[SOLEX18]

Hi guys

I was driving my new to me 335i (n55) when I got the low coolant light on my way home from work.

I opened the tank and saw green coolant (I know that shouldn’t be right!)

However I drove a few miles to the only store near me autozone.

They have peak blue coolant (says works with Bmw)

Or the other choice is universal green coolant.

I do not want to drive further with low coolant, so would I be able to mix blue and green? Or should I just top off with green then flush it all out and put genuine Bmw coolant at my earliest convenience

Thank you so much on this urgent matter

[Vivek.]

Top off with distilled water, drain and refill with Genuine BMW at your earliest convenience. Not sure the current temperature in NJ but you really don't need to have that much coolant in your car (as long as the level is correct, it can be well over 50% distilled water depending on ambient temp)

[BSM n54iS]

^

[SOLEX18]

Thanks. I’m at the store now and can just top off with 50/50 autozone brand coolant. Would that be advised just until I get the good blue stuff ( next week)

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by SOLEX18

Thanks. I’m at the store now and can just top off with 50/50 autozone brand coolant. Would that be advised just until I get the good blue stuff ( next week)

I wouldn't bother. I'd just do distilled water if it's not close to freezing there yet, then 50/50 with BMW

[SOLEX18]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

I wouldn't bother. I'd just do distilled water if it's not close to freezing there yet, then 50/50 with BMW

What about overheating? I know I’m a little TOO worried about it but I just don’t want to damage anything

Temp in NJ is in the 60s

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by SOLEX18

What about overheating? I know I’m a little TOO worried about it but I just don’t want to damage anything

Temp in NJ is in the 60s

It's a low liquid level warning, not an overheating warning. Distilled water is better at thermal convection than coolant also. It's more to keep the water from freezing in the lines in cold temps.

[SOLEX18]

Thank you! Will put distilled water and order the GOOD stuff!

[nsjames]

there are now BMW approved green coolants that the dealers are using.

has it been serviced lately somewhere?

[Smgs1992]

Use distilled water and order bmw coolant. I’d recommend getting the real stuff from fcpeuro as they were cheaper than non bmw brand off amazon

[Glene]

Originally Posted by SOLEX18

Thank you! Will put distilled water and order the GOOD stuff!

I used Preston coolant in all my cars including Lexus and BMW vehicles. Never has any issue. You can spend more money buying BMW coolant, but I don't think it performs any better. Preston is being used in million and million vehicles over these years and it's proven...

[FD7683]

I've heard green coolant is bad for the water pump in the long run.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

I'd have just picked up the blue Peak 50/50. It's just a top off, not a full coolant refill. No need to over-think it.

[bmwbob89]

I've worked at BMW dealers from the 70's until 2007. I found some old BMW antifreeze in the garage in still sealed bottles. Probably from the 90's. It's green and the ingredients are exactly the same as the blue stuff. The only difference is the blue has bitters added. I assume to keep animals from drinking it. I put it in my E90 this year when replacing the water pump and tstat. We'll see how that goes. Couldn't make myself throw it out.

[mweisdorfer]

I use Amsoil coolant with a coolant booster. Zero issues

[Smgs1992]

I’ve been told mixing them can cause it to crystalize inside your cooling system and eventually cause failure and requirw replacement of everything. No personal experience but for $20 i’ll just buy bmw coolant and have the peace of mind

[Glene]

Originally Posted by FD7683

I've heard green coolant is bad for the water pump in the long run.

BMW water pump goes bad around 60K with BMW coolant anyway. So it's not the coolant, it is the water pump. My 1997 Camry with 300K miles still has the original water pump and I started using Preston since 45K miles.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Glene

BMW water pump goes bad around 60K with BMW coolant anyway. So it's not the coolant, it is the water pump. My 1997 Camry with 300K miles still has the original water pump and I started using Preston since 45K miles.

BMW pumps can last a lot longer than 60K and it has nothing to do with the type of coolant used. Your Camry has a mechanical pump (not electric) which is very different.

Also, the BMW branded coolant isn't very expensive. In fact it's the cheapest coolant available around me without having to wait for shipping. $18 for concentrate which makes two gallons of 50/50 mixed coolant is cheap. I'm sure there are lots of suitable alternatives but when I can get the BMW branded stuff cheaper that's what I'm going to stick with.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by Glene

I used Preston coolant in all my cars including Lexus and BMW vehicles. Never has any issue. You can spend more money buying BMW coolant, but I don't think it performs any better. Preston is being used in million and million vehicles over these years and it's proven...

good luck

Originally Posted by FD7683

I've heard green coolant is bad for the water pump in the long run.

I'll say it again.
new BMW coolant is now green.
The color doesn't mean anything

The type and chemistry does. You can't go mixing things willy nilly.
The original fill was a phosphate free HOAT coolant.

Originally Posted by Glene

BMW water pump goes bad around 60K with BMW coolant anyway. So it's not the coolant, it is the water pump. My 1997 Camry with 300K miles still has the original water pump and I started using Preston since 45K miles.

My factory 08 water pump lasted 11 years and 148K miles

My wife's volvo needs a new mechanical pump at 120K because it's weeping.
We owned a from new 1998 camry that needed one at 88K miles.
I've done multiple Jeep 4.0 pumps in less mileage.
I've done Jeep WJ v8 pumps at less mileage.
I've done a chevy malibu pump at less mileage.
I've done chrysler v6 minivan pumps at less mileage.

care to try again?

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by nsjames

good luck



I'll say it again.
new BMW coolant is now green.
The color doesn't mean anything

The type and chemistry does. You can't go mixing things willy nilly.
The original fill was a phosphate free HOAT coolant.




My factory 08 water pump lasted 11 years and 148K miles

My wife's volvo needs a new mechanical pump at 120K because it's weeping.
We owned a from new 1998 camry that needed one at 88K miles.
I've done multiple Jeep 4.0 pumps in less mileage.
I've done Jeep WJ v8 pumps at less mileage.
I've done a chevy malibu pump at less mileage.
I've done chrysler v6 minivan pumps at less mileage.

care to try again?

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by Glene

BMW water pump goes bad around 60K with BMW coolant anyway. So it's not the coolant, it is the water pump. My 1997 Camry with 300K miles still has the original water pump and I started using Preston since 45K miles.

Mine lasted 90k but i wasnt referring to the waterpump specifically. When i said everything needs replaced i was told that means everything. Expansion tank, hoses, radiator, waterpump ect... a 97 camry is like comparing a basketball to an orange. Theyre both round and thats about where the similarities end

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

... a 97 camry is like comparing a basketball to an orange. Theyre both round and thats about where the similarities end

Camborghini