Coolant Level-Cold Engine

Kimbo80 · #1 11-15-2009, 02:52 PM

I just went and checked the coolant level on my Clubman. The car has been sitting for 4 hours, and the reading is about a 1/2 inch below the minimum level. There are no leaks under the car or in the engine bay noticeable to the naked eye. Is this something I should be worried about?

Update: I ordered a gallon of BMW antifreeze from Bavarian Motorsport and will do a 50/50 mix with distilled water. I did a search and this there are some owners that have noticed the levels go down due to evaporation, but I'm surprised the dealer did not top it off the last time I visited them, when I had some warranty work done last month.

b13mini · #2 11-16-2009, 08:53 PM

See if this post helps...

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...rent-leak.html

Kimbo80 · #3 11-17-2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the link. My coolant level is no where close to emply like the poster's in the link you provided, but I will definitely keep an eye on it.

Kimbo80 · #4 02-20-2010, 09:09 AM

I have a slow leaking thermostat. They are fixing it right now.

Update: The dealer did a compression test and found out the thermostat was leaking. They replaced the thermostat and bled the cooling system.

Kimbo80 · #5 02-25-2010, 06:51 PM

Ugh......... I am going back to the dealer tomorrow. I checked the coolant, and the level has dipped about 1 cm below the minimum line after sitting overnight. I even placed a poster board underneath the engine bay, and there wasn't a single drop on it. I am wondering if it's the thermostat housing, which the 1st gen's are notorious for leaking or even worse the water pump or head gasket. I will keep everyone updated.

'09 Clubman, 4100 miles

911Fan · #6 02-25-2010, 07:03 PM

If you're only replenishing a 1/2 inch loss, you can simply add distilled water without having to worry about mixing it with antifreeze.

BTW, it's a sealed system so coolant doesn't "evaporate". Assuming it was full to start with, there's a leak somewhere...

Kimbo80 · #7 02-25-2010, 07:11 PM

I have been topping it off with a 50/50 mixture of BMW OEM coolant and distilled water using a plastic jug w/ side markings. I have topped it off about 4 times since September between max and min. levels, and since they replaced the thermostat last Saturday, the level has actually been decreasing at a faster pace. I will keep everyone posted, once I return tomorrow.

Kimbo80 · #8 02-26-2010, 01:26 PM

I went to the dealer this morning, and they did a pressure test. The end result: no leaking according to the pressure test and visual inspection. The SA said the drop I am seeing (1 cm on the plastic tank) is do to being sucked backed into the radiator, when the coolant is cooling down.

Ugh......I will just have to keep an eye on the level and see if it drastically goes lower, then I will try a different dealer.