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Thread: Coolant capacity

  1. #1
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    Coolant capacity

    So, I was coming home from some Christmas shopping and I noticed a plume of smoke behind me and then later smoke coming out of the hood! I got to Kuni BMW and shut her off just before she got all the way to the red! Opened up the hood and saw that my upper radiator hose popped off! I put it back on, tightened up the clamp. They ended up donated me a gallon of coolant since parts were closed. I mixed the gallon to 50/50, added a gallon. I stopped after 10 miles since it said to check coolant level, added nearly a gallon more. (I added a gallon at the dealership before I left) The temperature stayed at normal operating temperature, but just after 5 miles after it told me to check coolant. How much do these cars hold?
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  2. #2
    IcemanBHE's Avatar
    IcemanBHE is offline ¿pǝpɹɐʇǝɹ noʎ ǝɹɐ
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    Its puking it out. You have the dreaded AIR in the system.

    Ask me how many gallons I put in to figure this out....
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  3. #3
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcallister View Post
    ... it told me to check coolant. How much do these cars hold?
    Double dittos here...sounds like you may some trapped air...so start her up and turn the heat all the way up to 90 degrees (F) (32 C) so that you can get coolant running to the heater core...also try parking on an incline or drive up on some ramps so that the front of the car is higher...then loosen the bleed screw on the expansion tank and wait for the trapped air to escape.


    From owners manual: (coolant capacity is above highlighted text in chart below)

    Last edited by Qsilver7; 12-20-2009 at 09:32 AM.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by IcemanBHE View Post
    Its puking it out. You have the dreaded AIR in the system.

    Ask me how many gallons I put in to figure this out....
    How many? Since the air was trapped, did it keep popping off hoses and then you were losing the coolant? Is there other coolant that is compatible with the BMW coolant? Is it possible when I went to do some preventative maintenance by changing out the bleeder screw (car was slightly warm, coolant was spitting back at me so I decided to replace when cold) that air got inside and caused my hose to pop off?? Also, the stem with the ball on top that indicates the level of the coolant, I am confused as to where it says it's full. Right now, it's cold and it's a couple inches from the top.
    Last edited by mcallister; 12-20-2009 at 12:52 PM.
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  6. #6
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    I had the same problem with my hose. Turned out to be my motor mounts. The motor would moving causing the hose to pop off. Could that be the reason why its popping off?

    Running on all 8 cylinders once again!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcallister View Post
    ... the stem with the ball on top that indicates the level of the coolant, I am confused as to where it says it's full. Right now, it's cold and it's a couple inches from the top.
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  8. #8
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    Qsilver 7, thanks for the info. I filled it when cold, ran the temp up to 90 degrees, fan on low, got it warmed up. Bleed the system until a stream of coolant was coming out. Gave the car a bath and as I was driving it back into the garage the check coolant level came on. So far since the ordeal last night, I have added 7 1/2 quarts of 50/50 BMW coolant/water. Is it possible that I lost the whole 13.2 quarts? I'll let it cool down again and refill. Do I have to bleed each time I refill from the expansion tank?? Again Qsilver7, thanks for the help and info!!
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  9. #9
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    I would recommend to overfill to be honest as I had to bleed my system 3 times, the first two times I had to overfill then drive afterwards then after bleeding again and pumping the coolant hoses it filled to the correct level and now all is perfect.

  10. #10
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    overfill will put a strain on the system! never overfill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Last edited by Edwin NL; 12-25-2009 at 04:07 AM.

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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edwin NL View Post
    overfill will but a strain on the system! never overfill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Yeah, I'm not hip to overfilling. I am just going to let her sit for a couple hours, fill it to the top, run it, bleed it, unless I am told otherwise. Any comments, please chime in!

    Thanks again for your help!
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  12. #12
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    put the car as in your sig pic, and you should be fine

    Have a technical question, don't send me a PM but post it on the board so others can benefit from it!

  13. #13
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    Ed, can I get phosphate free and nitrate free antifreeze other than BMW coolant. It was still low, I filled it with the last of what I've got. It's full for now, but I'm out of the BMW stuff.
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  14. #14
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    just add a little water till you get new BMW coolant

    Have a technical question, don't send me a PM but post it on the board so others can benefit from it!

  15. #15
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    distilled water to get by (stop by the local drug store or grocery store & pick up a gallon or 2).

    I believe Zerex G-05 is a recommended equivalent if you are "not" a BMW coolant stickler.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 12-20-2009 at 05:29 PM.
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  16. #16
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    WHAT Q??? NON BMW???? you want a ban buddy

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  17. #17
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    What's going on here! Has someone has assumed my identity!


    j/k
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 12-20-2009 at 08:03 PM.
    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

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  18. #18
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    IcemanBHE is offline ¿pǝpɹɐʇǝɹ noʎ ǝɹɐ
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    I had a gigantic air bubble trapped in the back of the heads/block.

    I ended up having to take mine and get the air out via vacuum at my local indy.

    No matter how much I put in...it puked it back out.

    I went thru 4 gallons, and never got it.
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  19. #19
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    Before left, I topped it off, got it up to temperature, parked it back in the garage. Got some Pentosin coolant, got back home and it's full. I'll go take it for a drive and see what happens....hey, at least I have some for later. One more thing. I ended up tugging on the upper radiator hose and it came off! I noticed a piece of the nipple or whatever you call it broke off! Maybe 1/8", and 1/4 of one side. I scooted the clamp to clamp what's left! UGH, so, I'm guessing the radator is brittle now? I should just replace it, along with the hoses and serpentine belt. How hard is it to replace all that? Update: Just got back from an hour drive, no check coolant level warnings, upper radiator hose is not leaking. Hmmm, how much time do I have with the upper radiator nipple breaks off completely. Maybe I should just be done with it and go with the Zionsville radiator and expansion tank! Don't know, but I'll keep you guys informed. Glad I didn't have to add the Pentosin, red in color, but somehow comparable to BMW coolant, so I can keep her pure!
    Last edited by mcallister; 12-20-2009 at 09:16 PM.
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  20. #20
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    Coolant Level

    New here. Mine problem was "check coolant level" is on for few seconds when I started and shutoff the engine. Temp gauge is dead center. Had the radiator replace and the coolant level sensor.... I have performed both the hot and cold engine bled.... Still have this "check coolant level" .... Any other suggestions? Thanks,

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcallister View Post
    I should just replace it, along with the hoses and serpentine belt. How hard is it to replace all that?
    I did my serpentine and A/C belt about a month ago using the e38.org write-up. It's a very easy job and you don't need to remove the fan to get the main belt off/on. Total job took me about 30 mins.

  22. #22
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    If you damaged the nipple at all it's time for a new rad.

    G-05 coolant is good stuff, but good luck finding it.

  23. #23
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    Yeah, I'll get the Zionsville in there shortly along with the expansion tank. Napa had the Zerex G-05 in stock, but I chose the Pentosin. Never used it though. Actually glad I didn't. I gotta stay pure.
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


  24. #24
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    don't blow your $$ on Zionsville!

    You can replace 4 radiators for that

    Have a technical question, don't send me a PM but post it on the board so others can benefit from it!

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edwin NL View Post
    don't blow your $$ on Zionsville!

    You can replace 4 radiators for that
    Just realized that! They want close to $1200 for their complete cooling system plus expansion tank. I'll check out new radiator and expansion tank prices at my dealer. Is it easy to do?
    http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/mcallister95/
    production date: 01/95, DUDMD engine chip, Dinan transmission chip, Dinan CAI, Beyern Multis, Magnaflow cats, mufflers, 3" down turn tips. Bilstein shocks, struts, H & R stage II springs, strong strut brace, pornlights, wood ashtrays, leather/wood seatbacks, euro lighted headrests, 750 kidney grills, wood handles, wood maplight, b-pillars out of a 750, Ford Mustang injectors, "E's" AE and LED 3rd brake light special, cats delete, Magnaflow X-pipe, 199K miles


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