[gummozebra]

Hi All! New to the forum, thanks in advance!
I have 2013 F30 316i

My car has shown the "Coolant level too low. Top up the coolant at earliest opportunity" error a few times now. My first initial instance I brought it to a mechanic shop, they simply filled it up with water (don't know what water, probably just tap!), and told me I was good to go.

Long story short, happened couple more times, second time I bought coolant and this shop told me to just pour the whole coolant in without mixing any water. Again in a few weeks the coolant warning came on.

My most concern is latest time the warning light came on yet again, engine was hot but I was afraid so I opened the cap to fill it up to "MAX" line, kept the lid off. I kept the car running and revved the engine, and coolant overboiled and spilled everywhere in the engine compartment.

Shall I be worried about the coolant over-boiling and spilling all over inside the engine compartment? Shall I go to a mechanic to have the whole coolant system "bleed out" and them refill it all fresh? That's a lot of money tho so I'm really considering my options.

Thank you all for your great support and comments/suggestions! Cheers!

[chowser51]

Mileage on car?


Have you checked for leaks? I had to replace my coolant hose after 63k miles. It was leaking.

[gummozebra]

My car's mileage is 45,000 km - no I haven't checked for leaks at the dealer but I've had the car maintained by BMW since new, until the very last service which I did somewhere else. There does not seem to be any coolant leaked to the ground where I park, so any possible leak must be from the inside, and slowly?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by gummozebra

they simply filled it up with water

Don't do that.

this shop told me to just pour the whole coolant in without mixing any water.

Don't do that either. A bad mix of coolant and water can cause overheating and rust in the engine.

kept the lid off. I kept the car running and revved the engine, and coolant overboiled and spilled everywhere in the engine compartment

It boiled over because you had the cap off. Water boils at a higher temperature when it's under pressure. That's why cars have pressurized cooling systems.

Shall I go to a mechanic

Not the one who already gave you bad advice.

to have the whole coolant system "bleed out" and them refill it all fresh?

There's no need for that, but you do need to get your water to coolant ratio back to normal. One of these will tell you when it's correct.