GIantic010 11 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 I got home a short time ago, and after I turned the engine off, I was greeted by the "check coolant level" warning. Steam was coming out of the engine bay. When I popped the hood, this is what greeted me. I need the car tomorrow, so how bad is this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rubix 434 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 Looks like a possible split in your top radiator hose (based on that photo). You won't be driving it anywhere tomorrow unless fixed. Put some water in it, let it heat up and pressurise, see where coolant is pissing from. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 Dont drive it tomorrow until you know the fault. These engines don't like being overheated so don't risk it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3309 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 Green coolant too - not BMW coolant. it'll need some TLC - and as the others say, don't drive it. Get it repaired by a BMW independent or a dealer. You'll save money by renting a vehicle or taking an uber tomorrow, rather than driving this before its repaired. HTH Olaf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 Olaf - what is the difference between the bmw coolant and 'regular' coolant? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huff3r 347 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 1 hour ago, zero said: Olaf - what is the difference between the bmw coolant and 'regular' coolant? Something about specific lubricants for longevity of water pumps and anti-corrosives to stop sh*t corroding. Especially important in E39 upwards models, not really necessary in anything older AFAIK. Also very well priced from what I've heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 bmw coolant is blue! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GIantic010 11 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 Cheers all. Luckily I've got a company vehicle that will get me out of the proverbial. Eurorec is close to where I'm currently working, so I'll go talk to them tomorrow. Thank you for all your input Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 While your at it, dont skimp out on replacing all of the hoses and plastic bits. If the expansion tank plastic is going brown ... replace that too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3309 Report post Posted September 7, 2016 15 hours ago, zero said: Olaf - what is the difference between the bmw coolant and 'regular' coolant? 13 hours ago, huff3r said: Something about specific lubricants for longevity of water pumps and anti-corrosives to stop sh*t corroding. Especially important in E39 upwards models, not really necessary in anything older AFAIK. Also very well priced from what I've heard. 12 hours ago, qube said: bmw coolant is blue! yep, they beat me to it. Thanks Paul and Kyu. I'd be happy to be corrected; all the BMW specialists I've talked to previously have recommended the BMW coolant, as being superior to your standard red or green coolants for use in your common or garden BMW. There are some coolants around that meet BMW specs - such as one of those available from Penrite. Which happens to be green! BMW N 600 69.0 APPROVED is the spec you're looking for. Useful thread here and here (this one contains output from BMW TIS). as always, YMMV. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1071 Report post Posted September 8, 2016 The BMW Coolant is actually cheap - Retail on some decent stuff at Repco was about the same as I got the genuine stuff from Milland for. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
