BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Coolant level low

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-09-2019, 07:26 AM   #111
en1gma
Lieutenant
en1gma's Avatar
United Kingdom
198
Rep
469
Posts

Drives: G03 X3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by en1gma View Post
[QUOTE/]
Have your active shutters checked. That's probably triggering check engine light

Yes - will do, as I've seen that reported here in various posts...[/QUOTE]
Car went in for first service, the coolant top-up and ongoing engine light issue was raised with them.

Dealer couldn't find anything wrong... but they did a software upgrade which they said should help(!) and also deal with the intermittent rear reversing camera blackouts; telling me to come back in if they happened again

I see that my car is now with i-step version S15A-19-07-553

No obvious (visible or driving experience) changes that I can tell. Apart from I now have the analogue clock option for the main display!
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2019, 07:15 PM   #112
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

So after 7 or 8 times having to top up the car after seeing the low coolant warnings.

BMW finally agreed to bring my car in for a throughout inspection for warranty because the car was leaking coolant down the left front bumper after every trip when the engine has been running for a while.

I guess everyone with a recurring issue should contact BMW and get their G30s checked ASAP. The low coolant went away for around 20000km and now it is constantly asking for coolant every 3-4 days. It is that bad and I forced BMW to take it in by using their Roadside Assistance and towed the vehicle back to the workshop.

It seems to get worse as the vehicle ages. Mine is one of the first G30 unit built in Germany 2016, odo is now around 54000km.

I’ll keep you guys updated.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2019, 02:18 AM   #113
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

UPDATE: BMW found a leak in the radiator and it has to be replaced. Strange thing is they seems to conveniently have a ready supply of radiators in stock and it can be replaced within days, whereas the wireless charging pad and coin compartment had to be flown in from Germany which took 2 weeks. My guess would be this leak issue is now recognised as a known issue, pretty sure I’ve seen another member here had to get their rad replaced for similar issue.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      10-18-2019, 03:26 PM   #114
clee1982
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
796
Rep
1,736
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
hum, I wonder if it's only specific to earlier build, guess most of the later build hasn't gotten to those miles yet to tell...
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2019, 08:36 PM   #115
steve090619
Lieutenant
176
Rep
546
Posts

Drives: bmw 540xi
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: ny

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by clee1982 View Post
hum, I wonder if it's only specific to earlier build, guess most of the later build hasn't gotten to those miles yet to tell...
Quote:
Originally Posted by clee1982 View Post
hum, I wonder if it's only specific to earlier build, guess most of the later build hasn't gotten to those miles yet to tell...
I have an early 2017 build. Add coolant twice, both after 13500 miles. My previous 535 I also had to add coolant every 15k miles.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      10-20-2019, 01:51 AM   #116
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve090619 View Post
I have an early 2017 build. Add coolant twice, both after 13500 miles. My previous 535 I also had to add coolant every 15k miles.
If you have to add coolant more than once and it felt like a pattern then chances are you're up for a leak similar to mine later on.

I pretty much accelerated this to a point where that tiny leak developed into a crack and it started to drip in puddles. Pressure test indicated a leaked expansion tank and it was replaced under warranty.

I filled my coolant almost 8 times already if I'm not wrong
Appreciate 0
      10-20-2019, 05:44 AM   #117
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

My car has displayed this alert twice now so I will get this booked in as a warranty job.
First occasion was after being left for 2 weeks. Subsequent start did not display the message though.
Same agin this morning, car had been parked for a week and same warning but not on subsequent start.
Appreciate 0
      11-05-2019, 12:55 AM   #118
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Dealer checked and found evidence of a leak from one of the reservoirs. It will be replaced under warranty next week.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-05-2019, 02:44 PM   #119
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

Great to hear the positive results! Hopefully the info I provided will act as a base for people to confidently talk to BMW about this issue. It is a common fault with the amount of people mentioned this warning in their vehicles. It's a matter ofntime before the loss of coolant developed into a visible coolant leak. Get that fixed before your warranty runs out, as far as I can see on the BMW warranty job card it costs a few thousands dollars for this job and the wireless charging pad.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-05-2019, 06:12 PM   #120
MAS80
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: '18 540 xdrive
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: WI

iTrader: (0)

2018 540i xdrive M sport. ~10K miles, 10 months of ownership.

Started up this morning, after sitting more often than not in the past 2 weeks. It has been cold here, into 30s at night. Coolant level low warning.

Both tanks look empty. No leaking on the ground that I can see. Both caps were very tight, the bigger tank has what looks like some orange residue on the inside. I'll try to get some pictures.

Waiting for my BMW coolant from amazon to refill.
Appreciate 0
      11-05-2019, 07:53 PM   #121
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MAS80 View Post
2018 540i xdrive M sport. ~10K miles, 10 months of ownership.

Started up this morning, after sitting more often than not in the past 2 weeks. It has been cold here, into 30s at night. Coolant level low warning.

Both tanks look empty. No leaking on the ground that I can see. Both caps were very tight, the bigger tank has what looks like some orange residue on the inside. I'll try to get some pictures.

Waiting for my BMW coolant from amazon to refill.
Keep record of these occurrences because you will need them to talk to BMW once the issue gets worse. And trust me it never magically goes away, this is a fault that BMW should have done a recall on already....
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-05-2019, 11:18 PM   #122
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Look for a light colour powder like substance in the engine bay, that will be the evaporated coolant. My dealer shot a video and posted to me so I could see.

Leak can't be much so it must have taken a while to escape.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-06-2019, 09:17 AM   #123
clee1982
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
796
Rep
1,736
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
Look for a light colour powder like substance in the engine bay, that will be the evaporated coolant. My dealer shot a video and posted to me so I could see.

Leak can't be much so it must have taken a while to escape.
I'm less than 4000 miles a year hopefully if anything goes wrong I'm still within warranty...
Appreciate 0
      11-06-2019, 10:59 AM   #124
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I thought I was low mileage, just 7000 miles a year and only used at weekends.

In uk warranty is 3 years so I have about 3 months left so glad this popped up now. Like anything with bmw ,suspect this isn't a cheap fix if you're paying for it your self.

Only downside is my time to get the car up to the dealership, excuse to have a day off work and look round the dealership at the new and used cars.

Usually something interest to look at, 2 M5s, alpina 3 series, 8 series convertible of note this time. Last time saw one of the rare 760i s.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-07-2019, 05:51 AM   #125
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

If your G30 gave a low coolant warning more than once then chances are you're in for an expansion tank replacement down the track. Either out of your pocket or BMW's pocket is depending on how good you are at pushing BMW to do a coolant system pressure leak test. It's the second plastic tank i the engine bay with the smaller cap. Mine just cracked and leaked coolant, dripping into a puddle everytime I stopped the car. That's how I went through nearly 2l of mixed BMW blue coolant within a month....
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-07-2019, 07:14 AM   #126
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I think time wise just about every bodies cars should still be in warranty ( bar possibly the very first ones that were produced) so worth a check for any signs of leakages and if you find any, get to the dealer.
Mine did do a pressure test and they positively found evidence of the leak as it leaves a light coloured residue behind.
They also did a complimentary quick check over if the car , they noted tread depth on my tyres which were all good.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-07-2019, 08:11 AM   #127
clee1982
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
796
Rep
1,736
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
I think time wise just about every bodies cars should still be in warranty ( bar possibly the very first ones that were produced) so worth a check for any signs of leakages and if you find any, get to the dealer.
Mine did do a pressure test and they positively found evidence of the leak as it leaves a light coloured residue behind.
They also did a complimentary quick check over if the car , they noted tread depth on my tyres which were all good.
dumb question, other than it actually complain about leak, how do you "check"?
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2019, 11:16 AM   #128
AP
Brigadier General
AP's Avatar
2651
Rep
4,977
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Ok not a dumb question

There are 2 reservoirs in the bottom right had side of the engine bay as you stand in front in the car
Unscrew these when the car has cooled down. I found them quite hard to unscrew particularly the large one requiring 2 hands to do so
There is a marker inside with min and max , there should be fluid in there at least up to min. A torch will help see inside

Looking below these reservoirs I saw a light coloured residue , not that obvious but there, again a torch helps

If need to fill up use coolant mixed with distilled water 50:50
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-07-2019, 01:30 PM   #129
steve090619
Lieutenant
176
Rep
546
Posts

Drives: bmw 540xi
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: ny

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
Ok not a dumb question

There are 2 reservoirs in the bottom right had side of the engine bay as you stand in front in the car
Unscrew these when the car has cooled down. I found them quite hard to unscrew particularly the large one requiring 2 hands to do so
There is a marker inside with min and max , there should be fluid in there at least up to min. A torch will help see inside

Looking below these reservoirs I saw a light coloured residue , not that obvious but there, again a torch helps

If need to fill up use coolant mixed with distilled water 50:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
Ok not a dumb question

There are 2 reservoirs in the bottom right had side of the engine bay as you stand in front in the car
Unscrew these when the car has cooled down. I found them quite hard to unscrew particularly the large one requiring 2 hands to do so
There is a marker inside with min and max , there should be fluid in there at least up to min. A torch will help see inside

Looking below these reservoirs I saw a light coloured residue , not that obvious but there, again a torch helps

If need to fill up use coolant mixed with distilled water 50:50
I have added coolant twice so far, both at around 14,000 miles. I think car just burns coolant. If your filling every other week or every 2000 tp 4000 miles, I would then look into a leak.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2019, 02:29 PM   #130
CoolWave911
Private
37
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW G30 530i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve090619 View Post
I have added coolant twice so far, both at around 14,000 miles. I think car just burns coolant. If your filling every other week or every 2000 tp 4000 miles, I would then look into a leak.
Believe it or not there is no such thing as 'burns coolant'. If your car lost coolant then the system has a leak somewhere whether big or small it will develop to a problematic issue later on. I used to think like you because let's admit it we love the vehicle, it's not a cheap car and we try to convince ourselves to overlook things like this. My car initially only asked for coolant once and was all good for a solid 6 months, but since I used it extensively the problems became obvious past 50000km when it developed into a massive leak with visible drips and puddles.

BMW admitted this issue and honoured my warranty, I'm not trying to do fear mongering but it's rather a PSA....great vehicle but they could've done better. I'm surprise they haven't done a recall on the expansion tank already. Based on the number of people confirming the loss of coolant in this forum alone it's quite alarming.
Appreciate 1
clee1982796.00
      11-28-2019, 06:20 AM   #131
clee1982
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
796
Rep
1,736
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Ok got low coolant level, can't do anything since it's thanksgiving... should have bought a bottle ahead, anyone know the part number? Or whatever says BMW coolant OEM on Amazon is good
Appreciate 0
      11-28-2019, 07:06 AM   #132
clee1982
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
796
Rep
1,736
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
is this the pre-mixed version?

https://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/6...REEZE-COOLANT/

think just buy another two bottle stick in the trunk just in case as well

edit:

I see some green residue on one of the hose, can't see any green liquid inside the engine compartment, think will just got to dealer ask them to do a proper test...
Appreciate 0
Post 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 12:28 AM.




5post
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