14' F32 N55 Coolant Level

Fat Panda · 01-02-2016, 07:10 AM

Hi,

Recently, it was brought to my attention that my car smelled of burning coolant after shutdown. The person smelled it around the left front fender.

I did a visual inspection of the engine bay, and have not found or noticed any signs of leakage. There is no white smoke coming out of the exhaust, nor is there any smell in the interior.

Upon checking the reservoir, I noticed that the coolant was sitting below the seam of the expansion tank. There are no noticeable min/max indicators on the tank itself.

My car has 40,000km (24,800Mi) on with just the BMW M Performance tune which I got last summer. Coolant was checked on a cold engine.

So is my coolant level normal with what others are experiencing? Do others have similar smells around their car? The only way I can describe the smell is of a plastic nature.

Thanks, and Happy New Years!

xxxjecxxx2 · 01-02-2016, 07:42 AM

If it's not already, fill it up to the max and wait a week then check it again. If it's low, snap a picture and bring both of them with you to the dealer to try and avoid any fees.

The max and low levels are on the left side of the tank, not very visible. These are from my N55 F30.

chiefneil · 01-02-2016, 12:14 PM

I encountered the rather boneheaded min/max indicator confusion myself a few months ago when I wanted to check the level. I had to break out the owner's manual when I couldn't find the darn markings.

Anyway, OP does look a bit low. I'd certainly keep an eye on it if you're smelling burning coolant (it's a distinctive smell).

Fat Panda · 01-03-2016, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the replies. There is no markings on my tank. I guess it relies on the low coolant sensor for the warning.

I am going to wait until my next oil change, and bring it to the attention of the dealer to inspect and top off the coolant.

I am not 100% sure if I am smelling coolant, as well as I am not 100% if I am burning through it as well. It's been freezing lately here in in Canada.

Polo08816 · 04-26-2016, 04:52 AM

I'm planning on doing a coolant drain and fill soon.

Can anyone confirm the proper way/location to drain it is by loosening the hoses connected to the coolant pump?

The Bentley service manual seems to say the drain and fill will require about 2 gallons of coolant for the N55.

Polo08816 · 04-27-2016, 03:56 PM

Screen shots from the ISTA/D Rheingold in case anyone is interested in a DIY down the road.

Polo08816 · 05-07-2016, 05:21 AM

The coolant pump is located underneath 2 lower body shields/trim and above the steering rack.

When I released one of the hoses (bottom most hose), I drained about 1.5 gallons. You won't be able to get the full 1.9 gallons in the system from a drain and fill.

Polo08816 · 05-07-2016, 05:22 AM

It is recommended to hook up a charger/power supply for the coolant bleed procedure.

M2Rush · 09-14-2018, 12:49 PM

Sorry to revive, we can skip the pressure test procedure if we're just doing a drain and fill, correct? or is it required for these cars?

bavarianride · 09-14-2018, 02:06 PM

Should N55 coolant level be up at the seam in the middle of the expansion tank.

Mine is N26 and the shape and capacity of expansion tank is smaller than the N55 one shown.

Mine also was low, way below the MAX marker and just barely above MIN, so it was topped off with 50/50 BMW blue coolant.

After topping off, the pH level was checked, and it was 7(neutral). Fresh 50/50 BMW coolant should be 8.5, so the coolant was replaced at 52k miles(even though BMW says 100k miles change interval).

01-02-2016, 07:10 AM	#1
Fat Panda Private First Class 34 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 14' 435i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	14' F32 N55 Coolant Level Hi, Recently, it was brought to my attention that my car smelled of burning coolant after shutdown. The person smelled it around the left front fender. I did a visual inspection of the engine bay, and have not found or noticed any signs of leakage. There is no white smoke coming out of the exhaust, nor is there any smell in the interior. Upon checking the reservoir, I noticed that the coolant was sitting below the seam of the expansion tank. There are no noticeable min/max indicators on the tank itself. My car has 40,000km (24,800Mi) on with just the BMW M Performance tune which I got last summer. Coolant was checked on a cold engine. So is my coolant level normal with what others are experiencing? Do others have similar smells around their car? The only way I can describe the smell is of a plastic nature. Thanks, and Happy New Years! __________________ 2014 BMW 435i xDrive M-Sport "Elphie" \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Coral Red Interior \| M Performance Package I \| Premium Package \| ConnectedDrive \| bootmod3 OTS Stage 1 93 Octane Tune \| M Performance Exhaust \| M Performance Stainless Steel Pedal Covers \| Dinan Performance Spring Set \| Dinan Supplemental Ride Quality \| Precision Raceworks N55 Ignition Kit
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01-02-2016, 07:42 AM	#2
xxxjecxxx2 Banned 153 Rep 438 Posts Drives: F30 335i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 F30 335i [0.00] 2015 F15 X5 [0.00] 2017 G30 540i [0.00]	If it's not already, fill it up to the max and wait a week then check it again. If it's low, snap a picture and bring both of them with you to the dealer to try and avoid any fees. The max and low levels are on the left side of the tank, not very visible. These are from my N55 F30.
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01-02-2016, 12:14 PM	#3
chiefneil Lieutenant Colonel 772 Rep 1,502 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I encountered the rather boneheaded min/max indicator confusion myself a few months ago when I wanted to check the level. I had to break out the owner's manual when I couldn't find the darn markings. Anyway, OP does look a bit low. I'd certainly keep an eye on it if you're smelling burning coolant (it's a distinctive smell).
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01-03-2016, 05:22 AM	#4
Fat Panda Private First Class 34 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 14' 435i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. There is no markings on my tank. I guess it relies on the low coolant sensor for the warning. I am going to wait until my next oil change, and bring it to the attention of the dealer to inspect and top off the coolant. I am not 100% sure if I am smelling coolant, as well as I am not 100% if I am burning through it as well. It's been freezing lately here in in Canada. __________________ 2014 BMW 435i xDrive M-Sport "Elphie" \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Coral Red Interior \| M Performance Package I \| Premium Package \| ConnectedDrive \| bootmod3 OTS Stage 1 93 Octane Tune \| M Performance Exhaust \| M Performance Stainless Steel Pedal Covers \| Dinan Performance Spring Set \| Dinan Supplemental Ride Quality \| Precision Raceworks N55 Ignition Kit
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04-26-2016, 04:52 AM	#5
Polo08816 Brigadier General 1610 Rep 3,947 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I'm planning on doing a coolant drain and fill soon. Can anyone confirm the proper way/location to drain it is by loosening the hoses connected to the coolant pump? The Bentley service manual seems to say the drain and fill will require about 2 gallons of coolant for the N55.
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04-27-2016, 03:56 PM	#6
Polo08816 Brigadier General 1610 Rep 3,947 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Coolant Drain and Fill Screen shots from the ISTA/D Rheingold in case anyone is interested in a DIY down the road. Attached Images
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05-07-2016, 05:21 AM	#7
Polo08816 Brigadier General 1610 Rep 3,947 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	The coolant pump is located underneath 2 lower body shields/trim and above the steering rack. When I released one of the hoses (bottom most hose), I drained about 1.5 gallons. You won't be able to get the full 1.9 gallons in the system from a drain and fill.
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05-07-2016, 05:22 AM	#8
Polo08816 Brigadier General 1610 Rep 3,947 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	It is recommended to hook up a charger/power supply for the coolant bleed procedure. Attached Images
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09-14-2018, 12:49 PM	#9
M2Rush First Lieutenant 83 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2014 BSM 335i x-drive Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: The 6 iTrader: (1)	Sorry to revive, we can skip the pressure test procedure if we're just doing a drain and fill, correct? or is it required for these cars?
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09-14-2018, 02:06 PM	#10
bavarianride Major General 1509 Rep 5,089 Posts Drives: bimmer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: northern california iTrader: (0)	Should N55 coolant level be up at the seam in the middle of the expansion tank. Mine is N26 and the shape and capacity of expansion tank is smaller than the N55 one shown. Mine also was low, way below the MAX marker and just barely above MIN, so it was topped off with 50/50 BMW blue coolant. After topping off, the pH level was checked, and it was 7(neutral). Fresh 50/50 BMW coolant should be 8.5, so the coolant was replaced at 52k miles(even though BMW says 100k miles change interval).
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