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Thread: Coolant low question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    Philippines
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    DavidHefAJ

    Coolant low question

    I remember reading somewhere that I have to use "special, red" coolant in this car. What's the deal? It's just a little low and I'd rather not have to go all the way to the dealer when there's an auto parts store right up the road.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
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    1,417
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    540it-318ti-318ic-Z3
    OEM coolant is blue. There are differing opinions on which to use, but what seems to be common is whatever you choose, to use a phospate free coolant to protect the aluminum parts in our motors.

    1999 540it - Schwartz II/Sand Beige, style 5 rims, Conti DWS 235/45 tires, Billy HD/Sports, Stoptech S/S BL, F1 Pinacle 35% tint, Zionsville Cooling kit
    1998 318ti Cali Sport - Schwartz II/Schwartz Anthratz, staggered style 23
    1997 318ti Sport - Schwartz II/Schwartz Anthratz, staggered style 68 ,

    1995 318ti Active - Alpineweib III/Schwartz, squared style 32
    1994 325i - Bostongrau/Tan, Billy Sports, H&R springs
    1991 318ic - Schwarz/Anthratz Stoff, Bilstien HD, Z4 3.0 SS, Magnaflow, S/S Stress bar, x-brace, M20 FW, Elipsoid/HID, K&N

    BMWCCA# 160411

    1995 318ti Sport Schwartz II/Schwartz Anthratz - Sold
    1985 635CSI - Schwartz\Sand - Sold

    1984 533i "Max" - Schwarz/Schwarz, - Sold
    1984 318i - Champagne/Tan, Stock - Sold

  3. #3
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    Feb 2004
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    DavidHefAJ
    OK cool, so I *CAN* just pick up a gallon from the store(?) Can you recommend a brand? Thank you!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    98 540iA (Prd 11/97)
    Just make sure it is phosphate free like BlackBMWs said and be sure to put in a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water even when just topping off.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Paradise Valley, AZ
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    '02 530i & '09 335d
    Quote Originally Posted by jamesdc4 View Post
    Just make sure it is phosphate free like BlackBMWs said and be sure to put in a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water even when just topping off.
    you sure we have to do 50/50?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    West Michigan
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    98 540iA (Prd 11/97)
    Quote Originally Posted by andyffer View Post
    you sure we have to do 50/50?
    Yes.
    You can pick up a bottle pre-mixed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Middle of a corn field
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    E39 hamster/ruberbandPWR
    This is what I was told by my mechanic.

    It is OK to use the Prestone coolant, if you flush the system completely, and get rid of the old BMW blue coolant.

    Reference this thread:
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46962

    And this:
    http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw...postid=1497168

    Quote:
    " As for coolants - there are three types. In the most basic of categories, green, blue, and orange. Green is the old "regular" coolant. Blue is what is in my 330Ci...not sure if it is in every BMW model. Orange is marketed as a coolant that never has to be changed.

    More specifically (and I am sure someone on here will trump my limited knowledge), blue is NAP-free (nitrate, ammonium, phosphate free as in the post above). Orange is NAP-S- free, meaning also silicate free. What does this all mean? You CAN change coolant types, however, you CANNOT mix all coolants, as they will precipitate out in solutiuon. i.e. you can drain "regular" and replace it with blue, or orange....but if your "regular" coolant is low, I am sure it would be a good idea to simply ADD blue or orange to top it off (basically I am not sure which coolants cannot mix).

    Big picture: go to BMW and buy their coolant($13 for more than you will need), mix it 50/50 with distilled water, and add to the car. Alternatively, just call BMW and ask which coolant type they use (or the color) and go buy that at the local auto shop. Like mixes with like."
    Last edited by Jason5driver; 01-02-2009 at 01:15 PM.

    Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    Posts
    1,114
    My Cars
    99 540i
    The red coolant reminds me of that GM Dex-cool stuff.
    1999 540i Sport

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