[simpleM3]

I just got the low coolant indicator on my car. Can I just add coolant to it and be done or are there any others checks or requirements I need to follow? Also, if I all I need to do is add coolant, what do i need to get? Thanks

[1N54E92]

I would just add some but look for any leaks. Make sure you add the phosphate free coolant.

[simpleM3]

Thanks! Any particular brand recommended for the N54s?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by simple335i

Thanks! Any particular brand recommended for the N54s?

Use OEM BMW coolant and nothing else. Quart at the dealership is about 8 bucks...

[simpleM3]

I was thinking that to play it safe.

Thanks

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Use OEM BMW coolant and nothing else. Quart at the dealership is about 8 bucks...

[i M HOONIGAN]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Use OEM BMW coolant and nothing else. Quart at the dealership is about 8 bucks...

Any particular reasoning behind this? Not trying to refute... and i know going the BMW-route is the safe bet.

Reason why i ask is, i had a small leak by the coolant temp sensor for a few months. When i was first leaking, I had to refill and wasn't by a BMW dealership. So, I went with the DEXCOOL (which everyone hates and warns against) pre-diluted coolant at Walmart... I was okay with it - since this was an emergency situation and I had to top off to get home. I work very close to my house (about 10-15miles), so I just kept topping off with that DEXCOOL (orange) crap for about 3 months. Probably went through 2 bottles...

Finally, i got around to changing the main hose and temp sensor myself - and drained/re-filled my coolant with the BMW (blue) coolant.

About 3-4 months later, daily driving, a few hundred miles -- no issues. Car is running as strong as it did years ago, and not noticing any issues.

That's not to say that I'll flush and refill my coolant with that dexcool stuff. However, I'd like to know why it's so bad for our cars to go outside of BMW coolant.

[Pat@sonictuning]

Running any coolant should be fine. However, I know bmw recommends running their own. And when filling it make sure to watch the youtube video on how to bleed the coolant since your pump is electric:

[i M HOONIGAN]

^ good advice right there... Yep, blasted the heat to max to engage the t-stat, and bled for about 10 minutes until the stream was consistent and without bubbles.

the t-stat sensor, and hose replacements were actually pretty simple to do.

If you're only adding a small amount, just put distilled water in there.

[tigermack]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

If you're only adding a small amount, just put distilled water in there.

+1.

[bimmernupe]

If the warning does not go away, it could be the first sign that your water pump is about to go south.
Ask me how I know.

[mospeed335i]

Add coolant and see if it comes back..... If it does. Check for leaks. Let's not scare ppl with water pumps

[bimmernupe]

Not trying to scare just stating what I just went through. I actually made it to 110K on the original.
I got the Low Coolant warning. I added more coolant which was all of a few ounces. The coolant light never went out. I figured it was the coolant sensor, as my oil sensor went some time ago, but the oil level was fine.
A couple months later on my way to a meeting with my Managing Director in Hagerstown and poof. I get the engine overheating warning and I am stuck on the side of 270 at the scenic overlook.

Our water pumps are chit. No surprise there. Replace early/replace often.

[simpleM3]

I added BMW coolant and its been fine since. Almost a month and no issues...at least not in that dept.

[shadow191]

It could be the cap, I was getting the low coolant warning every couple of months (I don't drive the car much) so this was maybe every 1000 miles or so. I finally noticed some residue on the tank. So new cap installed and so far, no more low coolant issues. I read some other threads here pointing to the cap as well if the light keeps coming back. It's either that or a leak. Bad water pump shouldn't cause low coolant unless it's leaking there.

FWIW, last year I pulled the radiator when working on the AC condenser and refilled w/ regular phosphate free coolant (it's green). I was doing something to my Infiniti at the same time so I bought the same coolant for both; BMW hasn't died yet. Both cars use aluminum blocks, radiators, etc. So I figured Japanese aluminum can't be that different from German. I've since bought a gallon of BMW coolant so in the future I'll use that if I have to replace the WP.

But I'm also using Mobil1 and the cap clearly says Castrol only so it's only a matter of time. I also ignored the owners manual to my Infiniti and am using non Nissan ATF (meets the exact spec, but half the price of the rebranded Castrol).

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by bimmernupe

If the warning does not go away, it could be the first sign that your water pump is about to go south.
Ask me how I know.

was going to post this ^

[tigermack]

My coolant ran low, filled some distilled water and warning indicator is gone.