10-03-2022, 07:55 AM | #1 |
Major
1009
Rep 1,185
Posts
Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: NJ
|
"Add Coolant"
2021 M550i with 6004 miles. Just received the "add coolant" warning this morning. Was aware this was common but does it happen at 6k miles?
I do know it did get serviced at around 3k miles (5 months ago) when I took over the vehicle. Not sure exactly what was done but at least an oil change I believe. Would coolant have been topped off then or probably not? And how long can I go on driving before I can get it serviced? |
10-03-2022, 10:43 AM | #2 |
Major General
2795
Rep 5,113
Posts |
This seems to be a common issue, just search through these threads and you'll find some
Had this myself which turned out to be a faulty reservoir What I would say is :- Car is under warranty so no worries about cost Don't be fobbed by dealer if they say it's normal and offer to top it up Coolant should leak out at all , it's a sealed system If you do want to buy some coolant , bmw parts sell some . Guess it depends how low it really is, can you see at all in the reservoirs? Probably ok to drive to dealers gently but at first sign of temp gauge climbing, stop |
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 12:21 PM | #3 |
Captain
158
Rep 866
Posts |
The expansion tank provides a relief function from too high a pressure in the cooling system and is therefore not a completely sealed system:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...g-System-Tech/ "BMW Expansion Tank The expansion tank is also known as the overflow tank or coolant reservoir. As cooling demands change the level of coolant in this tank will go up or down. It's also a place where coolant can spill into when system pressure is too high. The cap on the tank serves a vital purpose of venting/controlling system pressure. Too much pressure needs to be vented to prevent a failure. Too little pressure leads to poor system performance. For this reason the expansion tank, cap, and bleed valve are the highest points of the cooling system. The expansion tank on 1992+ models seems to be the most common source of leaks and broken plastic. It must be a material issue or quality control problem that allows the plastic to split or warp and cause leaks. Failures are not an epidemic and they typically last 5-6 years so maybe that's just their expected demise. Unless the car is tracked or raced, most people simply reinstall an OEM plastic tank with the expectation that it will fail and need replacement again in the future. For ultimate reliability, but higher cost, we offer an aluminum expansion tank for some models." |
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 12:23 PM | #4 |
Major
1009
Rep 1,185
Posts
Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: NJ
|
just started my car after lunch and now the message is gone...
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 12:31 PM | #5 |
Meat Man
3503
Rep 2,380
Posts |
Does burning/smoking coolant have a distinct smell?
__________________
Also, pretty sure mine came with AS tires from factory, so has 130 mph speed limiter. Seems like taking viagra with your dick duct taped to your leg.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 12:43 PM | #6 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1721
Rep 1,646
Posts |
Yes! It smells awful, like toxic. It makes your eyes water its so bad.
My car has been in twice now for "low coolant" and I STILL to this day get that sweet coolant smell inside my garage after a spirited drive. Each time they pressure test the system and say it's good to go. It's bullshit. You cant smell coolant without it leaking out somewhere. The M5 guys have the same thing. Its normally the expansion tank having micro cracks that expand when hot. Getting back to the smell. Both me and Joe had our cars in for that toxic smell. Its coolant that pools and starts cooking in the Deep V section of the motor. BMW even has a TSB on it because its so common. As soon as I mentioned it to my SA, he knew exactly what to do to fix it. They clean that V area up and back to no smell again. BTW OP my car is a 2020 with 13,600 miles on it. And I've had low coolant twice now.
__________________
2020 M550 / Dark Graphite / Napa Saddle Brown / DHP Pkg / Exec Pkg / Luxury Pkg / Parking Asst Pkg
|
Appreciate
1
BMW0121009.00 |
10-03-2022, 12:47 PM | #7 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1721
Rep 1,646
Posts |
Quote:
I've done it twice now. Your car should have the green coolant. I bet you have a hard time getting the cap off. Mine was "glued" to the threads with dried coolant. I had to use adjustable pliers just to get the cap off.
__________________
2020 M550 / Dark Graphite / Napa Saddle Brown / DHP Pkg / Exec Pkg / Luxury Pkg / Parking Asst Pkg
|
|
Appreciate
1
Mandingo93503.00 |
10-03-2022, 01:16 PM | #8 | |
Meat Man
3503
Rep 2,380
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Also, pretty sure mine came with AS tires from factory, so has 130 mph speed limiter. Seems like taking viagra with your dick duct taped to your leg.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 01:35 PM | #9 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1721
Rep 1,646
Posts |
Quote:
Our motors were upgraded to steel lines. If you dont smell coolant (sweet smell) in garage after driving it hard, you should be good to go. Probably worth a peek inside the coolant tank at minimum though. Like I said it may be a bitch to get off. Mine certainly was. I had to buy a new cap it was so bad. The odd thing for me is even though I can smell it now and then, I never see anything on the garage floor. It must be a very, very, small leak when things are hot.
__________________
2020 M550 / Dark Graphite / Napa Saddle Brown / DHP Pkg / Exec Pkg / Luxury Pkg / Parking Asst Pkg
|
|
Appreciate
1
Mandingo93503.00 |
10-03-2022, 01:41 PM | #10 | ||
Meat Man
3503
Rep 2,380
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Also, pretty sure mine came with AS tires from factory, so has 130 mph speed limiter. Seems like taking viagra with your dick duct taped to your leg.
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 01:46 PM | #11 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1721
Rep 1,646
Posts |
If you have coolant cooking it smells REALLY bad. Like plastic burning or something similar. Like I said it was so bad my eyes were watering up.
__________________
2020 M550 / Dark Graphite / Napa Saddle Brown / DHP Pkg / Exec Pkg / Luxury Pkg / Parking Asst Pkg
|
Appreciate
1
Mandingo93503.00 |
10-03-2022, 01:50 PM | #12 | |
Meat Man
3503
Rep 2,380
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Also, pretty sure mine came with AS tires from factory, so has 130 mph speed limiter. Seems like taking viagra with your dick duct taped to your leg.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2022, 02:21 PM | #13 |
Lieutenant
181
Rep 546
Posts |
It will be back. Go to bmw and top off. I bought my own antifreeze, made 50:50 mixture and keep in My garage. Every fall when temp drops, i get that warning.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-04-2022, 11:25 AM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
253
Rep 298
Posts |
That would be because the fluid is warm and has expanded some. The warning will return after the car cools completely, such as overnight.
As others surmised, this always crops up in winter, as temps cool overnight. On my long term E39 I have had to add about a cup of diluted coolant every fall to address the warning light. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-10-2022, 09:41 AM | #16 |
New Member
0
Rep 6
Posts |
Same problem to me. I have filled up the coolant and after few months the message appeared again. Did it again and now it is fine....for how long i do not know. All the parts of the car are dry and no leak or something similar...
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-11-2022, 09:13 PM | #17 |
Private
18
Rep 54
Posts |
I was doing this over a 12 month period - various theories from the mechanic. Ended up having to change the expansion tank - hopefully when I get it back next week itll be solved. Not a cheap part out of warranty and only 45k miles.
__________________
2017 540i x-Drive, M-Sport, Carbon Black and all the options..
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-12-2022, 05:26 AM | #18 | |
Meat Man
3503
Rep 2,380
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Also, pretty sure mine came with AS tires from factory, so has 130 mph speed limiter. Seems like taking viagra with your dick duct taped to your leg.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-12-2022, 07:48 AM | #19 |
Captain
1929
Rep 817
Posts |
Was one of the several issue's on my '20 550i,tech said its common and "don't worry" you won't toast a head gasket or piston. Could definitely smell that unmistakable sweet odor of coolant when parked in my garage a few days prior to the warning popping up on the dash
__________________
-'24 X5MC,'22 430i
-'09 Busa,'05 GSXR-1K(GT28R turbo)'00 Busa(GT3582) Gone but not forgotten: -'22 X3MC,'20 M550i,'18 X2,F30 328xi,'07 E63 AMG (1st W211 63 in the 11s),997 C4S Cab,CLS55 AMG,E55 AMG,C55AMG |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|