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      08-15-2011, 09:35 AM   #1
BTTGMan
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Top off coolant? How often?

After a month of hot weather and long road trios I had to top off oil. Now I think I'm getting a coolant warning. Is it normal tp have to top off coolant?
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      08-15-2011, 09:44 AM   #2
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My SA told me it was normal after having the car in 4 times for the low coolant light. The did all manner of tests and said everything came back normal. My Indy shop fixed it the first time I took it to them, without me asking, by tightening the drain on the radiator. >.< That was in October or something and I haven't had to top it off since.
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      08-15-2011, 10:00 AM   #3
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49k miles later, never have to top of coolant once
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      08-15-2011, 10:19 AM   #4
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Somewhere your coolant is likely evaporating out. There is a weak point somewhere. If you cannot find it now, you will likely find it later as it worsens.
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      08-15-2011, 10:23 AM   #5
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I only had to add coolant once at that was at around 28k miles.

As far as oil. That stuff disapears in the heat. I would say 1 quart every 15k miles, if you had no oil changes in that time.
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      08-15-2011, 10:32 AM   #6
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adding some is normal for all cars now adays.
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      08-15-2011, 11:06 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BTTGMan View Post
After a month of hot weather and long road trios I had to top off oil. Now I think I'm getting a coolant warning. Is it normal tp have to top off coolant?
This thread should help you: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=572503

Top it off and keep an eye on it. If it starts needing coolant without hot weather/long trips, you've likely got a leak somewhere.
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      08-15-2011, 12:48 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BTTGMan View Post
After a month of hot weather and long road trios I had to top off oil. Now I think I'm getting a coolant warning. Is it normal tp have to top off coolant?
never had to do it.
oil is 1 quart per 6-7k miles
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      08-15-2011, 04:54 PM   #9
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In my 2011 335i I just had to refill it. It was below the minimum line, a message came up on the i-drive. I have 11k miles.
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      08-15-2011, 05:35 PM   #10
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Car almost 5 years old, never had to add it. How come people are saying it's normal? There was a time, maybe 5 years ago, when adding coolant meant there is a leak or a problem with the head gasket. Have times really changed that much?
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      08-15-2011, 07:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John 070 View Post
Car almost 5 years old, never had to add it. How come people are saying it's normal? There was a time, maybe 5 years ago, when adding coolant meant there is a leak or a problem with the head gasket. Have times really changed that much?
So I should schedule a service appointment?I'm on it.
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      08-15-2011, 07:57 PM   #12
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Although the cooling system is under pressure, which prevents the coolant from vaporizing, a little bit does. Over time the gas escapes the system; gas molecules are smaller than water molecules and leak out. A small amount of coolant loss is normal.
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      08-15-2011, 08:19 PM   #13
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Maybe in theory, but practically speaking, my Nissan has its coolant on the max line when cold. When hot it's above the line. I change it every 3-4 years, and it never changes. Neither does the BMW. So I suppose to each his own, but if I had to top off coolant, I'd feel that's a lot more serious than topping off oil. Though I never have to top off oil either on the BMW. Whoever said one quart every 700 miles, that's insane.
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      08-15-2011, 10:14 PM   #14
BTTGMan
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Do mods read before moving? This was really a question about whether or nit I had a problem - not some stupid debate about scheduled maintenance.
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      08-16-2011, 09:40 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickch View Post
49k miles later, never have to top of coolant once
AGREED..... im at 46k and not even once... i top it off or even light going off...

and no its not normal to top off the coolant...
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Last edited by Grail05; 08-16-2011 at 10:47 AM..
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      08-16-2011, 10:39 AM   #16
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Depends on the car and the system IMO. My STi had an overflow that wasn't perfectly sealed, so it could evaporate out through there and needed to be topped off occasionally.

M3 has not needed any coolant and I would not consider it normal based on having 30k+ miles without needing to top it off.
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      08-16-2011, 11:15 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BTTGMan View Post
Is it normal to have to top off coolant?
No, BUT I bet the great majority of cases of 'missing' coolant never bothered to top off the system when new. You ALWAYS have to top off coolant in new cars; some more than others. It takes several complete heat/cool cycles to purge air from the system. It's the same with oil, brake fluid, etc. You need to top them all off so you know if you have a consumption problem/leak or not.
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