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      02-20-2020, 12:58 PM   #1
jpm5150
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Coolant low too frequent?

Howdy,
I've got a 2018 440xi with M-tune with 29k miles and about every 4-6 months, I am getting a coolant low warning. Given my previous 435, 535 and 645 never had coolant warnings between services, it got me wondering if there is something either unique about the engine in the 440xi where coolant leaks out super slow as designed or if I have a defect somewhere. I have not noticed any liquids in the garage, albeit, this might be such a small leak that it burns off unnoticeably. I asked the dealer service center about it and they said that was common for turbo engines. I rolled my eyes as my 435 and 535 engines were turbos.

Anyone out there know if this is something to ignore or something to get shop to investigate further on? If ignore, I'm happy to keep topping off, just want some peace of mine.

Cheers, Jeff
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      02-20-2020, 01:30 PM   #2
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I haven't lost a drop in five years. You don't have a major leak, but you do have a leak.
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      02-20-2020, 02:18 PM   #3
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Not normal. Have system pressure tested.
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      02-20-2020, 02:33 PM   #4
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Had to top mine off last week. Not too much. Almost at 60k miles. Haven't had it come back. I was going to do a purge but I guess it's not needed.
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      02-20-2020, 03:28 PM   #5
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You should not have peace of mind until you've solved the missing coolant issue. Its a problem, and it could lead to much larger problems down the road. A leak means the system isn't building pressure to where it should, which means its running hotter than designed. Small leaks always become big leaks, so address it before it develops into a much more expensive deal
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      02-26-2020, 12:38 PM   #6
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I just had this, and for me it would happen about every week.
so took it in, and they said it was the Coolant level sensor in the reservoir bottle.
replaced it about a month ago, and no issues so far.
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      03-11-2020, 04:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpm5150 View Post
Howdy,
I've got a 2018 440xi with M-tune with 29k miles and about every 4-6 months, I am getting a coolant low warning. Given my previous 435, 535 and 645 never had coolant warnings between services, it got me wondering if there is something either unique about the engine in the 440xi where coolant leaks out super slow as designed or if I have a defect somewhere. I have not noticed any liquids in the garage, albeit, this might be such a small leak that it burns off unnoticeably. I asked the dealer service center about it and they said that was common for turbo engines. I rolled my eyes as my 435 and 535 engines were turbos.

Anyone out there know if this is something to ignore or something to get shop to investigate further on? If ignore, I'm happy to keep topping off, just want some peace of mine.

Cheers, Jeff
This is definitely not normal. I suspect that one of the possibilities is coolant leaking through the reservoir cap or - more complex - through a faulty turbo bearing.

When the car is cold, remove the main tank reservoir cap and look for white residue. If present, the main tank reservoir cap needs to be replaced. The reservoir cap on my 2017 440i GC was replaced.

The coolant leaking through the turbo bearing (and evaporating) has been reported in the past. I would ask the dealer to specifically investigate this issue.
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      07-05-2020, 05:02 PM   #8
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Restarting this thread on behalf of my 2017 440i GC with 29K miles.

The reservoir cap was replaced in September 2019 after low coolant warning appeared. I added a liter of proper 50/50 mixture before driving to the dealer. The dealer pressure tested the coolant system and found no leaks.

I checked the main coolant tank again. The coolant is a bit low but not low enough to trigger a warning message. White residue around the cap has resurfaced.

The smaller tank (intercooler) is full.

Will be bringing the car to the dealer on Monday for an oil change and pre-warranty expiration check.

Any insights from other forum members, especially about coolant leaking through the turbo bearing?
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      07-09-2020, 01:27 PM   #9
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The dealer just advised me that the field engineer hasn't heard / could not find any instance of a problem where coolant loss was due to turbocharger leaking coolant through the bearing.

Can someone with this exact same problem post a copy of the repair invoice (minus PII)?

Countless thanks.
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      07-09-2020, 09:44 PM   #10
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It's going somewhere! Keep at them, especially since you are under warranty. Force them to document every visit when that occurs. It's a PITA, but when your warranty expires and something fails that can be traced to that issue, you have documentation that you have been complaining about the problem while under warranty.
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      07-10-2020, 07:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
The dealer just advised me that the field engineer hasn't heard / could not find any instance of a problem where coolant loss was due to turbocharger leaking coolant through the bearing.

Can someone with this exact same problem post a copy of the repair invoice (minus PII)?

Countless thanks.
I just returned from the dealer. The service technician put tamper proof seals under both large and small reservoir caps and asked to return when coolant warning appears again. This problem was noted before the warranty expired so I was assured that future repairs will be covered.

Again - both warm and cold pressure tests revealed no leaks.

With Covid-19, all of us (at least I am ...) are driving less. So low coolant warning may appear later than expected.

I asked BMW NA to escalate and pay for turbocharger removal and inspection to see if coolant has been leaking through the bearing.

Which bring me to the original request ...

Can someone with this exact same problem post a copy of the repair invoice (minus PII)? Or - PM me?
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      07-10-2020, 09:40 PM   #12
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aren't their A LOT of threads out there regarding the B58 and coolant loss? not specific to a series either.. one guy said the dealership just gave him a gallon of 50/50 coolant and called it a day.. sucks, maybe it has to do with the new liquid to air intercooler setup? not sure if they found specifically what the cause of the problem is tho.
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      08-01-2020, 11:24 AM   #13
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Hey guys just a heads up that low coolant warning is a no joke. I had the same thing on my 2017 330i I complained about it and the dealer just asked me to buy a gallon of coolant and top it off. A year later I had a catastrophic coolant leak that the car have activated my radiator fan, I went home top it off then next thing I know coolant all over the garage. I rushed to BMW (5 mins drive away) and they found out I have a defect coolant hose that connects to the head cylinder.
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      08-01-2020, 05:58 PM   #14
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Just resolved a similar issue on my N55 with 142k miles. Had a very slow leak somewhere that required me to add about a pint every 2 months or so. Could not find any sign or smell of leakage anywhere. Finally discovered the culprit when troubleshooting a small vacuum leak issue. When I unbolted the coolant reservoir, lifted up to disconnect the electrical connector on the bottom, the connector wires pulled out of the connector. They were very corroded and damp with coolant. Upon examining the reservoir receptacle for the connector discovered had a very fine crack from which the coolant was slowly escaping. New connector and reservoir on the way.
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      08-06-2020, 07:25 PM   #15
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Bump.

Anyone with a more recent update about B58 coolant loss?
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      10-18-2020, 01:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Bump.

Anyone with a more recent update about B58 coolant loss?

I just got the low coolant warning on my 2018 440xi GC. I will check for the white residue in the morning before topping it off. Sounds like I might as well bring it in this week while I still can. The car has 35k miles and was at the dealership last week for an oil change and nothing was mentioned. I purchased the car a few months ago with 30k miles on it and I don't know if this had been an issue for the previous owner. Sounds like this may be a B58 problem. Have you been back to the dealer since August?

Anyone else having this issue?
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      10-26-2020, 11:33 AM   #17
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I have a 2016 340i and lose quite a bit of coolant on a regular basis. I never get a low coolant warning light but I'd say every 4 weeks or so I have to fill it up from the minimum line. My stealership did a pressure test when I was under warranty and said everything was fine and the loss was normal (no surprise) but I know that's a load of BS so I've got an appointment with EuroMpire in Charlotte on Friday for them to check it out.
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      12-07-2020, 02:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpm5150 View Post
Howdy,
I've got a 2018 440xi with M-tune with 29k miles and about every 4-6 months, I am getting a coolant low warning. Given my previous 435, 535 and 645 never had coolant warnings between services, it got me wondering if there is something either unique about the engine in the 440xi where coolant leaks out super slow as designed or if I have a defect somewhere. I have not noticed any liquids in the garage, albeit, this might be such a small leak that it burns off unnoticeably. I asked the dealer service center about it and they said that was common for turbo engines. I rolled my eyes as my 435 and 535 engines were turbos.

Anyone out there know if this is something to ignore or something to get shop to investigate further on? If ignore, I'm happy to keep topping off, just want some peace of mine.

Cheers, Jeff
Hey there,

I have a 15' 320 xi (95k) and have had to add coolant twice. Once last year at this time and this year today actually. Im not aware of any leaks, engine hasn't ran hot by any means. Curious as well as to where the coolant fluid has been disappearing to.
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      12-07-2020, 02:57 PM   #19
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If you've got a head gasket leak the coolant could be going into one or more cylinders and you'd never know it so long as it wasn't severe.
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