Low coolant message

Lameboy · 02-15-2019, 04:48 PM

Hi, this last week I've had a low coolant message pop up sometimes on a cold start, I usually drive to wherever I need to go, and when I start it up on the way back the message is gone. I could drive the rest of the day with no issues. Should I be worried? Is the coolant actually low or is a sensor or something just messed up? I'm doing a decently long drive tomorrow and want to make sure I'm not harming my car. The car is an F32 428i if that matters. Thanks!

Korvo · 02-15-2019, 04:51 PM

Have you checked the coolant container?

sspade · 02-15-2019, 04:59 PM

Greetings fellow HWY 50 traveler

I would check the expansion tank (when its cold) as mentioned above.

If its below the fill line then your going to want to add.

If its above the fill line I would leave it alone and monitor the situation for the next few hundred miles.

Billfitz · 02-15-2019, 05:11 PM

When the engine is hot the coolant level in the expansion tank goes up, when it cools down the level goes down. I guess you don't have enough in the expansion tank to keep the level above the sensor when it's cold, but it's enough when it's hot.

simonelwell · 02-15-2019, 05:18 PM

I had a coolant leak in my 335 a while back (since sold). The dealer charged me an eye-wateringly large sum to change the thermostat. That didn't solve the problem - which turned out to be a leak
Moral - check the simple cheap things first - has your coolant tank / hoses sprung a leak?

02-15-2019, 04:48 PM	#1
Lameboy Private First Class 33 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Low coolant message Hi, this last week I've had a low coolant message pop up sometimes on a cold start, I usually drive to wherever I need to go, and when I start it up on the way back the message is gone. I could drive the rest of the day with no issues. Should I be worried? Is the coolant actually low or is a sensor or something just messed up? I'm doing a decently long drive tomorrow and want to make sure I'm not harming my car. The car is an F32 428i if that matters. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-15-2019, 04:51 PM	#2
Korvo Respect My Authoritah 368 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (2)	Have you checked the coolant container? __________________ 2014 335xi M-Sport 6MT: Estoril Blue II, MHD Stage 2+ , Dinan Exhaust, Dinan CAI, ER Catted DP, ER Chargepipe, AA FMIC.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 04:59 PM	#3
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,456 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	Greetings fellow HWY 50 traveler I would check the expansion tank (when its cold) as mentioned above. If its below the fill line then your going to want to add. If its above the fill line I would leave it alone and monitor the situation for the next few hundred miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 05:11 PM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,080 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	When the engine is hot the coolant level in the expansion tank goes up, when it cools down the level goes down. I guess you don't have enough in the expansion tank to keep the level above the sensor when it's cold, but it's enough when it's hot.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 05:18 PM	#5
simonelwell Private First Class 56 Rep 103 Posts Drives: X5 (G05) 30d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Essex, England iTrader: (0)	I had a coolant leak in my 335 a while back (since sold). The dealer charged me an eye-wateringly large sum to change the thermostat. That didn't solve the problem - which turned out to be a leak Moral - check the simple cheap things first - has your coolant tank / hoses sprung a leak?
	Appreciate 0 Quote