[MarkDemma]

I just assumed that when the coolant was low, the car would send a message via Connected Drive and a service agent would be dispatched to your location immediately to refill. Is this not the case?

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by MarkDemma

I just assumed that when the coolant was low, the car would send a message via Connected Drive and a service agent would be dispatched to your location immediately to refill. Is this not the case?

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by hitekexec

Real problem now is an unknown random trigger to the coolant alert, with coolant levels fine.

Exactly. On my '18 M240i, the low-coolant light continues to come on from time to time, for no more than a second or two. Sometimes more frequently than others, for no apparent reason. The odd warning is not due to low coolant; both reservoirs have been checked and rechecked. The light comes on randomly, unrelated to any circumstance in particular, and therefore it can't be replicated for a service advisor. I keep hoping that someone with this problem will stumble on the problem/fix... it's the only issue I've had with the car, but it still annoys me.

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Exactly. On my '18 M240i, the low-coolant light continues to come on from time to time, for no more than a second or two. SomeTimes more frequently than others, for no apparent reason. The odd warning is not due to low coolant; both reservoirs have been checked and rechecked. The light comes on randomly, unrelated to any circumstance in particular, and therefore it can't be replicated for a service advisor. I keep hoping that someone with this problem will stumble on the problem/fix... it's the only issue I've had with the car, but it still annoys me.

Well, that can be a issue with coolant level sensor, sensor connector or floater in the bottle.

[aerobod]

The sensor is capacitive (two vertical probes in the tank bottom). It only seems to be available as part of the expansion tank. Likely false level warnings are caused by either corrosion or deposits on the probes. Topping up with the wrong coolant, not using distilled water for coolant dilution or the wrong coolant concentration may be contributing factors to sensor contamination or corrosion.

[morphomeman]

I have 34000 miles on my car. At about 20000 miles, my 20-something daughter was driving the car locally and the warning light went on. She responsibly stopped at the nearest corner gas station, they sold her some generic coolant and poured enough into the tank to fill it. Nothing since.
This leads me to agree with others that the persistent signal is likely due to a faulty, maybe corroded, sensor. The dealer or a competent independent can check that without having the warning active.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

I have 34000 miles on my car. At about 20000 miles, my 20-something daughter was driving the car locally and the warning light went on. She responsibly stopped at the nearest corner gas station, they sold her some generic coolant and poured enough into the tank to fill it. Nothing since.
This leads me to agree with others that the persistent signal is likely due to a faulty, maybe corroded, sensor. The dealer or a competent independent can check that without having the warning active.

I would check which generic coolant was added, as it needs to be silcate, nitrite and amine free (which something like Prestone green is not). BMW, Xerex G-05 or G48 coolants in long-life specs are compatible, but many aren't. The long term effect of using the wrong coolant will be deposits and/or corrosion in the system and certainly an effect on the factory fill coolant life. If the coolant added was unknown, it is best to have the system checked and flushed. Bear in mind that the B58 engine requires a very convoluted vacuum fill procedure, which BMW claims could lead to engine problems if not followed correctly, due to not being able to eliminate system air pockets by using conventional fill and bleed methods.

[Funwithdesign]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I would check which generic coolant was added, as it needs to be silcate, nitrite and amine free (which something like Prestone green is not). BMW, Xerex G-05 or G48 coolants in long-life specs are compatible, but many aren't. The long term effect of using the wrong coolant will be deposits and/or corrosion in the system and certainly an effect on the factory fill coolant life.

My first e30 had this issue. When I drained the system to fix a failed water pump, everything was full of aluminum sludge. Was lucky it didn't corrode the the head more and create leaks.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I would check which generic coolant was added, as it needs to be silcate, nitrite and amine free (which something like Prestone green is not). BMW, Xerex G-05 or G48 coolants in long-life specs are compatible, but many aren't. The long term effect of using the wrong coolant will be deposits and/or corrosion in the system and certainly an effect on the factory fill coolant life. If the coolant added was unknown, it is best to have the system checked and flushed. Bear in mind that the B58 engine requires a very convoluted vacuum fill procedure, which BMW claims could lead to engine problems if not followed correctly, due to not being able to eliminate system air pockets by using conventional fill and bleed methods.

This is why one of the first things I do when I pick up a new vehicle is buy a container of the OEM coolant and find out how it's supposed to be used (e.g., mixed 50-50 with distilled water).

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Funwithdesign

My first e30 had this issue. When I drained the system to fix a failed water pump, everything was full of aluminum sludge. Was lucky it didn't corrode the the head more and create leaks.

When helping friends or family buy used BMWs I always have a couple of basic rules, the coolant one is - if it is blue the car is worth looking at, if it is green, orange or brown 'run away', any other colour ask for documentation to prove what was used is BMW compatible. Too many issues with BMWs and other European cars in North America over the years with cooling system failures due to the wrong coolant being used.

[vwcrusher]

FWIW, I have about 7000 mi on my '17 m240 xdrive, and haven't seen any warnings.....yet.

[Funwithdesign]

Originally Posted by aerobod

When helping friends or family buy used BMWs I always have a couple of basic rules, the coolant one is - if it is blue the car is worth looking at, if it is green, orange or brown 'run away', any other colour ask for documentation to prove what was used is BMW compatible. Too many issues with BMWs and other European cars in North America over the years with cooling system failures due to the wrong coolant being used.

Yeah and mixing the various types creates even more issues.

[loudiamond15]

So I first started researching this issue about 2 months ago when I took my 2018 M240i in for its first scheduled service at 9k miles. I started getting the low coolant warning about a week before my appointment. Like most others I read about, I checked both reservoirs and the main one was indeed under the "low" mark. As instructed by the stealership's service department, I topped her off with distilled water until they could get a look at it in a week's time. I did that and did not have the coolant warning come back. I also had no evidence whatsoever of any leaking anywhere I parked. I took it in for the appointment and the tech said the same as most have posted, that it was most likely slight evaporation and wasn't completely topped off from the dealer and there were no leaks of any kind anywhere. I kept a keen eye on it for the next month and saw no issues so I thought nothing more of it.

Fast forward to this past weekend. I took a short trip to a friend's Christmas party who lives about 2 hours away (125 miles one way). I get back into town and right as I'm on my last 5 miles of the trip, the coolant warning comes on again. I get home, park and within minutes I could see a pool forming under the front left (if you're looking at the headlights). I thought it may be water condensation from running the A/C, but nope, it definitely had a blue tint. After the car cooled down enough to check late that night I confirmed that the main reservoir was below the "low" mark again considerably. I called the stealership's service department this morning and scheduled to take it in. It's currently sitting there waiting for assessment.

For reference, I don't drive the car hard a lot. Mostly the only time I really get on it is when I'm merging onto the interstate going to and from work each day. I'd say it's about a 50/50 mix of highway/in-town driving. I just passed 11000 total miles. No mods of any kind, so it's straight factory. I'll update this when I get word back from the service department.

[loudiamond15]

So I got a call from the stealership Tuesday morning. They found there was a puncture in my radiator which looked like it had been caused by a rock or some other debris from the road kicking up and hitting it. So either I am the unluckiest person in the world or there is a serious design flaw that would allow for something like this to happen. Long story short, it's not covered by warranty and oddly enough it appears it was not related to my initial low coolant issue a couple months ago. Either way, I'll still be keeping an eye on the coolant levels moving forward.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by loudiamond15

So I got a call from the stealership Tuesday morning. They found there was a puncture in my radiator which looked like it had been caused by a rock or some other debris from the road kicking up and hitting it. So either I am the unluckiest person in the world or there is a serious design flaw that would allow for something like this to happen. Long story short, it's not covered by warranty and oddly enough it appears it was not related to my initial low coolant issue a couple months ago. Either way, I'll still be keeping an eye on the coolant levels moving forward.

The potential damage to the radiator due to its not being protected from rocks has been reported in detail here: https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewto...?f=74&t=110573.

The rock guard in this realoem.com image is BMW's solution:


These were my solutions:

[MarcoZandrini]

dradernh, how did you get the grills out?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

dradernh, how did you get the grills out?

I didn't do the work. I'm pretty certain that the bumper cover was removed so that the screens could be installed.

[aerobod]

I just finished using black aluminium mesh to cover all 5 of the grille openings to protect against damge. I obtained the material from here: https://www.amazon.ca/Lanlan-6x12mm-.../dp/B07B93TQSW

[BenDiem]

Is the low coolant issue only on the 240i?
I'm curious why this is not an issue w/the 230i? Similar cooling system, no?

Has anyone w/a 230i experienced this coolant issue?

I'm looking to buy a new DD (240i, or now 230i?) and I don't want to deal with this type of annoyance/irritant.

TYIA/cheers,

B

[keylime503]

Originally Posted by BenDiem

Is the low coolant issue only on the 240i?
I'm curious why this is not an issue w/the 230i? Similar cooling system, no?

Has anyone w/a 230i experienced this coolant issue?

I'm looking to buy a new DD (240i, or now 230i?) and I don't want to deal with this type of annoyance/irritant.

TYIA/cheers,

B

IIRC only the B58 has the coolant system with the two separate coolant tanks.

[F22_Matt]

2017 240i. First coolant warning was at around 8k and then again at around 19k miles. Both times coolant needed to be topped off and it took a little under 1 quart both times.

[Redsauce]

2018 240i 3500 miles.
Reading these posts I visually checked both reservoirs although no warning light.
Coolant level was definitely below the 'low' indicator.
50/50 BMW coolant added which required less than a pint to bring both to full.
Wondered why the idiot light was not activated...