Coolants level at odd positions? - United Bimmer Community

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-02-2007, 10:30 AM

Ok So I noticed this over a long time now, When it's cold. my coolant level will be below the "COLD" line.....sometimes, but when it warms up it goes to the normal line, ya know a lil below the very top.
now sometimes if it's been sitting for awhile and it's cold it goes right at the cold line, but always the day after it's like somewhat below it, prolly like an inch or half an inch or something. Now when I open the cap after it's been driving the coolant level goes all the way up.

Ok here's the funny part, I havent Lost any coolant......ever, it's been doing this for a long time and it's never gone down any lower?

ANY explanation for this.
Thx

BTW my car used to leak coolant, but....it stopped randomly I dunno why, maybe fault valve cover.

but anyone explain plz. Should I be worried or what

DEATH2000 · 02-02-2007, 12:33 PM

Try bleeding the system and then see what the coolant level is. Maybe u have an airpocket somewere in the lines since it used to leak.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-02-2007, 03:51 PM

I suppose, but would that make it do that randomly, I mean it's been doing it for at LEAST 6 months?

but it doesnt mean its leaking does it, or else i'd be losing coolant correct?

DEATH2000 · 02-02-2007, 06:13 PM

If it was leaking yes ud be losing coolant. Also if the vehicle is parked overnight or for long periods of time youd notice the coolant on the ground.

My check coolant level sensor is messed and keeps saying check coolant level but my coolant is really fine. Its been doing it for about 3-5 months now. Im pretty sure if the car doesnt throw a code its not an immediate or huge problem/danger to the car. I would probably recommond checking it every couple of weeks or so.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-07-2007, 08:47 PM

Weird....I just dont know why the levels would be going up and down like that, but it's been doing it for awhile, but mainly when it's cold. Maybe I do have an air bubble?

**xsperf** · 02-07-2007, 10:05 PM

coolant level or temp?

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-09-2007, 07:13 PM

no it's my actual coolant level. my temps fine.
it's my coolant leve that fluctuates bigtime. but when it's warmed up. and I take off the cap it'll go all the way up to the top; but sometimes in morning, it's an inch or so below the KALT (cold) line

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-10-2007, 09:42 AM

anyone else have any idea. I mean it's been doing iit forever, but it never goes down any more. and I doubt it's leaking like a little bit then refilling itself. and if it was leaking eventually it'd be gone......so i have no clue

**quest6445** · 02-10-2007, 04:03 PM

I believe the cooling system is a closed loop pressurized system, the water level will fluctuate when hot and cold.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-10-2007, 06:57 PM

well yea. but why would the levels fluctuate like that...?

**Mercenary(FH)** · 02-11-2007, 01:14 PM

but if I did have an air pocket...would it actually stay in my system for that long...ilike 6 months......

**B_w.** · 02-16-2007, 05:02 PM

bleed the system and leave it at that...who cares if it flucuates as long as it works fine and you are not overheating...

**daki77** · 02-17-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercenary(FH)

well yea. but why would the levels fluctuate like that...?

Because of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by quest6445

I believe the cooling system is a closed loop pressurized system, the water level will fluctuate when hot and cold.

It's NORMAL. That's why the "cold line" is called "cold line", and not just "line"...that means that the level should be at that line when cold (not the weather, but the engine).

**robertplattbell** · 03-01-2007, 11:41 PM

Coolant expands and contracts with temperature, hence the HOT and COLD levels. This is normal.

Leaks usually do not "mysteriously" go away. Check the clamp on the thin overflow tube near the cap. This often leaks, and it will leave a white powder where the leakage occurs (you DO detail your engine with every oil change, right?). A simple worm gear clamp (all stainless) can replace the crimp clamp here. Even a wire tie can fix this leak.

Be sure to flush with BMW coolant and distilled water, in a 50:50 mix every 2 years or 24,000 miles. Read the Bently manual, if you don't bleed the bejesus out of these things, you'll overheat it and warp the head.

Good Luck.

**B_w.** · 03-02-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertplattbell

Coolant expands and contracts with temperature, hence the HOT and COLD levels. This is normal.

Leaks usually do not "mysteriously" go away. Check the clamp on the thin overflow tube near the cap. This often leaks, and it will leave a white powder where the leakage occurs (you DO detail your engine with every oil change, right?). A simple worm gear clamp (all stainless) can replace the crimp clamp here. Even a wire tie can fix this leak.

Be sure to flush with BMW coolant and distilled water, in a 50:50 mix every 2 years or 24,000 miles. Read the Bently manual, if you don't bleed the bejesus out of these things, you'll overheat it and warp the head.

Good Luck.

yup, the cooling system on these cars really suck! i wonder how much over heating it takes to actually warp the head?

i was having some problems with over heating so i decided to replace the entire cooling system with upgraded parts...