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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Mechanical Maintenance - Break-in, Oil, Fluids, Servicing Low coolant

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      01-23-2018, 12:00 PM   #1
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Low coolant

Got a low coolant light this morning, checked both reservoirs and they are both at minimum. Car has a little over 4k miles so.. naturally this makes no sense. Drove about 120 miles yesterday on a road trip, and this morning when I started it, the warning appeared.

Has anyone else had any coolant level issues?
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      01-24-2018, 11:09 AM   #2
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I had the same thing yesterday. What a coincidence.
But, after a restart, it went away and it hasn't came back since.
I will check on it today when the engine cool. Forgot to check yesterday.
I have about 4700 miles on it too.
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      01-24-2018, 11:33 AM   #3
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I filled them up with a bottle of water (enough to stop the warning) and took it to the dealer, they topped it off and said it wasn't uncommon.. though.. it's a sealed system so it seems uncommon, especially at 4200 miles. Hopefully doesn't happen again and hopefully there is no leak.
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      01-24-2018, 11:54 AM   #4
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Yea, i just filled mine up with distilled water.
Both the radiator reservoir and water-air intercooler reservoir was at the minimum.
I'll bring it to the dealer next week or two, my driver seat making a click noice at acceleration after each full stop.
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      09-03-2018, 04:07 AM   #5
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Can you guys recommend any particular coolant brand/spec I can use on mine 2017 530i?

Got the warning of low coolant which went away but I wanted to fill it up.

Thanks
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      09-04-2018, 11:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by julioccuk View Post
Can you guys recommend any particular coolant brand/spec I can use on mine 2017 530i?

Got the warning of low coolant which went away but I wanted to fill it up.

Thanks
Factory fluid; I see no point in mixing another brand or formula since the majority of it is what the factory installed. Depending on your climate, distilled water may be all you need.
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      09-05-2018, 04:34 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timmahh View Post
Factory fluid; I see no point in mixing another brand or formula since the majority of it is what the factory installed. Depending on your climate, distilled water may be all you need.
Thanks for that, I am in London where it rarely snows so I will go with the fluid instead of water.
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      11-19-2018, 12:30 PM   #8
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Hmph. Well, 9270 miles. Started the car this morning and just as I was about to leave, the low coolant light warning popped up again.

I checked and this time the smaller tank was completely full, but the larger tank was bone dry. Slightly different than the first time this happened, as both tanks were dry.

Filled it up and .. I guess I'll see how it goes.
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      12-18-2018, 08:18 AM   #9
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Just went for 25k servicing. Service engineer reported water stain mark at coolant water pump, suggested to replace as under warranty. Done it, now monitoring drive.
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      12-27-2018, 01:58 AM   #10
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Had "Coolant too low". Car is 1 1/2 old and 30kkm (530d / US 540d). I was surprised as I never had such issues with past cars.

Dealer said it could happen. Perhaps due to hot summer in Europe ( I doubt that). Car was serviced 3 month ago. I guess they never checked the level and dealer said it is not part of the checklist anymore ?? Anyways they filled it up (1 liter maybe) and I got a bottle with me just in case as I insisted. No cost to me. I will monitor the level to see what happens.
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      12-27-2018, 04:08 AM   #11
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Ive noted that my 520d coolant was low, no warning light as yet. But marked it with a pen yesterday when cold so i can keep an eye on it. Mine is circa 30k miles but not had low level warning lights in that time.
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      12-27-2018, 06:57 AM   #12
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Ofcourse dealer overfilled (even filled up on a warm engine &#128563. Go figure they didn't get it right.

Had to extract 0,25-0,3 l.

Attach before (too low) and overfilled incl. what I extracted
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      12-29-2018, 02:51 AM   #13
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I just got my coolant light on as well. My car is just over 5k miles. It's really strange to get it this early. Going to fill it with distilled water for now.
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      03-05-2019, 01:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walesy View Post
Ive noted that my 520d coolant was low, no warning light as yet. But marked it with a pen yesterday when cold so i can keep an eye on it. Mine is circa 30k miles but not had low level warning lights in that time.
Few weeks after I said this, mine flagged up the low coolant warning.

I contacted the dealer who stated it was normal...no I don't think so pal.

Yesterday it dropped again, along with rough startup so I called BMW who came out. He had to top up the coolant again and was concerned that it was losing coolant! He then called ahead for a courtesy car.

Fast forward to today, no fault could be found apparently. So I kicked up a wee bit and told them if that's the case, I want it in writing and some validity on the statement for when the warranty is out so I am not landed with a big bill in 1.5 years and also when it drops again, BMW assistance will be out to top it up so they can record it themselves. This sort of raised some eye brows. I never really act like this as I know they have guidelines, but I explained I was not buying the explanation as my last 20 D's didn't use coolant so what has changed?

They raised a ticket and BMW are now replacing the EGR cooler, car will be away for a few weeks now as they are on backlog.

Also, exhaust rubbers have split, so they are being replaced too.

Just thought I would keep you updated.
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      03-12-2019, 04:57 AM   #15
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My G31 has also used some coolant and it is also hesitating (intermittently) under gentle acceleration, especially from cold. I had the same issue with my previous F11 and the EGR valve / cooler had to be replaced. So I suspect it's the same problem.

It's booked in at the dealer in a couple of weeks time. As has already been mentioned there is a back log of at least a few weeks for a replacement EGR valve due to the recall on F series cars.

Whilst there are no specific recalls for the G30 in the relation to the EGR, it would appear that the problem is also affecting some of these cars as well.

As said earlier in the thread it's not normal for cars to use coolant under regular operating conditions. The only cars I've put coolant in for the past 300,000k miles have been the ones with a faulty EGR cooler!
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      03-12-2019, 03:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hollpe View Post
My G31 has also used some coolant and it is also hesitating (intermittently) under gentle acceleration, especially from cold. I had the same issue with my previous F11 and the EGR valve / cooler had to be replaced. So I suspect it's the same problem.

It's booked in at the dealer in a couple of weeks time. As has already been mentioned there is a back log of at least a few weeks for a replacement EGR valve due to the recall on F series cars.

Whilst there are no specific recalls for the G30 in the relation to the EGR, it would appear that the problem is also affecting some of these cars as well.

As said earlier in the thread it's not normal for cars to use coolant under regular operating conditions. The only cars I've put coolant in for the past 300,000k miles have been the ones with a faulty EGR cooler!

Kick up mate...they were not going to do a thing with mine until I raised concerns and said what I said. If it does need topped up, they will be out to top it up. . Mine passed the pressure tests and the camera inspection.

Anyway, if your car is not had the recall and its found to be at fault or suspected, they will prioritise you..mine was meant to be away for a few weeks but only took 4 days total.

One thing I have noted, the car starts better in the morning. I had a concern that the cars 'cold start' was not coming in and idling too low thus rough idle until it picked up. So far, this seems to have been cured also with the change, the revs pick up now towards the 1k rpm.

Its a South Korean manufactured part apparently.
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      06-14-2019, 09:19 PM   #17
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FYI; at 13,000 miles now. Smaller tank is still full, larger tank is at minimum (checked when cold after being parked overnight).
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      08-10-2019, 01:43 PM   #18
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There is internal note regarding leak. Heating hose touching streeing rack. The fix is to replace hose and add plastic clip to keep hose away as it tear off slowly.. and leak...

All cars affected up to 08.2018 (g3x)
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      08-15-2019, 08:54 PM   #19
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Anyone have the TSB on this? My piece of shit m550 has this among a low oil light (oil not low) and a passenger restraint error (2nd time).

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      11-22-2019, 01:34 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin30x View Post
There is internal note regarding leak. Heating hose touching streeing rack. The fix is to replace hose and add plastic clip to keep hose away as it tear off slowly.. and leak...

All cars affected up to 08.2018 (g3x)
did you experienced the leak because of this issue with the heating hose touching the steering?

because the level of the coolant is very low for my car.

also, before this issue, often when turning on steady manouvers, some noice is coming from engine bay area.

it is like something scratching, but the noise is very powerfull. it not seems to me to be like a hose beeing scratched by the steering rack.

im curious if there is any connection with that.

if matters, my car is from 02.2017 and have 40.000miles.I saw that everybody experienced this very early after buying the car

Last edited by edit; 11-22-2019 at 02:02 PM..
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      11-22-2019, 11:48 PM   #21
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In my case it took about 2.5 years to come to light.
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      12-01-2019, 10:34 AM   #22
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I have had the same thing. I am not really sure why this happens. I have no puddles or leaks. I think if I had a leak I would at least be able to smell it. My car was assembled in Austria not Germany so that might have something to do with it. I think what is happening is they are not bleeding the cooling system enough when they build the cars. This engine has a mechanical water pump, not an electrical one. So that might have something to do with it. I just bought a quart of anti-freeze and some distilled water at the grocery store and have topped it twice. A total of about 20 oz in 22,845 miles. Mixed 50/50 BMW antifreeze with distilled water. Not really an issue so far

Last edited by b74heavy; 12-08-2019 at 05:48 PM..
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