Low coolant light

335tim · 10-12-2012, 09:40 AM

I had a warning light ping up for low coolant this morning. I read by a quick search that I need to mix coolant 50/50 with distilled water. is this true?

Also, do I need to use BMW coolant or can I use Halfords or similar?

doughboy · 10-12-2012, 01:24 PM

For a top up just use neat antifreeze.

As long as its reasonable quality stuff suitable for aluminium engines you'll be fine.

phil200tdi · 10-12-2012, 02:05 PM

Keep an eye on it!

This happened when my water pump went...

RichJ · 10-12-2012, 04:04 PM

Was it gradual or did it just pack up and dump all the coolant?

phil200tdi · 10-12-2012, 04:33 PM

Slow leak.

Got worse.

335tim · 10-15-2012, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

Keep an eye on it!

This happened when my water pump went...

Yeh, I read about that on searching. Not good!

Ill try the anti-freeze for now. So neat is ok? Any Halfords type brand?

doughboy · 10-15-2012, 05:27 AM

As long as its suitable for ally engine components, yes.

As with anything, avoid the 'happy shopper no frills' one though

335tim · 10-15-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

As long as its suitable for ally engine components, yes.

As with anything, avoid the 'happy shopper no frills' one though

Will Halfords do anything decent?

xenon · 10-15-2012, 07:06 AM

Anything from Halfords will be fine. I don't think the old stuff that corroded aluminium is even available to buy these days.

doughboy · 10-15-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335tim

Will Halfords do anything decent?

LOL, Halfords do plenty of decent stuff, just takes a while to find it.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Anything from Halfords will be fine. I don't think the old stuff that corroded aluminium is even available to buy these days.

Yeh, prob my age showing

Another 70's 'fix' - try putting an egg in the rad, that will seal any leaks

xenon · 10-15-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

Another 70's 'fix' - try putting an egg in the rad, that will seal any leaks

Porridge Oats if the hole was bigger, and sawdust in the gearbox of the A series to stifle the death whine of the layshaft bearing....

doughboy · 10-15-2012, 08:14 AM

Oh by 'eck, those were the days.

No laptops or CANbuses required, just a set of mole grips and a lump hammer would fix anything.

10-12-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
335tim Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 335i se montego blue Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: london iTrader: (0)	Low coolant light I had a warning light ping up for low coolant this morning. I read by a quick search that I need to mix coolant 50/50 with distilled water. is this true? Also, do I need to use BMW coolant or can I use Halfords or similar?
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10-12-2012, 01:24 PM	#2
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,972 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	For a top up just use neat antifreeze. As long as its reasonable quality stuff suitable for aluminium engines you'll be fine.
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10-12-2012, 02:05 PM	#3
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Keep an eye on it! This happened when my water pump went... __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
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10-12-2012, 04:04 PM	#4
RichJ First Lieutenant 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: E92 M-Sport 330i Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South iTrader: (0)	Was it gradual or did it just pack up and dump all the coolant?
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10-12-2012, 04:33 PM	#5
phil200tdi Colonel 112 Rep 2,621 Posts Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (1)	Slow leak. Got worse. __________________ Car: e91 330d with Viezu map Gone but not forgotten: 2010 Jaguar XFR (Cat-back exhaust, pulley, intake mods and map), Highly Modified E90 335i LCI M Sport Manual (circa 480BHP/500lb ft)
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10-15-2012, 05:27 AM	#7
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,972 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	As long as its suitable for ally engine components, yes. As with anything, avoid the 'happy shopper no frills' one though
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10-15-2012, 07:06 AM	#9
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Anything from Halfords will be fine. I don't think the old stuff that corroded aluminium is even available to buy these days. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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10-15-2012, 08:14 AM	#12
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,972 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Oh by 'eck, those were the days. No laptops or CANbuses required, just a set of mole grips and a lump hammer would fix anything.
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