Coolant Light went on and off today..

greentea335i · 11-20-2007, 07:14 PM

I started my engine tonight and the COOLANT signal came up.. til i stopped by AutoZone for some Preston Coolant. When I got back to my car and start it up again the light WENT AWAY....
did this ever happend to anyone here??

BTW: i didnt fill up the coolant... or else i wouldnt make this post?? common sense
i guess thats sumthing we as BMW owners all have in common in order to own a bimmer right..

11-20-2007, 07:30 PM

uhh maybe because you had low coolant? and it went away because you filled it up?

e90AW335i · 11-20-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that guy nico

uhh maybe because you had low coolant? and it went away because you filled it up?

I think he is saying that he didnt fill it up, but it still went away....

If that is not what he meant then this might be the dumbest post I have read....

NYCGarbagePrince · 11-20-2007, 07:36 PM

Ahhh don't put any coolant in your system that isn't BMW Coolant. I nearly made this mistake and was told to immediately put down the bottle and come to the service department. Apparently it is different.

fullrev · 11-20-2007, 07:45 PM

how many miles on the car?

these cars do burn coolant

greentea335i · 11-20-2007, 08:33 PM

i have 9100miles..
i guess i have to return the coolant n bring it in for service if the light comes up again..
but istn taht to early>?

turbotko · 11-20-2007, 09:14 PM

Actually they don't "burn" coolant. That would be very very bad. The coolant (mainly the water in the coolant) is released as vapor when the cap vents the system. It's perfectly normal to get a low coolant light every 10-15K miles. It will almost always happen during the first start on a cold morning. Once the engine starts to warm up and the coolant expands the light will go out. You will most likely get the light again the next morning unless you do something about it.

To the original OP..............DO NOT ADD PRESTONE OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO YOUR CAR THAT IS NOT BMW COOLANT!!! I recommend distilled water if you're just topping it off. It most likely will only require less than a cup to get it up to level and that small amount won't change the concentration by any measureable amount.

1 more thing.........If you get a low oil light, your car is probably low on oil. If you get a flat tire light, you probably have a flat tire. If you get a low coolant light, YOUR CAR IS LOW ON COOLANT!!!!

e90AW335i · 11-20-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

1 more thing.........If you get a low oil light, your car is probably low on oil. If you get a flat tire light, you probably have a flat tire. If you get a low coolant light, YOUR CAR IS LOW ON COOLANT!!!!

1clean335i · 11-20-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

1 more thing.........If you get a low oil light, your car is probably low on oil. If you get a flat tire light, you probably have a flat tire. If you get a low coolant light, YOUR CAR IS LOW ON COOLANT!!!!

Hopefully that will turn on a light for some people....

zenmaster · 11-20-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

1 more thing.........If you get a low oil light, your car is probably low on oil. If you get a flat tire light, you probably have a flat tire. If you get a low coolant light, YOUR CAR IS LOW ON COOLANT!!!!

Who are you who are so wise in the ways of science?

11-21-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentea335i

BTW: i didnt fill up the coolant... or else i wouldnt make this post?? common sense
i guess thats sumthing we as BMW owners all have in common in order to own a bimmer right..

haha dont even start talking about common sense

lkn · 11-21-2007, 02:56 AM

yes happened to me and there was a leak which was fixed at the dealership.

turbotko · 11-21-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Who are you who are so wise in the ways of science?

Well, I'm no scientist, but I do happen to be a well respected and highly skilled BMW master technician. I was mainly referring to all the BMW customers that get various warning lights on in the dash and immediately think there is something wrong with the "computer". Common sense? I wish I had a dollar for every BMW customer I talk to that lacks any form of common sense.

zenmaster · 11-21-2007, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

Well, I'm no scientist, but I do happen to be a well respected and highly skilled BMW master technician. I was mainly referring to all the BMW customers that get various warning lights on in the dash and immediately think there is something wrong with the "computer". Common sense? I wish I had a dollar for every BMW customer I talk to that lacks any form of common sense.

Yes, you'd be a rich man. Glad to have a helpful BMW tech on here.

MBMWTECH · 11-21-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

Well, I'm no scientist, but I do happen to be a well respected and highly skilled BMW master technician. I was mainly referring to all the BMW customers that get various warning lights on in the dash and immediately think there is something wrong with the "computer". Common sense? I wish I had a dollar for every BMW customer I talk to that lacks any form of common sense.

Id have to agree with you - it amazes me that customers come in everyday
saying my battery light is on when its the coolant light (E46) Read your owners manual & learn what you lights mean.

To the one who started this post - your coolant light comming on when COLD and going off when hot means your slightly low on coolant. Because when the car is cold the level drops down - when its hot the level increases and thus your light goes off. This is why they always say to check coolant when the car is cold for a proper reading of the level.

greentea335i · 11-23-2007, 05:17 PM

well its happening every morning.. (cold start)
n it dissappear after the 1st start..
iduno if i shud schedule an appointment with my SA
or just add cup of distilled water...

drbimmer97 · 11-23-2007, 05:28 PM

duh.....

Grumpa72 · 11-23-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentea335i

well its happening every morning.. (cold start)
n it dissappear after the 1st start..
iduno if i shud schedule an appointment with my SA
or just add cup of distilled water...

I guess you didn't read the previous several comments?

First, read the manual, second, coolant expands when hot (thus the light going out), third, add a cup (or two) of distilled water. Drive the car and if it happens the next morning go to BMW and buy BMW coolant and a new manual.

Finally, read the manual!

e90AW335i · 11-23-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpa72

I guess you didn't read the previous several comments?

First, read the manual, second, coolant expands when hot (thus the light going out), third, add a cup (or two) of distilled water. Drive the car and if it happens the next morning go to BMW and buy BMW coolant and a new manual.

Finally, read the manual!

greentea335i · 11-24-2007, 07:04 PM

i did read the manual.. thats why i bought the coolant right away from autozone
i guess id just go BMW 2morrow and buy the BMW coolant. i just cant believe its a new car and the coolant is already low withing 9k

BK · 11-24-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotko

Actually they don't "burn" coolant. That would be very very bad. The coolant (mainly the water in the coolant) is released as vapor when the cap vents the system. It's perfectly normal to get a low coolant light every 10-15K miles. It will almost always happen during the first start on a cold morning. Once the engine starts to warm up and the coolant expands the light will go out. You will most likely get the light again the next morning unless you do something about it.

Interesting. Today, I got the "low coolant" light for the first time. Actually, it's the only warning light I've ever gotten on my car, which is 1.5 years old and has been problem-free. Except for a low wiper fluid light once. Since this was much more serious, it sort of freaked me out.

I checked the coolant, and the expansion reservoir looked completely EMPTY, well, actually just a little bit at the bottom of it.

I checked for signs of a leak, and couldn't see anything that suggested coolant leaked out.

It was only like 32 degrees outside, so I drove to a BMW dealer that is like 10 minutes away. They said exactly what turbotko said -- it's normal. I have around 15K miles, and they said that's typical that you'd be low on coolant at 15K miles. No leak. To me, that seemed odd, but they topped it off for free, and I was on my way in 5 minutes.

I have to give props to BMW of Fairfax in VA. They get a bad rap here on e90post.com because they usually, well, suck... but I have to hand it to them in this case. They said "just drive in to the service bay and we'll top you off." No asking for any information from me, no filling out any paperwork or anything, just fill up the coolant and send me on my way.

I repaid the favor by purchasing BMW wheel cleaner and Wheel Wax from their parts dept. Getting my winter wheels ready.

greentea335i · 11-24-2007, 10:34 PM

^^^
yeah thats weird.. im only at 9,300miles i see no sign of coolant leak.. guess i have to head over to my dealer tomorrow
its been 3-4days and im still driving my car lol!!

11-20-2007, 07:14 PM	#1
greentea335i Lieutenant 27 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E92 335i w/ SSTT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Coolant Light went on and off today.. I started my engine tonight and the COOLANT signal came up.. til i stopped by AutoZone for some Preston Coolant. When I got back to my car and start it up again the light WENT AWAY.... did this ever happend to anyone here?? BTW: i didnt fill up the coolant... or else i wouldnt make this post?? common sense i guess thats sumthing we as BMW owners all have in common in order to own a bimmer right.. Last edited by greentea335i; 11-20-2007 at 08:31 PM..
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11-20-2007, 07:30 PM	#2
nico335 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	uhh maybe because you had low coolant? and it went away because you filled it up?
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11-20-2007, 07:36 PM	#4
NYCGarbagePrince Major 243 Rep 1,435 Posts Drives: X6 50i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Ahhh don't put any coolant in your system that isn't BMW Coolant. I nearly made this mistake and was told to immediately put down the bottle and come to the service department. Apparently it is different.
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11-20-2007, 07:45 PM	#5
fullrev 2011 E92 M3 34 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	how many miles on the car? these cars do burn coolant __________________ 2011 E92 M3 6MT Gone - 2007 E90 335i
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11-20-2007, 08:33 PM	#6
greentea335i Lieutenant 27 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E92 335i w/ SSTT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	i have 9100miles.. i guess i have to return the coolant n bring it in for service if the light comes up again.. but istn taht to early>?
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11-20-2007, 09:14 PM	#7
turbotko Lieutenant 67 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: georgia iTrader: (3)	Actually they don't "burn" coolant. That would be very very bad. The coolant (mainly the water in the coolant) is released as vapor when the cap vents the system. It's perfectly normal to get a low coolant light every 10-15K miles. It will almost always happen during the first start on a cold morning. Once the engine starts to warm up and the coolant expands the light will go out. You will most likely get the light again the next morning unless you do something about it. To the original OP..............DO NOT ADD PRESTONE OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO YOUR CAR THAT IS NOT BMW COOLANT!!! I recommend distilled water if you're just topping it off. It most likely will only require less than a cup to get it up to level and that small amount won't change the concentration by any measureable amount. 1 more thing.........If you get a low oil light, your car is probably low on oil. If you get a flat tire light, you probably have a flat tire. If you get a low coolant light, YOUR CAR IS LOW ON COOLANT!!!! __________________ 10 AW on fox E90 M3 with 2 pedals, gentleman’s ride 08 AW on fox E92 M3 also 2 pedals, a bit more rowdy
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11-21-2007, 02:56 AM	#12
lkn Lieutenant Colonel 23 Rep 1,549 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County iTrader: (4)	yes happened to me and there was a leak which was fixed at the dealership.
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11-23-2007, 05:17 PM	#16
greentea335i Lieutenant 27 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E92 335i w/ SSTT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	well its happening every morning.. (cold start) n it dissappear after the 1st start.. iduno if i shud schedule an appointment with my SA or just add cup of distilled water...
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11-23-2007, 05:28 PM	#17
drbimmer97 Prvt 1st Class 18 Rep 353 Posts Drives: 2012 528i xDrive M-sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00]	duh..... __________________ drbimmer97 2012 F10 sport package: gloss black vinyl roof wrap: black grills: black side markers: Stage 2 JB4: 19" CSL wheels: more mods to follow "LYF SUX - NLS U DRV A BMR"
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11-24-2007, 07:04 PM	#20
greentea335i Lieutenant 27 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E92 335i w/ SSTT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	i did read the manual.. thats why i bought the coolant right away from autozone i guess id just go BMW 2morrow and buy the BMW coolant. i just cant believe its a new car and the coolant is already low withing 9k
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11-24-2007, 10:34 PM	#22
greentea335i Lieutenant 27 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E92 335i w/ SSTT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	^^^ yeah thats weird.. im only at 9,300miles i see no sign of coolant leak.. guess i have to head over to my dealer tomorrow its been 3-4days and im still driving my car lol!!
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