Low coolant warnings

AHall · 07-31-2022, 09:43 PM

Can someone confirm if the coolant tank sensor is replaceable? I noticed sensors for the coolant tank for sale separate from the tank, but I thought the sensor was molded into the tank which would make zero sense.

I have contacted a custom tank manufacturer whom indicated they can manufacture an aluminum tank but will need to determine how to integrate the sensor.

erod550 · 10-04-2022, 12:47 AM

Just got my 2nd low coolant warning in 6 months/2k miles of ownership. First one was literally the day after I brought it home. Thanks to this thread I checked for that residue around the coolant cap and it’s pretty bad. I’ll be calling the dealer tomorrow to get this addressed before my warranty runs out next month.

View post on imgur.com

AHall · 11-09-2022, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod550

Just got my 2nd low coolant warning in 6 months/2k miles of ownership. First one was literally the day after I brought it home. Thanks to this thread I checked for that residue around the coolant cap and it’s pretty bad. I’ll be calling the dealer tomorrow to get this addressed before my warranty runs out next month.

View post on imgur.com

What happened?

Jimmy K · 12-08-2022, 08:55 AM

My car is at the dealer getting Dinan X-pipes installed and I asked them to look at the coolant reservoir.

They are going to replace it under warranty. I hope the new reservoir is designed better.

Maverik259 · 12-08-2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy K

My car is at the dealer getting Dinan X-pipes installed and I asked them to look at the coolant reservoir.

They are going to replace it under warranty. I hope the new reservoir is designed better.

your dealer is cutting your oem exhaust and putting on an x-pipe? did you buy it from them?

Jimmy K · 12-08-2022, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

your dealer is cutting your oem exhaust and putting on an x-pipe? did you buy it from them?

Yes. They’re one of the few Dinan/Carbahn friendly dealers.

Maverik259 · 12-09-2022, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy K

Yes. They’re one of the few Dinan/Carbahn friendly dealers.

Nice

Alberta · 01-03-2023, 11:12 AM

My car is approaching 36.000 miles and I'm wondering if I should replace preventively the cooling tank...

What would be your advice, considering I have had a low cooling fluid message when the car had about 13.000 miles ?
I've added cooling fluid at the time and the warning went away.

It's been fine since then.

AHall · 01-03-2023, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta

My car is approaching 36.000 miles and I'm wondering if I should replace preventively the cooling tank...

What would be your advice, considering I have had a low cooling fluid message when the car had about 13.000 miles ?
I've added cooling fluid at the time and the warning went away.

It's been fine since then.

How often or when was the last time you checked the area around the coolant tank for leaks? Do you open the tank and visually check the level? Have you seen any signs of a leak?

Alberta · 01-04-2023, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHall

How often or when was the last time you checked the area around the coolant tank for leaks? Do you open the tank and visually check the level? Have you seen any signs of a leak?

I've removed the cap and checked the level a few weeks ago, and it was fine.

No signs of coolant leaks in the area of the tank.

My car is soon going in for service and I'm debating if I should replace the tank preventively or not.

Maverik259 · 01-05-2023, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta

I've removed the cap and checked the level a few weeks ago, and it was fine.

No signs of coolant leaks in the area of the tank.

My car is soon going in for service and I'm debating if I should replace the tank preventively or not.

I wouldn’t worry about it unles the dealer will ok good faith (dought it). They don’t catastrophically fail. And like you said, you check it periodically.
I just hit 15k miles on my 2020 and have found white crystal splattering around the engine bay a couple times now with some caked on around the cap. Took pics and cleaned it up. Sent them to my SA and asked him to order me the new part number version for my next oil change in February. Which he is.

Alberta · 02-11-2023, 07:52 AM

I finally had it changed yesterday while my car was in for maintenance.

BMW has certainly improved it and the new part number is this one : 17137889450 and new cap : 17117639021

pbonsalb · 02-11-2023, 08:20 AM

What are the visible signs of improvement?

Alberta · 02-13-2023, 03:17 AM

I have no idea...

pbonsalb · 02-13-2023, 06:42 AM

How do we know BMW has certainly improved it? A part number change after 6 years of production is not uncommon and does not necessarily mean the part is improved.

Alberta · 02-14-2023, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

How do we know BMW has certainly improved it? A part number change after 6 years of production is not uncommon and does not necessarily mean the part is improved.

You're right.

I assume that BMW has improved it, but I have no proof.

Maverik259 · 02-14-2023, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta

I have no idea...

pbonsalb · 02-14-2023, 03:16 PM

Time will tell. Some never have had problems, some have problems after several years and some have problems in a matter of months. We need data from new cars with the new tank and old cars with the new tank as a replacement.

ResIpsaLoquitur · 02-14-2023, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Time will tell. Some never have had problems, some have problems after several years and some have problems in a matter of months. We need data from new cars with the new tank and old cars with the new tank as a replacement.

I think I’m in the minority, but despite how often I see this issue on the forum, two M5s now where I have been fortunate enough to never encounter this problem. Because of what I’ve learned from the forum, I am constantly on the search for coolant residue and leaks; but thankfully, so far, so good.

Actually needing coolant more than normal, though? Definitely. Burning through it fast, but not due to a leak.

Maverik259 · 02-18-2023, 09:23 PM

Just got my annual service on my 2020. 17k miles.

Replaced coolant tank and cap

Replaced spark plugs (found this a bit early)
Replaced brake fluid
Replaced light switch due to flicker

AHall · 02-20-2023, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Just got my annual service on my 2020. 17k miles.

Replaced coolant tank and cap

Replaced spark plugs (found this a bit early)
Replaced brake fluid
Replaced light switch due to flicker

Why did they replace the tank?

Maverik259 · 02-20-2023, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHall

Why did they replace the tank?

I asked them too after seeing dried coolant splattered through the engine bay and around the cap and top seal.
Had to take pictures for proof since I clean it up as quick as possible.

07-31-2022, 09:43 PM	#45
AHall Lieutenant Colonel 982 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 1993 Nissan 240sx Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frisco, Texas iTrader: (0)	Can someone confirm if the coolant tank sensor is replaceable? I noticed sensors for the coolant tank for sale separate from the tank, but I thought the sensor was molded into the tank which would make zero sense. I have contacted a custom tank manufacturer whom indicated they can manufacture an aluminum tank but will need to determine how to integrate the sensor.
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10-04-2022, 12:47 AM	#46
erod550 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Competition Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [9.75]	Just got my 2nd low coolant warning in 6 months/2k miles of ownership. First one was literally the day after I brought it home. Thanks to this thread I checked for that residue around the coolant cap and it’s pretty bad. I’ll be calling the dealer tomorrow to get this addressed before my warranty runs out next month. View post on imgur.com
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12-08-2022, 08:55 AM	#48
Jimmy K Private First Class 123 Rep 105 Posts Drives: '19 M5C Donington Gray/Blk Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Johns Creek, GA iTrader: (0)	My car is at the dealer getting Dinan X-pipes installed and I asked them to look at the coolant reservoir. They are going to replace it under warranty. I hope the new reservoir is designed better. Attached Images
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01-03-2023, 11:12 AM	#52
Alberta Lieutenant Colonel 2035 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: somewhere iTrader: (0)	My car is approaching 36.000 miles and I'm wondering if I should replace preventively the cooling tank... What would be your advice, considering I have had a low cooling fluid message when the car had about 13.000 miles ? I've added cooling fluid at the time and the warning went away. It's been fine since then.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2023, 07:52 AM	#56
Alberta Lieutenant Colonel 2035 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: somewhere iTrader: (0)	I finally had it changed yesterday while my car was in for maintenance. BMW has certainly improved it and the new part number is this one : 17137889450 and new cap : 17117639021 Attached Images
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02-11-2023, 08:20 AM	#57
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	What are the visible signs of improvement?
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02-13-2023, 03:17 AM	#58
Alberta Lieutenant Colonel 2035 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: somewhere iTrader: (0)	I have no idea...
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02-13-2023, 06:42 AM	#59
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	How do we know BMW has certainly improved it? A part number change after 6 years of production is not uncommon and does not necessarily mean the part is improved.
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02-14-2023, 03:16 PM	#62
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Time will tell. Some never have had problems, some have problems after several years and some have problems in a matter of months. We need data from new cars with the new tank and old cars with the new tank as a replacement.
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02-18-2023, 09:23 PM	#64
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	Just got my annual service on my 2020. 17k miles. Replaced coolant tank and cap Replaced spark plugs (found this a bit early) Replaced brake fluid Replaced light switch due to flicker __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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