Coolant change interval

[Powerhaus]

my friend's Mini's radiator was clogged and resulted in an overheated engine. i was surprised as the car is not that old and mileage is relatively low. Any idea what coolant you guys use and how often you change it (flush and clean the cooling system)?

 

[loafer]

I do it every service interval no questions asked. Have been using the BMW coolant so far, no complaints.

 

[Crymson]

I change every 6 months using BMW coolant.

 

[Powerhaus]

bro, thank you for the replies.

what is the service interval for the MINI?

bro loafer, you driving MINI or UDM?

 

[loafer]

UDM Driving a E36 328i.

Don't know about the service interval for MINI. Your friend you're enquiring for should know.

Personally my service regime is 8500kms or 3 months, whichever comes first. Using Petronas Syntium 5000.

 

[Jerman]

Coolant change every 12 months or 24,000km should be good!

 

[Powerhaus]

ok thanks.

I am overseas now actually.

still cant figure out why my friend's radiator can clog.

2 years plus, about 40K kms...

i dont know the full history and detailed maintainence that was performed though.

 

[anxious]

I think coolant change once a year should be fine but as it doesnt cost much I change it every 6 months when I change my oil. Me currently on Mobil 1 5w-50 from Carrefour.

I plan to change my oil every 6 months @ 8-10k km. So no harm changing the coolant at the same time.

I have decided to follow the following schedule for my E36:-

Oil Service @ 6 months @ 10000km
Change Synthetic Oil & Filter
Change Coolant

Inspection 1 @ 12 months @ 20000km
Change Synthetic Oil & Filter
Change Coolant
Change Air Filter
Change Spark Plugs

Oil Service @ 18 months @ 30000km
Change Synthetic Oil & Filter
Change Coolant

Inspection 2 @ 24 months @ 40000km
Change Synthetic Oil & Filter
Change Air Filter
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
Microfilter
Brake Fluid
Coolant
Steering Fluid
ATF & Filter
Diff Oil
(ie basically change all the oil/fluid)

 

[Powerhaus]

anxious, what does the factory BMWrecommend for your OCI?

 

[anxious]

anxious, what does the factory BMWrecommend for your OCI?

I am not too sure. I think E36 service is supposed to be based on the service lights. The 5 green lights last 15000km. So I think its supposed to be

Oil Change 15000km
Inspection 1 30000km
Oil Change 45000km
Inspection 2 60000km

I have just hit 8000km since my last oil change which was 6 months ago, just wondering whether I should change my Mobil 1 5W-50 now or wait until I hit 10000km which is anor 2 mths away?

 

[chookleng]

i changed it every 10km oil service and only used the "bmw original coolant". should cost at a price tag of RM50

 

[frogstonez]

Need help on this issue...have bought BMW coolant..but mechanic not recommend since the car already been 11 years old..he said just using water cause the coolant might make it faster to leak due to corrosion that already there in the first place..is it true?...or he just lazy to drain the coolant?...last owner using tap water je i think...kindly advise...pening..- E36 328i

 

[Herbert]

Need help on this issue...have bought BMW coolant..but mechanic not recommend since the car already been 11 years old..he said just using water cause the coolant might make it faster to leak due to corrosion that already there in the first place..is it true?...or he just lazy to drain the coolant?...last owner using tap water je i think...kindly advise...pening..- E36 328i

If my mechanic gave me this type of advice, I will replace him immediately and find another workshop. Do a flush of your radiator (to get rid of all the contaminations/dirt/rust) and when it is totally cleaned, pour in the BMW coolant and top up with water.

 

[frogstonez]

If my mechanic gave me this type of advice, I will replace him immediately and find another workshop. Do a flush of your radiator (to get rid of all the contaminations/dirt/rust) and when it is totally cleaned, pour in the BMW coolant and top up with water.

Noted...Thanks for the prompt reply Herbert..really appreciate it..that's wat i think....i think he just being lazy since there's lot of car in his workshop that day..don't wanna do job ayam2..wanna concentrade on Big shot nyer kerete instead of mine...dunno...takpe2...i pegi ketuk kepala dia jap lagi...stupid ass mechanic..

Any other opinion from other sifu?

 

[astroboy]

I remember reading somewhere that all coolant uses a dye (blue/red/green) for its color and the color will run to turn clear when it losses its properties. That itself is an indicator to replace it. Toyota first practice 40k coolant replacement interval, now I heard they have extended it to 80k km. I also heard they have one type that can last 160k km..

Too bad our reservoir is not translucent, so we can't see its color nor rust sediments.

Coolant is very harmful to environment. So I rather run extended period as long as my temperature stays low and no sign of rust sediment... which both also visually not possible in my car.. :stupid:

 

[zeedo]

I also waited until the coolant losses its color before, only to find out the bottom channel clogged with the residue from the coolant and restict the flow resulting my car having high temp whenever I go uphill (like Genting Sempah). Now I stick to annual flushing using BMW coolant (RM35/btl frm Bavarian Auto)