E38 Coolant Recommendation

[mistertripps]

I got a coolant level warning this afternoon and need to know if there is an "over-the-counter" coolant I can use to get me through until GCR fixes my coolant leak next week. I've read a lot of stuff saying to only use BMW coolant. Any ideas?

[Philip]

P-to-tha-Izzem.

[88e28]

I had a leak but still filled it with BMW coolant. Because when they drain the coolant to fix the leak they can't get it all out. Then when they fill it the whole engine is filled with BMW coolant.

[Philip]

True! If you switch from BMW to something else you need to completely drain the system first. I forgot that part.

[Infidel]

lots of people run tap water through it till it's clear with the engine running, then completely drain, and put 50/50 mix distilled water and any alum safe coolant in there. My car VW has this pink stuff that if you mix it with, let's say, the green stuff, it forms into some goo.

Another thing to do is test your coolant with a hydrometer and see if you even need more coolant, you could get by with distilled water!

[88e28]

lots of people run tap water through it till it's clear with the engine running, then completely drain, and put 50/50 mix distilled water and any alum safe coolant in there. My car VW has this pink stuff that if you mix it with, let's say, the green stuff, it forms into some goo.

Another thing to do is test your coolant with a hydrometer and see if you even need more coolant, you could get by with distilled water!

On a BMW when the low coolant light comes on, You're low on coolant. He also has a leak. You can also only use BMW coolant to get the life out of the engine.

[GCR]

I got a coolant level warning this afternoon and need to know if there is an "over-the-counter" coolant I can use to get me through until GCR fixes my coolant leak next week. I've read a lot of stuff saying to only use BMW coolant. Any ideas?

Tim,

I don't think we're going to have really cold temps before Wednesday. Top it off with distilled water. If it doesn't need more than a quart or so, you won't have any problems with freezing.

Alan

[kendogg]

On a BMW when the low coolant light comes on, You're low on coolant. He also has a leak. You can also only use BMW coolant to get the life out of the engine.


This is also completely false and incorrect. Zerex G-05 is very, very close in chemical composition to BMW blue (G-48), works fantastically in our cars, is half the price, and available over the counter (any local one, not the one you bend over at the dealer for).

I've been waiting for somebody to post this mantra to allow me to post this link :)

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/838773/site_id/1#import

[mistertripps]

Tim,

I don't think we're going to have really cold temps before Wednesday. Top it off with distilled water. If it doesn't need more than a quart or so, you won't have any problems with freezing.

Alan

Too late. I'd already bought a coolant made for aluminum engines (based on another informed suggestion) before you got on here. I didn't know you'd be back last night or I would have waited. It didn't take a lot to fill it - probably a quart as you said.

[Infidel]

This is also completely false and incorrect. Zerex G-05 is very, very close in chemical composition to BMW blue (G-48), works fantastically in our cars, is half the price, and available over the counter (any local one, not the one you bend over at the dealer for).

I've been waiting for somebody to post this mantra to allow me to post this link :)

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/838773/site_id/1#import[/B]

This shows that he knows what he's talking about. alot of good information from this site.

[KAAMAcat]

Im pretty sure that an engine-is-and-engine, but with respect to aluminum, using a aluminum safe coolant like DexCool would work fine, although not to buy-into the 5yr claim they have. (In fact its NOT a good idea to leave coolant in and not change it as some talk about with the "lifetime" stuff. Many manufactures have lawsuits against them with the crazy claims, failures are taking place....etc). I'm thinking its the same basic stuff that Ken is talking about. I do like the Zerex stuff also.

BMW, as with their oils, its all about viscosity, engine clearences...etc. No need to bend-over and pay the crazy prices.

On a side-note.............the loss of coolant, are you talking an external loss, or internal? (just wondering if anyone here could help out)

[Catmint]

Thanks. I think GCR is gonna make sure she's singing right when I pick her up tomorrow. That beige streak you see from Roswell to Douglasville tomorrow evening will be me....:icon18:

Yeah, and that screaming you hear from the passenger seat is going to be me. :icon26:

[kendogg]

Im pretty sure that an engine-is-and-engine, but with respect to aluminum, using a aluminum safe coolant like DexCool would work fine, although not to buy-into the 5yr claim they have. (In fact its NOT a good idea to leave coolant in and not change it as some talk about with the "lifetime" stuff. Many manufactures have lawsuits against them with the crazy claims, failures are taking place....etc). I'm thinking its the same basic stuff that Ken is talking about. I do like the Zerex stuff also.

BMW, as with their oils, its all about viscosity, engine clearences...etc. No need to bend-over and pay the crazy prices.

On a side-note.............the loss of coolant, are you talking an external loss, or internal? (just wondering if anyone here could help out)

OMG, Please don't ever recommend DEXcool - for anything. It's far from safe. Check the classaction lawsuit against GM for more info.

[KAAMAcat]

Ken.......100% agree....I should have worded it different. I think its the fact that its still engine safe, but GREATLY mis-advertised for the life expectency of the product. (5yr..........lifetime........yadda yadda yadda). I'm a believer in a full flush at-least-at 50K (at the latest)...... and moreso come 30K. (for the low cost, its peace-of-mind). Yea.... GM has a boatload of lawsuits against them about that.

I've probably used the Prestone stuff exclusivly now.......... where they had two products before, one being aluminum safe.....now all are. (issues I had read from Porsche about 5yrs ago when I had my 81' 928, and having head failures from the AF type used).

I noticed you had bobstheoilguy website............that is a great site. I bet we could have a session on oil filters just from that one. You'll probably find a lot of diehard "brandX" fans think that site just-aint-so........

[kendogg]

Ken.......100% agree....I should have worded it different. I think its the fact that its still engine safe, but GREATLY mis-advertised for the life expectency of the product. (5yr..........lifetime........yadda yadda yadda). I'm a believer in a full flush at-least-at 50K (at the latest)...... and moreso come 30K. (for the low cost, its peace-of-mind). Yea.... GM has a boatload of lawsuits against them about that.

I've probably used the Prestone stuff exclusivly now.......... where they had two products before, one being aluminum safe.....now all are. (issues I had read from Porsche about 5yrs ago when I had my 81' 928, and having head failures from the AF type used).

I noticed you had bobstheoilguy website............that is a great site. I bet we could have a session on oil filters just from that one. You'll probably find a lot of diehard "brandX" fans think that site just-aint-so........

Bob, you're right, DEXCool is extremely mis-represented at the very least. I've never looked into Prestone much, perhaps I should??

BITOG is an awesome site, with so much info it's not even funny. Anything and everything you could ever want to know about automotive fluids and filtration, and alot of info from the top experts in the country (Terry Dyson to name one). I wish I could understand what goes on there half the time, haha. I try to keep up as best I can though :)