How Often are you topping up water/coolant?

[msian]

Hi guys, how often do you top up water? I noticed I am topping up 500ml every 3-4 weeks. Sounds like something is wrong to me.. Is this normal

 

[rizaljai]

Hi,

There must be leak some where. Need to check. For my case, no topping up of water for months. Best is to do pressure test at your regular workshop

 

[JFT63]

Hi, i hardly top up my coolant since May trengganu drive..did u notice any sign of leak anywhere? The best is to do a pressure test..u can easily spot the leak.

 

[mick123]

i have 2 mechs from 2 different workshops telling me that's normal for this car as it runs at a higher temperature. i'm always skeptical as my previous jap and korean cars water level maintained for years. anyway, did pressure test before and no leaks were found. i always check the water level every 2 weeks and have to top up about 100-200ml every 2 weeks.

 

[jarance]

It is not normal to top up every two weeks or so. Pressure test also may not find the leak.
This is because the leak usually occur when the engine is hot.

 

[jsng]

Yeap ...
I experience that too .. gone through pressure test few weeks back and cant find the leak at all (high pressure .. close to 2 bar, the max that they can do).
End up the mech suspect that it could be the o ring issue (near the coolant temperature sensor), and since its not in perfect shape anymore, just change it. Worried that this could be the one who cause the problem especially when it starting to cool down.

After close to 2 weeks, the coolant level remain unchanged .. gotto monitor it for another week to confirm.

It is not normal to top up every two weeks or so. Pressure test also may not find the leak.
This is because the leak usually occur when the engine is hot.

 

[rizaljai]

Sometimes the radiator cap or bleeder cap is the culprit.

 

[bmw7833]

Sometimes the radiator cap or bleeder cap is the culprit.

U are right. I found out my radiator cap is not in good condition already when i do my regular service recently. The inner wall already crack.

 

[GMENG]

Bros, on the same topic. My E60 had a radiator coolant level issue recently. I topped up and was asked to check regularly in the morning before starting the car. 2 weeks ago I checked the float stick and it was alright. I pushed a little the float stick down, it went down but it didn't float up again. I couldn't find it. Except to see the white float inside the radiator. Went to the workshop to check. As usual they said it went inside. I couldn't figure out how it could go beyond that white float. And as usual they were recommending me changing this and that. I don't quite trust them.

Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[jarance]

GMeng. try filling the radiator with some water. The float should come back up once the water level is enough.

it is impossible for float to go beyond the stopper at the end of the float stick have a ball.

 

[Bukit Mertajam]

Need advice and help.
I have changed the radiator cap, bleeder cap, even the radiators. Done test pressure and found no leakage but I need to top up 1.5 liter every week.
Today I had to stop my car because the temperature went to the red zone.
Lost of ideas what to do now....

Can anyone help?

Thanks

 

[GMENG]

GMeng. try filling the radiator with some water. The float should come back up once the water level is enough.

it is impossible for float to go beyond the stopper at the end of the float stick have a ball.

Jarance, the workshop already filled the radiator with water and still the stick did not float up. I cud see the white plastic still floating but I couldn't be sure whether the coolant was enough or not.
View attachment 25618View attachment 25619
Jarance, you can see the right picture where the white float was. In the centre of the white float I suspect that was the stick that "went" in when I pushed (gently actually) down with my finger.

 

[jarance]

it look like it a common problem with E60 float going to lala land.

Check out this thread of other people similar problem.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=463941

 

[jarance]

but unfortunately, there is no way to repair the float other than replacing the whole expansion tank where the float is sitting inside the tank.

 

[GMENG]

looks like the stick went rottten! Quite confusing la.. my no DIY person..

Thanks anyway Jarance for the Bimmerfest forum link..

I probably have to wait for the whole cooling system to fail to change everything. For the time being, got to check the coolant level every week to make sure got the coolant at reasonably level..

 

[jarance]

looks like the stick went rottten! Quite confusing la.. my no DIY person..

Thanks anyway Jarance for the Bimmerfest forum link..

I probably have to wait for the whole cooling system to fail to change everything. For the time being, got to check the coolant level every week to make sure got the coolant at reasonably level..

based on my experience with the 3 series, when one thing started to go, it is a matter of time the others related parts start to fail within a span of a few moths. So better to change expansion tank, all the rubber hoses etc etc etc of the cooling system to avoid coolant rapid loss.

No to worry about the mechanical float. there is still another float sensor that tell you when your coolant level is low.

 

[GMENG]

Jarance, will the idrive warn me on this matter? Earlier I had a very low level coolant warning, that's when i realised I have to check. So far for almost 6.5 years I haven't checked!

There was a problem earlier with the pump (warning came out) but apparently AB fixed that when I sent in for repair last year.

You mean, I have to change the whole cooling system and the rubber hoses? It may cause me few thousand RM wor..

 

[jarance]

Jarance, will the idrive warn me on this matter? Earlier I had a very low level coolant warning, that's when i realised I have to check. So far for almost 6.5 years I haven't checked!

There was a problem earlier with the pump (warning came out) but apparently AB fixed that when I sent in for repair last year.

You mean, I have to change the whole cooling system and the rubber hoses? It may cause me few thousand RM wor..

I think it better to spend a thousand plus than to spend a lot more when the engine overheat.

 

[jsng]

But if the culprit is the expansion tank, why not just change the expansion tank alone?
I dun think that will cost thousands, isn't it?

Off course during the expansion tank replacement, the mech should be able to advise on the condition of the hose and you can always make your decision after the inspection.

I think it better to spend a thousand plus than to spend a lot more when the engine overheat.

 

[rizaljai]

I think what Jarance said is if you changed exp. tank, radiator, hoses, etc related to cooling system. It will cost you thousands.