had to do in around 4000 miles also. my previous f06 650 drank coolant like it ate oil. i always had to fill coolant and oil in the n63tu v8tt from new until 35k miles. everytime i took it for service, they never found any leaks? my previous cars, audi s4, s6 and cayenne s all needed coolant topped up here and there also. there are coolant lines running to the turbo for cooling, im guessing some is burning off over time.
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      11-27-2018, 02:49 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zap-xpilot View Post
Can the rest of you guys who've had the same message please check your coolant reservoirs (with a cold engine) and report whether there has been additional, on-going coolant consumption?

This would certainly negate the whole "air pocket from factory" theory..
FYI - For the initial message, both tanks were completely empty. This second one, the smaller tank was completely full. The larger tank was bone dry. I checked it again 4 days later and added a bit more water to the larger tank.

Quote:
Originally Posted by drmlee View Post
i only have 5000 miles on my car and had to do in around 4000 miles also. my previous f06 650 drank coolant like it ate oil. i always had to fill coolant and oil in the n63tu v8tt from new until 35k miles. everytime i took it for service, they never found any leaks? my previous cars, audi s4, s6 and cayenne s all needed coolant topped up here and there also. there are coolant lines running to the turbo for cooling, im guessing some is burning off over time.
I'm not an expert in fluid dynamics or any physics etc.. but isn't the entire cooling system sealed? If it's burning off, it should be producing steam somewhere and that has to escape. I have noticed a hot coolant smell before when getting out of my car, but not with any specific frequency (and there is dried residue around the cap, but assumed it was from when the dealer opened it hot). Perhaps the coolant is getting so hot that it is, on occasion, activating some pressure relief mechanism in the tank or cap?
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      11-29-2018, 12:52 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timmahh View Post
FYI - For the initial message, both tanks were completely empty. This second one, the smaller tank was completely full. The larger tank was bone dry. I checked it again 4 days later and added a bit more water to the larger tank.



I'm not an expert in fluid dynamics or any physics etc.. but isn't the entire cooling system sealed? If it's burning off, it should be producing steam somewhere and that has to escape. I have noticed a hot coolant smell before when getting out of my car, but not with any specific frequency (and there is dried residue around the cap, but assumed it was from when the dealer opened it hot). Perhaps the coolant is getting so hot that it is, on occasion, activating some pressure relief mechanism in the tank or cap?
im not 100% for certain either, what I do know is that in all my german cars ive owned or own all burn coolant. in all or most, i do also occasionally smell the faint sweet syurpy aroma of hot/burning coolant. i always just fill it at home and as i never see any obvious leaks. when the car was in for warranty or free maintenance, ill bring it up and they'll look at it, pressure test, etc. and always say nothings is wrong. ive accepted the fact that i always have to fill oil and coolant every now and then.
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      12-12-2018, 09:18 AM   #43
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So this morning I received the dreaded low coolant warning message upon opening the door. I then immediately drove to the dealer where the attendant opened the coolant reservoir. The level didn't look that low but what do I know. They topped off the fluid and off they sent me. I will keep an eye on it. First time I get the light since getting the car. Seems these B family turbo engines have a tendency to consume/burn off coolant?

So I can confirm that the B46 2 liter turbo seems to have the same low level coolant issue as the B58 6-cyl turbo.
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      12-12-2018, 01:29 PM   #44
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With the prevalence of this issue (I've had it too in a 540i) I think we have to assume that there must be some sort of common fault - whether that be a filling problem at the factory or some sort of part common to the engines. I really don't see how a so-called "sealed system" can lose liquid, I don't follow that argument myself - either it is sealed or it is not... There's got to be a joint in the cooling system somewhere that is allowing liquid to pass through (at presumably a very slow rate). All we can do is keep badgering our dealers I guess until some bright spark at BMW works it out!
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