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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Topping off coolant

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      11-13-2018, 06:57 AM   #1
Blue2
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Topping off coolant

Just had a warning light come on asking me to top off coolant. If it's low, which coolant should I add? I know you can't mix different types.
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      11-13-2018, 01:14 PM   #2
Blue2
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Quick update/question: why do we have two reservoirs and what is the purpose? I checked both reservoirs, and the "big" reservoir is low (below the minimum floater) and the "small" reservoir is right at the max floater. What's the deal?
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      11-13-2018, 01:19 PM   #3
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https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1255258
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      11-19-2018, 10:22 PM   #4
john16443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue2 View Post
Just had a warning light come on asking me to top off coolant. If it's low, which coolant should I add? I know you can't mix different types.
As for coolant type, you can always use the BMW/Mini coolant, or go to your local parts store and get a gallon of G48 type coolant. I've got a gallon of Zerex premixed.
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      11-22-2018, 11:39 AM   #5
SteveInfante
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I got the BMW coolant and mixed it according to spec.
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      11-23-2018, 02:12 PM   #6
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Always use a 50/50 mix of BMW coolant and distilled water. Why? Chemicals in tap water will leech out of the coolant mix and deposit themselves inside the engine.
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      12-14-2020, 12:28 PM   #7
overcoil
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so my accessory coolant hose broke yesterday (part # 17 12 8 570 061 ). and to get the car back to a safe place I need to continually top off the coolant tank going through about 4 gallons of distilled water.

I heard what I believe is my heater core area flapping is I'm guessing I really siphoned out all the coolant in that area.

If I used the procedure for purging air by having the ignition in ACCESSORY mode and for 10 or 12 minutes only using the car battery to run the electric water pump and HVAC fan, do you think I'll kill my car battery ?
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      12-15-2020, 02:03 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottSinger View Post
If I used the procedure for purging air by having the ignition in ACCESSORY mode and for 10 or 12 minutes only using the car battery to run the electric water pump and HVAC fan, do you think I'll kill my car battery ?
Probably depends on how old your battery is, but I've ran the bleed procedure two times in a row when topping off coolant and it started up without an issue.

Also heard people recommend turning off hi/low beams and other accessories.
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      12-15-2020, 01:07 PM   #9
overcoil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motorink View Post
Probably depends on how old your battery is, but I've ran the bleed procedure two times in a row when topping off coolant and it started up without an issue.

Also heard people recommend turning off hi/low beams and other accessories.
Thanks for the reply, good info.

I replaced the busted hose and filled the coolant tank to the seam (never did the bleed procedure) and my car seems to be running fine.
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      03-31-2021, 06:14 PM   #10
andrewk24
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I replaced the busted hose today and have two questions:
1. How do you do the bleeding process? I tried holding the gas pedal for 10 seconds, but that did not work
2. I got the check engine light!!!! Is this related to the hose busting??

My car is a 2016 M235i. Thanks
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