Coolant Resevoir in B58 340i Engine

alistairk · 05-23-2016, 12:19 PM

Hey everyone.

I've been getting an intermittent "Add Coolant" message, so I went to add some this morning and, lo and behold, I couldn't figure out which spout to pour it into.

Tried looking at the manual, but the diagram shows the four cylinder model which isn't helpful and searches didn't yield any results other than both spouts may, in fact, be for coolant (one for the intercooler/DME and the other for engine cooling).

Before I go dousing my engine in coolant, thought I'd try getting the two cents of those more knowledgeable than me. So which is it, the green circle or the red?

Thanks for the help!

Polo08816 · 05-23-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alistairk

Hey everyone.

I've been getting an intermittent "Add Coolant" message, so I went to add some this morning and, lo and behold, I couldn't figure out which spout to pour it into.

Tried looking at the manual, but the diagram shows the four cylinder model which isn't helpful and searches didn't yield any results other than both spouts may, in fact, be for coolant (one for the intercooler/DME and the other for engine cooling).

Before I go dousing my engine in coolant, thought I'd try getting the two cents of those more knowledgeable than me. So which is it, the green circle or the red?

Thanks for the help!

Looks like the red according to ISTA+.

alistairk · 05-23-2016, 02:19 PM

Thanks so much Polo! That was my hunch based on the fact that it's the more prominent one. Any idea what the green is? Not sure how to access the ISTA+ myself.

I just noticed you actually included the pdf, thanks so much for that. Although now I'm scared as it says that "water can filling is not permitted for this engine" and that it should be filled with a vacuum filler. Not sure if that includes topping off, but geez, have these cars gotten so advanced that I can't even add coolant myself?

ErkanTR16 · 05-24-2016, 04:17 AM

@alistairk

I had the same issue during the first week of my purchase.

I took it to the dealership and they added Coolant. According to my Service Advisor, B58 Engines apparently have 2 Reservoirs. 1 of the reservoirs wasn't filled up at all at the Factory.

Take it to the Dealership and they will take care of it asap.

hollandog · 05-25-2016, 10:32 AM

I was checking my coolant level and also confused upon opening the hood.
Obviously I didn't read the manual.

just bought a bottle of distilled water and top off the main reservoir. weird it doesn't come with correct level from factory

eluded · 05-30-2016, 01:22 AM

i smell coolant in my 340 lately... probably not a good sign.

hollandog · 06-14-2016, 11:30 AM

I topped it off before a 1100 miles trip. After the trip I have to top it of again (with distilled water).
I topped it off to the max line and after 1100 miles it half way to the min.

I don't suspect a coolant leak in a brand new 340i. Neither I see any liquids on the floor of driveway.

Where did the coolant go? I bought a gallon of the OEM coolant for future in case.

CruzM3 · 06-14-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollandog

I topped it off before a 1100 miles trip. After the trip I have to top it of again (with distilled water).
I topped it off to the max line and after 1100 miles it half way to the min.

I don't suspect a coolant leak in a brand new 340i. Neither I see any liquids on the floor of driveway.

Where did the coolant go? I bought a gallon of the OEM coolant for future in case.

Good possibility it was under serviced from the factory.

goj · 08-03-2016, 12:41 AM

This happened to me too. A faulty coolant cap can cause it to evaporate. It happened on the old e36 325is my family had. Replaced cap, never again an issue.

I'm watching mine carefully to see if there's further issue but I think the dealer was successful in topping it of and keeping it in there

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 09:31 AM

Just confirming, to top of coolant, you pour it through the red (indicated in your picture).

Is there a visible label showing the min and max for adding coolant?

Thanks!

goj · 08-03-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeleeyh

Just confirming, to top of coolant, you pour it through the red (indicated in your picture).

Is there a visible label showing the min and max for adding coolant?

Thanks!

Yes. The bigger cap

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goj

Yes. The bigger cap

Thanks for the confirmation!

Can you briefly describe how the min / max lines look like. I don't want to overfill.

goj · 08-03-2016, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeleeyh

Quote:

Originally Posted by goj

Yes. The bigger cap

Thanks for the confirmation!

Can you briefly describe how the min / max lines look like. I don't want to overfill.

I watched the guy top it off at the dealer in mine. Just let the car cool completely. I mean completely! Then top it off. Pretty sinple. Just use eyeball test. A little coolant overflow dripping to the ground is all good

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goj

I watched the guy top it off at the dealer in mine. Just let the car cool completely. I mean completely! Then top it off. Pretty sinple. Just use eyeball test. A little coolant overflow dripping to the ground is all good

Alright, sounds good! I got a refill coolant light so I will give it a shot today.
Going to pick up BMW coolant after work

Thanks again!

goj · 08-03-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeleeyh

Quote:

Originally Posted by goj

I watched the guy top it off at the dealer in mine. Just let the car cool completely. I mean completely! Then top it off. Pretty sinple. Just use eyeball test. A little coolant overflow dripping to the ground is all good

Alright, sounds good! I got a refill coolant light so I will give it a shot today.
Going to pick up BMW coolant after work

Thanks again!

Also...the dealer will do it for free if you have an hour

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goj

Also...the dealer will do it for free if you have an hour

I've thought about this but timing just won't work out.

Since the service dept closes at 5:30p, this gives me about 30 minutes to let the car cool down and refill coolant if I go after work.

Timing seems really tight. Plus, I don't want to leave my car overnight just to refill coolant.

Interestingly enough, I got my car checked out and fully serviced last week at BMW. I can't believe they didn't check coolant!

But that is why I wanted to just buy it and do it myself.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 11:41 AM

Can someone confirm, is the BMW coolant premixed 50/50?

alistairk · 08-03-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeleeyh

Can someone confirm, is the BMW coolant premixed 50/50?

When I bought it, the parts guy told me to mix it with water, so I'm guessing it is not premixed.

mikeleeyh · 08-03-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alistairk

When I bought it, the parts guy told me to mix it with water, so I'm guessing it is not premixed.

Understood! Thanks for clarifying.

rambalu80 · 08-09-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeleeyh

Can someone confirm, is the BMW coolant premixed 50/50?

It is not pre-mixed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alistairk

When I bought it, the parts guy told me to mix it with water, so I'm guessing it is not premixed.

Has to be mixed with water, 1:1.

mikeleeyh · 08-09-2016, 04:38 PM

Thanks for confirming!
I've mixed it with distilled water and topped off my coolant.

TheObviousChild · 09-02-2016, 09:44 AM

Hey guys -

So as of this morning, I'm low too. I don't feel like driving to the dealership to get "BMW Coolant" so what's the Advanced Auto Parts equivalent? Is it just generic engine coolant that you dilute 50:50 with water? Or is it a BMW magical blend of herbs and spices?

05-23-2016, 12:19 PM	#1
alistairk Second Lieutenant 118 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 2016 340i MSport, 6MT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (3)	Coolant Resevoir in B58 340i Engine Hey everyone. I've been getting an intermittent "Add Coolant" message, so I went to add some this morning and, lo and behold, I couldn't figure out which spout to pour it into. Tried looking at the manual, but the diagram shows the four cylinder model which isn't helpful and searches didn't yield any results other than both spouts may, in fact, be for coolant (one for the intercooler/DME and the other for engine cooling). Before I go dousing my engine in coolant, thought I'd try getting the two cents of those more knowledgeable than me. So which is it, the green circle or the red? Thanks for the help! Attached Images
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05-23-2016, 02:19 PM	#3
alistairk Second Lieutenant 118 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 2016 340i MSport, 6MT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (3)	Thanks so much Polo! That was my hunch based on the fact that it's the more prominent one. Any idea what the green is? Not sure how to access the ISTA+ myself. I just noticed you actually included the pdf, thanks so much for that. Although now I'm scared as it says that "water can filling is not permitted for this engine" and that it should be filled with a vacuum filler. Not sure if that includes topping off, but geez, have these cars gotten so advanced that I can't even add coolant myself? Last edited by alistairk; 05-23-2016 at 04:38 PM..
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05-24-2016, 04:17 AM	#4
ErkanTR16 64-bit 598 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 340i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i xDrive [0.00]	@alistairk I had the same issue during the first week of my purchase. I took it to the dealership and they added Coolant. According to my Service Advisor, B58 Engines apparently have 2 Reservoirs. 1 of the reservoirs wasn't filled up at all at the Factory. Take it to the Dealership and they will take care of it asap.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

05-25-2016, 10:32 AM	#5
hollandog Major 448 Rep 1,056 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [9.00]	I was checking my coolant level and also confused upon opening the hood. Obviously I didn't read the manual. just bought a bottle of distilled water and top off the main reservoir. weird it doesn't come with correct level from factory __________________ 2016 340i \| Estoril Blue \| Coral Red \| M Sport Last edited by hollandog; 05-25-2016 at 06:03 PM..
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05-30-2016, 01:22 AM	#6
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3005 Rep 3,986 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	i smell coolant in my 340 lately... probably not a good sign. __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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06-14-2016, 11:30 AM	#7
hollandog Major 448 Rep 1,056 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [9.00]	I topped it off before a 1100 miles trip. After the trip I have to top it of again (with distilled water). I topped it off to the max line and after 1100 miles it half way to the min. I don't suspect a coolant leak in a brand new 340i. Neither I see any liquids on the floor of driveway. Where did the coolant go? I bought a gallon of the OEM coolant for future in case. __________________ 2016 340i \| Estoril Blue \| Coral Red \| M Sport
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08-03-2016, 12:41 AM	#9
goj Brigadier General 2253 Rep 3,622 Posts Drives: 2016 EBII 340i 6-MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	This happened to me too. A faulty coolant cap can cause it to evaporate. It happened on the old e36 325is my family had. Replaced cap, never again an issue. I'm watching mine carefully to see if there's further issue but I think the dealer was successful in topping it of and keeping it in there __________________ BMW CCA Member #516012 2016 340i, Estoril Blue, Manual Transmission, MPE, MPBBK, HRE FF04 Instagram: @brandons340i
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08-03-2016, 09:31 AM	#10
mikeleeyh Private First Class 40 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bayside, NY iTrader: (0)	Just confirming, to top of coolant, you pour it through the red (indicated in your picture). Is there a visible label showing the min and max for adding coolant? Thanks!
	Appreciate 1 goj2253.00 Quote

08-03-2016, 11:41 AM	#17
mikeleeyh Private First Class 40 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bayside, NY iTrader: (0)	Can someone confirm, is the BMW coolant premixed 50/50?
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08-09-2016, 04:38 PM	#21
mikeleeyh Private First Class 40 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bayside, NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks for confirming! I've mixed it with distilled water and topped off my coolant.
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09-02-2016, 09:44 AM	#22
TheObviousChild Captain 322 Rep 647 Posts Drives: '23 M3 Comp xDrive - '21 X3M40 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Hey guys - So as of this morning, I'm low too. I don't feel like driving to the dealership to get "BMW Coolant" so what's the Advanced Auto Parts equivalent? Is it just generic engine coolant that you dilute 50:50 with water? Or is it a BMW magical blend of herbs and spices? __________________ Current: 2023 G80 ///M3 Competition xDrive in Atlantis / 2021 X3 M40 Previous: 2020 M340 / 2017 X3 / 2016 340xi / 2013 335xi / 2011 X3 / 2010 328i / 2007 328i / 2004 325i
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