Low Coolant Level- Been Driving For A Month- Have A Question. - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

childofbodom27 · 09-23-2009, 09:29 PM

The light came on for the low coolant level about a month ago and has stayed on ever since. Im planning on going to the dealer in a few days but a question i have is: The tempature guage never gets passed the middle 250 temp mark. Do i still have to take it in? Ive been driving for a month with no problem. I dont want to waste my time at the dealer if its the sensors messing up.

piezo · 09-23-2009, 10:15 PM

the gauge measures oil temperature, not coolant (though yes, it would be higher if you were overheating)
why not just check the level yourself?
how is either confirming or ruling out a faulty sensor a waste of time?

neo_ · 09-24-2009, 12:13 AM

Usually when you have a fluid warning, you should go take care of that and not wait a month.

And are you seriously incapable of opening your hood and adding coolant into the coolant tank? You do know that there is a manual floater in the tank that you can reference to, right?

childofbodom27 · 09-24-2009, 04:34 AM

checked it out at chevron and saw the stick was somewhat in, so bought some distilled water and poured it to the correct lvl and now the sensor is gone, yay.

FCPGroton · 09-24-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by childofbodom27

checked it out at chevron and saw the stick was somewhat in, so bought some distilled water and poured it to the correct lvl and now the sensor is gone, yay.

Next time put in a 50/50 mix. Just adding distilled over time will dilute the anti-freeze and make is lease efficient. Just a heads up.

neo_ · 09-24-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCPGroton

will dilute the anti-freeze and make is lease efficient. Just a heads up.

Make what less efficient? The "anti-freeze" from turning into ice? You are correct on that factor. Look at his location, SoCal, I doubt it freezes over there. Water dissipates heat better then anti-freeze.

Richwm · 09-24-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo_

Make what less efficient? The "anti-freeze" from turning into ice? You are correct on that factor. Look at his location, SoCal, I doubt it freezes over there. Water dissipates heat better then anti-freeze.

+1 im glad you said it so I didnt have too.

piezo · 09-25-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo_

Make what less efficient? The "anti-freeze" from turning into ice? You are correct on that factor. Look at his location, SoCal, I doubt it freezes over there. Water dissipates heat better then anti-freeze.

You tropical folks do realize that COOLANT raises the boiling point and contains rust inhibitors, right?

Now someone will chime in with "rust inhibitors? with an aluminum block and plastic radiator tanks?"

raceyBMW · 09-25-2009, 01:26 PM

Boiling point in a pressurized system isn't really an issue...the car will go into limp mode due to coolant temps long before the water/coolant will boil. However the corrosion protection provided by coolant is something to definitely consider...that's why its recommended that even if you live in areas that don't freeze to at least use an 80/20 H2O/coolant mix, or use deionized water and put in water wetter, which also has corrosion inhibiting properties.

ehhhwik · 09-25-2009, 02:10 PM

putting in distilled water for now is fine, i did that before when i had the light on and just waited till the service to have it flushed

FCPGroton · 09-25-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piezo

You tropical folks do realize that COOLANT raises the boiling point and contains rust inhibitors, right?

Now someone will chime in with "rust inhibitors? with an aluminum block and plastic radiator tanks?"

It also helps the radiator remove more heat from the coolant to help keep the car cooler. Water wetter is like coolant on steroids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehhhwik

putting in distilled water for now is fine, i did that before when i had the light on and just waited till the service to have it flushed

Ok, then that is fine. You just don't want to keep doing that. That is all I was trying to say.

742 · 09-25-2009, 03:44 PM

There are certain things that we do in life. Feed the cat. Give the dog water. Pay our bills. And when it comes to cars; coolant, oil and air in the tires.

ENINTY · 09-26-2009, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 742

There are certain things that we do in life. Feed the cat. Give the dog water. Pay our bills. And when it comes to cars; coolant, oil and air in the tires.

But don't give your Dog coolant!

neo_ · 09-26-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piezo

You tropical folks do realize that COOLANT raises the boiling point and contains rust inhibitors, right?

Now someone will chime in with "rust inhibitors? with an aluminum block and plastic radiator tanks?"

Where did you read anyone recommending to run straight water?

And last time I checked, our cylinder sleeves are not aluminum.

Are you aware what anti-freeze even mostly consists of?

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

Boiling point in a pressurized system isn't really an issue...the car will go into limp mode due to coolant temps long before the water/coolant will boil. However the corrosion protection provided by coolant is something to definitely consider...that's why its recommended that even if you live in areas that don't freeze to at least use an 80/20 H2O/coolant mix, or use deionized water and put in water wetter, which also has corrosion inhibiting properties.

Finally someone that sounds like they aren't pulling facts out of their ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCPGroton

It also helps the radiator remove more heat from the coolant to help keep the car cooler. Water wetter is like coolant on steroids.

You really need to stop stop posting your invalid theories.

The only thing that helps the radiator remove heat is the air that goes through it (naturally and with the aid of the radiator fan).

Water wetter is normally used as an additive for individuals running a mostly straight water mix. It helps to prevent rust.

Although it is not uncommon for it to be added to a normal coolant mix.

742 · 09-26-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

But don't give your Dog coolant!

I don't know, he just helped himself to a bunch of cookies that were the dining room table.

neo_ · 09-26-2009, 07:35 PM

Anti-Freeze actually tastes very sweet and very poisonous if ingested.

09-23-2009, 09:29 PM	#1
childofbodom27 Private Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 60 iTrader: (0)	Low Coolant Level- Been Driving For A Month- Have A Question. The light came on for the low coolant level about a month ago and has stayed on ever since. Im planning on going to the dealer in a few days but a question i have is: The tempature guage never gets passed the middle 250 temp mark. Do i still have to take it in? Ive been driving for a month with no problem. I dont want to waste my time at the dealer if its the sensors messing up.
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09-23-2009, 10:15 PM	#2
piezo unstratified Drives: '07 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New England Posts: 162 iTrader: (0)	the gauge measures oil temperature, not coolant (though yes, it would be higher if you were overheating) why not just check the level yourself? how is either confirming or ruling out a faulty sensor a waste of time?

09-25-2009, 02:10 PM	#10
ehhhwik Brigadier General Drives: 09' BMW 335d, 07' BMW E92 328i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 3,432 iTrader: (5)	putting in distilled water for now is fine, i did that before when i had the light on and just waited till the service to have it flushed __________________ Current: 09' E90 335d - Titanium Silver/Black Leatherette/Sports Package/6AT Paddle Shift/USB Integration/19" Staggered Breyton GT Gloss Black Retired: 07' E92 328i (Jet Black)

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09-24-2009, 12:13 AM	#3
neo_ Private First Class Drives: E92 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 145 iTrader: (5)	Usually when you have a fluid warning, you should go take care of that and not wait a month. And are you seriously incapable of opening your hood and adding coolant into the coolant tank? You do know that there is a manual floater in the tank that you can reference to, right?

09-24-2009, 04:34 AM	#4
childofbodom27 Private Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 60 iTrader: (0)	checked it out at chevron and saw the stick was somewhat in, so bought some distilled water and poured it to the correct lvl and now the sensor is gone, yay.

09-25-2009, 01:26 PM	#9
raceyBMW king of the hills Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,462 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 530i [4.25] 2007 335i Coupe [4.07]	Boiling point in a pressurized system isn't really an issue...the car will go into limp mode due to coolant temps long before the water/coolant will boil. However the corrosion protection provided by coolant is something to definitely consider...that's why its recommended that even if you live in areas that don't freeze to at least use an 80/20 H2O/coolant mix, or use deionized water and put in water wetter, which also has corrosion inhibiting properties.

09-25-2009, 03:44 PM	#12
742 Major Drives: E90 325i; 1974 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA Posts: 1,188 iTrader: (0)	There are certain things that we do in life. Feed the cat. Give the dog water. Pay our bills. And when it comes to cars; coolant, oil and air in the tires.

09-26-2009, 07:35 PM	#16
neo_ Private First Class Drives: E92 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 145 iTrader: (5)	Anti-Freeze actually tastes very sweet and very poisonous if ingested.