Hi guys.

As I think I have mentioned before I am not an engineer but I like to try to save money on labor wher I can so I try to do things myself, bear with me here. Today I decided to swap out my thermosat housing and thermostat, and like an idiot I was "surprised" when coolant went EVERYWHERE, probably lost a gallon or so when it was all said and done. I hooked everything back up, opened up the cap and turned her over...we're good...for now.

So here is the question, what type of coolant should I be running, and I am assuming I can just pour it in while the car is on, is that correct?

I am learning here so I appreciate any and all feedback, even Aggie jokes.

Wait till I tear into my valve cover gaskets this weekend...how many of you check this board on Saturdays and Sundays? :D

I don't own a bmw yet, but I believe you specifically need to run Bmw coolant in it. Wait for someone to verify this but I believe im right.

go to saab and buy the early style coolant. its like 15 bucks a gallon. i also believe you can use vw/audi but thats more expensive than BMW in my case. BMW was i believe 20. and vw was 25.

go to saab and buy the early style coolant. its like 15 bucks a gallon. i also believe you can use vw/audi but thats more expensive than BMW in my case. BMW was i believe 20. and vw was 25.


They wouldn't happen to sell that at a GM house would they?

No Saab dealer local.:(

Best not to open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. It is pressurized. Let it cool down, ideally overnight. You can add it while running, or while off.

Zerex G-05 is a less expensive substitute for the BMW coolant. It isn't Bavarian blue, however, more like piss yellow. I found it for $14.99 at Kragen.

Best not to open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. It is pressurized. Let it cool down, ideally overnight. You can add it while running, or while off.

Zerex G-05 is a less expensive substitute for the BMW coolant. It isn't Bavarian blue, however, more like piss yellow. I found it for $14.99 at Kragen.

Thanks man, I'll hit up the local spots to see if I can find that. :redspot

Does it really matter??I put regular auto part store coolant in mine and it stays right below half all day long. Is my engine going to suddenly blow up in a giant ball of fire soon:eyecrazy

i check every Saturday and Sunday and i just did my valve covers email me if u need a write up

i have one for the m62 very similar engines

Does it really matter??I put regular auto part store coolant in mine and it stays right below half all day long. Is my engine going to suddenly blow up in a giant ball of fire soon:eyecrazy

i hear its suppose to be more prone to rust.

i hear its suppose to be more prone to rust.
The engine block is going to be more prone to rust? Whats special about BmW engine blocks compared to other cars?

i check every Saturday and Sunday and i just did my valve covers email me if u need a write up

i have one for the m62 very similar engines

You're the one that sent me my instructions homey.:buttrock

Glad you'll be around this weekend too. :D

You're the one that sent me my instructions homey.:buttrock

Glad you'll be around this weekend too. :D


any time :redspot

The engine block is going to be more prone to rust? Whats special about BmW engine blocks compared to other cars?
it was made in germany. Seriously. If you dont use comparable coolant, then your gaskets will go bad too, and it eats away at the seals, and your radiator will have holes, and you'll overheat, and you will spend 1000's of dallars and you'll go bankrupt, sell your house, and everything you own, and have to live in your non-running bmw because you wanted to save a few dallars on coolant. Idk if any of that would happen, but there is a reason BMW's coolant is recomended, and im sure they thought of this when they wrote it down:D

It's not about rust, it's about aluminum corrosion. With time and small currents of electricity, your coolant slowly starts to break down into all sorts of good stuff which is prone to corrode your aluminum head both chemically and through electrolysis. BMW, Saab, etc. coolant is specifically designed to be used in an aluminum engine, and contains corrosion inhibitors.

All automotive fluids are not created equal. You're not putting $1.99 a quart Walmart special oil in your engine, why skimp on the coolant? If your coolant system isn't leaking you'll be replacing it every two years, so BMW blue ends up being around $20-$25 a year.

It's not about rust, it's about aluminum corrosion. With time and small currents of electricity, your coolant slowly starts to break down into all sorts of good stuff which is prone to corrode your aluminum head both chemically and through electrolysis. BMW, Saab, etc. coolant is specifically designed to be used in an aluminum engine, and contains corrosion inhibitors.

All automotive fluids are not created equal. You're not putting $1.99 a quart Walmart special oil in your engine, why skimp on the coolant? If your coolant system isn't leaking you'll be replacing it every two years, so BMW blue ends up being around $20-$25 a year.
How much is it at the dealer?

Is everyone cool with Zerex G-05? I can probably find that local.

bmw coolants contain zero phosphates and something else.

just it builds up silicate material in your engine and clogs stuff. i think it clogs mainly the radiator.

I'm not 100% sure about the electrolysis. but as coolant gets old, it becomes "Impure" that is why we should change our coolant every couple years. it is not a life time fluid.

I'm not 100% on the 535i as the engine is of ancient design. so i dunno if its a must to use BMW coolant.

but for my 97 328is. BMW coolant is a must.

I went with Zerex G05 after lots and lots of online research. Seems most people agree it is an alternative to BMW brand.

If all that is special is the zero phosphate thing, couldn't we just run the aluminum rated Prestone stuff?

I went with Zerex G05 after lots and lots of online research. Seems most people agree it is an alternative to BMW brand.

Is it G05 or G48?

BMW coolant if you want to spend the money, otherwise:
---------------------------
(by Jim Conforti: jec@us.dynix.com)

Zerex 0.1 mg/cm^2/wk corrosion
Award 0.2
Pronto 0.2
Trust 0.3
Pah-Nol 0.4
Texaco 0.4
Recycled 0.6
Prestone 0.7

FAIL:

Crown 8.4
Shellzone 10.2
Peak 11.9 <- this one's sold everywhere...
Fleetline 12.6
UniGard 12.8
Beaver 13.5
MacGuard 15.0
Sure 19.7
500XL 20.0


Attached is a good article on this subject.

All automotive fluids are not created equal. You're not putting $1.99 a quart Walmart special oil in your engine,


Uh Oh, now you tell me.

Uh Oh, now you tell me.

:rofl2

Picked up some G05 today from Autozone...she swallowed up a half gallon of the 50/50 mixture.

Thanks for the help guys.:redspot

If all that is special is the zero phosphate thing, couldn't we just run the aluminum rated Prestone stuff?
None of my cars have ever seen anything other than the green aluminum-safe Prestone with no ill effects.

does the aluminum safe prestone contain 0 phosphate? i use that stuff right now but i couldnt find it in the ingredients if it contains any phosphates or not.

good quesiton tho.

so the old m30 engine runs with BMW special coolant right??

so the old m30 engine runs with BMW special coolant right??

yes