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      07-10-2012, 01:22 PM   #1
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does this look like my coolant is low or empty?

I tried to look up on youtube and manuals if my coolant looks low, but the diagrams have changed for my e92 n55 LCI....
So, can you tell me if this is empty? I looked in there and it looks drained......... from what I saw (e46 and such) there should be something coming OUT of this? Mine is at the bottom.. I TO NEED: ADD MY COOLANT HAS BEEN TOPPED OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP 10 DAYS AGO!

EDIT: Called my dealership, There shouldn't be a floater or anything like a bobber for my car, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if this looks low.



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Last edited by mashimarho; 07-10-2012 at 01:32 PM..
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      07-10-2012, 01:25 PM   #2
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Where's the level stick? Must be low if that isn't showing.
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      07-10-2012, 01:28 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bamaben View Post
Where's the level stick? Must be low if that isn't showing.
That's exactly what I was looking for.... I don't even see it in there....
It's only been 10 days. I think I have a leak....
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      07-10-2012, 01:34 PM   #4
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For some reason I've noticed a few friends with n55's that tend to have coolant problems, I would get it checked out by the dealer asap if you have been adding coolant. These leaks tend to cause even more problems if not taken care of quickly..
fiy: n54 65k miles, never had to top off coolant. Oil is another story.. : /
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      07-10-2012, 01:36 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by e90328i View Post
For some reason I've noticed a few friends with n55's that tend to have coolant problems, I would get it checked out by the dealer asap if you have been adding coolant. These leaks tend to cause even more problems if not taken care of quickly..
fiy: n54 65k miles, never had to top off coolant
How often is coolant usually added- on average.. I had my coolant fine until a month ago, then topped it off from the dealership, then 2 days later it came up again...? I don't think it could leak that fast? Plus i didn't see a pool... I only have 13k miles. I don't think it could be water pump failure?
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      07-10-2012, 01:42 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
How often is coolant usually added- on average.. I had my coolant fine until a month ago, then topped it off from the dealership, then 2 days later it came up again...? I don't think it could leak that fast? Plus i didn't see a pool... I only have 13k miles. I don't think it could be water pump failure?
Coolant is something you shouldn't have to top off to my knowledge unless there is a leak or a bad gasket and both of those are pretty worry-some. Whats weird is my friend with fbo n55 had same coolant issues and led to his vanos being destroyed along with a few other things??? Would remove tune and take it in to be checked for leaks...
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      07-10-2012, 01:49 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90328i View Post
Coolant is something you shouldn't have to top off to my knowledge unless there is a leak or a bad gasket and both of those are pretty worry-some. Whats weird is my friend with fbo n55 had same coolant issues and led to his vanos being destroyed along with a few other things??? Would remove tune and take it in to be checked for leaks...
That's the thing I don't want to do......... I don't want to take out my tune. I would have the error because of my downpipes.... I don't have OEM downpipes anymore.... And, I don't have a CAN-tool....

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      07-10-2012, 01:55 PM   #8
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Look for a service adviser or tech who won't flag your car for mods. If it's a major issue it might be worth it to pay for the removal and re-installation of the DP's vs fixing the issue out of pocket w/o warranty.
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      07-10-2012, 01:56 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by BlackBB6 View Post
Look for a service adviser or tech who won't flag your car for mods. If it's a major issue it might be worth it to pay for the removal and re-installation of the DP's vs fixing the issue out of pocket w/o warranty.
I don't have stock DP though...
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      07-10-2012, 02:42 PM   #10
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Just take distilled water when the engine is bone cold and fill it to the top of the max level. Check it after a few days, if it's empty again, then there is a problem.
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      07-10-2012, 03:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
That's the thing I don't want to do......... I don't want to take out my tune. I would have the error because of my downpipes.... I don't have OEM downpipes anymore.... And, I don't have a CAN-tool....

I would get that stock dp asap its really not worth it being flagged at the dealer and even if your tech is cool he'll give you shit about the dp. This is the only reason why I have not gone fully-catless yet my tech does not care about tune but tells me if im catless no warranty work will be excepted...

Return your car to stock and go from there.. try to find a cool service tech that will be ok with mods.
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      07-10-2012, 03:23 PM   #12
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If you are loosing coolant even though you have low miles on your car it could be the water pump going out already. I feel your pain about not being stock and not having the parts to make it stock again. I think you should be able to do a pressure test on your cooling system and if it is loosing pressure you have a leak. You should be able to do it with a kit from your local auto parts store. It would be a lot easier then getting back to stock and taking it to the dealer.

If you find a problem then you will have to figure out a way to get it to the dealer. The last thing you want is your car go into limp mode and have to have it towed.
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      07-10-2012, 05:20 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gatoman39 View Post
Just take distilled water when the engine is bone cold and fill it to the top of the max level. Check it after a few days, if it's empty again, then there is a problem.
Would distilled water be safe without 50/50 mix or anything?
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      07-10-2012, 05:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
I don't have stock DP though...
I have FBO and they don't tell me crap! LOL Their only surprised by me coming in every other week or month with a new exhaust and diffuzor naoooooooooooooooooooooooo! GL tho.
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      07-10-2012, 06:05 PM   #15
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Yes it's low. Look at the yellow marker in brighter light. There is a min and max level. max being the highest yellow tab that you see. Open the coolant reservoir when the car is cold and fill it up, but do not exceed that line.

If it gets low in the next few days take it to the dealer asap, it's very important to keep your coolant on level.
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      07-10-2012, 06:14 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by eamon View Post
Yes it's low. Look at the yellow marker in brighter light. There is a min and max level. max being the highest yellow tab that you see. Open the coolant reservoir when the car is cold and fill it up, but do not exceed that line.

If it gets low in the next few days take it to the dealer asap, it's very important to keep your coolant on level.
What is.... "level?" I can see the min and there is almost no liquid even under the min. How do I read this thing... I'm used to the floater LOL
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      07-10-2012, 06:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
How often is coolant usually added- on average.. I had my coolant fine until a month ago, then topped it off from the dealership, then 2 days later it came up again...? I don't think it could leak that fast? Plus i didn't see a pool... I only have 13k miles. I don't think it could be water pump failure?
Coolant is not something that should ever be added. People may flush and refill, but no amount of coolant loss is normal. Since you're under warranty just bring it in....g/l.
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      07-10-2012, 06:22 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by John 070 View Post
Coolant is not something that should ever be added. People may flush and refill, but no amount of coolant loss is normal. Since you're under warranty just bring it in....g/l.
Thank you. I'll have to do something with my tune, maybe yank it out with downpipes and then bring it in.
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      07-10-2012, 07:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
Would distilled water be safe without 50/50 mix or anything?
yes. The expansion tank your adding to holds a small amount of coolant relative to the total amount in the system. What you're trying to do is top it off when it's totally cold to the max fill line, then monitor it. If you keep losing coolant there is either a leak or a head gasket situation. Then you can figure out if you need to take it in. in which case you will have to address the tune.
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      07-10-2012, 08:28 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
What is.... "level?" I can see the min and there is almost no liquid even under the min. How do I read this thing... I'm used to the floater LOL
In between min and max. The yellow piece will not float up or move in any which way.
Do not drive the car if it is below minimum, just fill it up until the coolant is above minimum.

And +1 to John 070
A few ounces of loss a year is understandable. But if your car is so new, get it checked out because this is not normal.
But unless if you plan on flatbedding to the dealer, top it off.
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      07-10-2012, 09:36 PM   #21
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Now, a lot of people say distilled water... I don't have any on me unless I head to the store.. Would a new bottled Aquafina water be okay just enough for a few days?
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      07-10-2012, 10:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
Now, a lot of people say distilled water... I don't have any on me unless I head to the store.. Would a new bottled Aquafina water be okay just enough for a few days?
No, don't introduce minerals into your cooling system. Distilled water is free of dissolved solids.
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