Low coolant warnings

carseatsm5 · 02-20-2023, 02:33 PM

2020 with about 10K miles. Checked coolant (no warning light) and found it was low with splatter around cap and tank. Made appointment to go into dealer tomorrow.

This is what we’re talking about right? This isn’t just a normal spill from it being refilled (just had my annual maintenance done like a month ago)?

pbonsalb · 02-20-2023, 02:49 PM

Yes, that one has not been sealing well. Could be the cap or maybe the tank is cracking. If enough coolant drips, it can get on the injectors, coils and wiring underneath and cause issues over time. Better to check periodically and act as soon as you see the white residue.

carseatsm5 · 02-22-2023, 11:24 AM

SA updated me this morning. Confirmed leak from the expansion tank. Replacement part arrives tomorrow.

Glad for the forum because I never even had a low coolant warning, just checked out of precaution.

Ropes · 02-22-2023, 11:01 PM

You might want to consider changing your spark plugs and coils too. The coolant leak from an expansion will get all over them and can cause issues.

carseatsm5 · 02-23-2023, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropes

You might want to consider changing your spark plugs and coils too. The coolant leak from an expansion will get all over them and can cause issues.

Good idea. Will flag.

carseatsm5 · 02-25-2023, 03:18 PM

There is a service bulletin for this issue, updated in September.

https://www.tsbsearch.com/BMW/SI-B17-02-22/888

dcohen13 · 03-14-2023, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

SA updated me this morning. Confirmed leak from the expansion tank. Replacement part arrives tomorrow.

Glad for the forum because I never even had a low coolant warning, just checked out of precaution.

Funny, my light came on and I have the same residue around mine. Texted my buddy at Sterling BMW and he said: "Looks like expansion tank is leaking. I see that a lot, bring it in, covered under warranty."

Looks like this is very common! I am at 29,XXX miles. 2019 M5 Comp.

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-14-2023, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcohen13

Funny, my light came on and I have the same residue around mine. Texted my buddy at Sterling BMW and he said: "Looks like expansion tank is leaking. I see that a lot, bring it in, covered under warranty."

Looks like this is very common! I am at 29,XXX miles. 2019 M5 Comp.

Extremely common! Probably the most common thing that fails on these cars. It’s always the number one answer when someone newer gets on this forum and asks, “I am looking at a preowned M5, what should I be looking out for?”

dcohen13 · 03-15-2023, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResIpsaLoquitur

Extremely common! Probably the most common thing that fails on these cars. It’s always the number one answer when someone newer gets on this forum and asks, “I am looking at a preowned M5, what should I be looking out for?”

thank you!!

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-15-2023, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcohen13

thank you!!

You’re welcome!

dcohen13 · 03-15-2023, 05:14 PM

Took the car in, grabbed a loaner, and the dealer finished in 2 hours. Was an easy fix.

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-15-2023, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcohen13

Took the car in, grabbed a loaner, and the dealer finished in 2 hours. Was an easy fix.

Awesome! Glad to hear it.

hookson · 03-30-2023, 09:39 PM

If your tank fails that’s how your injectors will most likely look like.

LASpartan · 04-05-2023, 09:54 AM

I got a low coolant warning yesterday right after I noticed a large puddle under my car. I am assuming they are connected. Brought the car right into the dealer and they gave me a 430i loaner (I hate that car--just so ugly and you realize how well the M5 drives when you drive the 430i).

LASpartan · 04-05-2023, 10:56 AM

Dealership called me and said something hit the actual cooling unit and it is not covered under warranty and it costs $2,300. Can anyone advise if I am being screwed?

It is the Right Side Auxiliary Low Temperature Cooler that has a puncture and is leaking.

pbonsalb · 04-05-2023, 11:12 AM

Dealership will usually be the highest price. You could probably buy a used one on eBay for $250, buy a couple of gallons of G12 and distilled water for $50 and change it in 3 hours, but I have not actually done the job so I am guesstimating. Independent shop would usually be less than the dealer.

LASpartan · 04-05-2023, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Dealership will usually be the highest price. You could probably buy a used one on eBay for $250, buy a couple of gallons of G12 and distilled water for $50 and change it in 3 hours, but I have not actually done the job so I am guesstimating. Independent shop would usually be less than the dealer.

I need my car and don't have the ability to have it towed, etc. I am just paying it and moving on. I also can't find anything regarding this being a warranty claim so it's just unfortunate.

AHall · 04-05-2023, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LASpartan

I need my car and don't have the ability to have it towed, etc. I am just paying it and moving on. I also can't find anything regarding this being a warranty claim so it's just unfortunate.

For $2,300 there must be something more than replacing that tank. Was there collateral damage? What could have possibly hit the tank under the hood. I assume this is the passenger side tank.

BobsM3Coupe · 04-05-2023, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHall

For $2,300 there must be something more than replacing that tank. Was there collateral damage? What could have possibly hit the tank under the hood. I assume this is the passenger side tank.

I believe he means the radiator on that side got struck by something. They are not cheap.

pbonsalb · 04-05-2023, 08:53 PM

They are relatively cheap. But dealers and dealer labor make anything expensive.
https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...or-17118620207

Maverik259 · 04-07-2023, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LASpartan

I need my car and don't have the ability to have it towed, etc. I am just paying it and moving on. I also can't find anything regarding this being a warranty claim so it's just unfortunate.

Definitely not warranty if it got hit. More like insurance. If you wanted to go that route.
But too late obviously.

The5rivers · 10-31-2023, 09:05 PM

2021 M5C, 13.7K miles. I had the "engine coolant level low" error message pop up after a cold start tonight for about 4 seconds that went away on its own. Temp outside was 34 degrees. I drove away and the error message didn't come back. Stopped and started a few more times while running errands and still nothing.

I'm going to check out the fluid level tomorrow and see if it's actually low but made an appointment with my dealer on Monday to check for a leak and going to show them the TSB and probably just push to get it replaced under warranty.

02-20-2023, 02:33 PM	#67
carseatsm5 Lieutenant 838 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 2020 M5 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	2020 with about 10K miles. Checked coolant (no warning light) and found it was low with splatter around cap and tank. Made appointment to go into dealer tomorrow. This is what we’re talking about right? This isn’t just a normal spill from it being refilled (just had my annual maintenance done like a month ago)? Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2023, 02:49 PM	#68
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)	Yes, that one has not been sealing well. Could be the cap or maybe the tank is cracking. If enough coolant drips, it can get on the injectors, coils and wiring underneath and cause issues over time. Better to check periodically and act as soon as you see the white residue.
	Appreciate 1 carseatsm5837.50 Quote

02-22-2023, 11:24 AM	#69
carseatsm5 Lieutenant 838 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 2020 M5 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	SA updated me this morning. Confirmed leak from the expansion tank. Replacement part arrives tomorrow. Glad for the forum because I never even had a low coolant warning, just checked out of precaution.
	Appreciate 2 dcohen13682.00 imperfectluck426.50 Quote

02-22-2023, 11:01 PM	#70
Ropes First Lieutenant 222 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 CS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	You might want to consider changing your spark plugs and coils too. The coolant leak from an expansion will get all over them and can cause issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2023, 03:18 PM	#72
carseatsm5 Lieutenant 838 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 2020 M5 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	There is a service bulletin for this issue, updated in September. https://www.tsbsearch.com/BMW/SI-B17-02-22/888
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2023, 05:14 PM	#77
dcohen13 Lieutenant 682 Rep 527 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Took the car in, grabbed a loaner, and the dealer finished in 2 hours. Was an easy fix.
	Appreciate 1 ResIpsaLoquitur4092.00 Quote

03-30-2023, 09:39 PM	#79
hookson Private First Class 82 Rep 127 Posts Drives: M4 2015, M5 2019 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Aventura, FL iTrader: (0)	If your tank fails that’s how your injectors will most likely look like. Attached Images
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04-05-2023, 09:54 AM	#80
LASpartan Private 104 Rep 93 Posts Drives: '21 BMW M5 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I got a low coolant warning yesterday right after I noticed a large puddle under my car. I am assuming they are connected. Brought the car right into the dealer and they gave me a 430i loaner (I hate that car--just so ugly and you realize how well the M5 drives when you drive the 430i).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2023, 10:56 AM	#81
LASpartan Private 104 Rep 93 Posts Drives: '21 BMW M5 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Dealership called me and said something hit the actual cooling unit and it is not covered under warranty and it costs $2,300. Can anyone advise if I am being screwed? It is the Right Side Auxiliary Low Temperature Cooler that has a puncture and is leaking. Last edited by LASpartan; 04-05-2023 at 11:03 AM..
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04-05-2023, 11:12 AM	#82
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)	Dealership will usually be the highest price. You could probably buy a used one on eBay for $250, buy a couple of gallons of G12 and distilled water for $50 and change it in 3 hours, but I have not actually done the job so I am guesstimating. Independent shop would usually be less than the dealer.
	Appreciate 1 LASpartan104.00 Quote

04-05-2023, 08:53 PM	#86
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)	They are relatively cheap. But dealers and dealer labor make anything expensive. https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...or-17118620207
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2023, 09:05 PM	#88
The5rivers First Lieutenant 314 Rep 342 Posts Drives: 21 M5C, 22 X3MC, 24 X7 40i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	2021 M5C, 13.7K miles. I had the "engine coolant level low" error message pop up after a cold start tonight for about 4 seconds that went away on its own. Temp outside was 34 degrees. I drove away and the error message didn't come back. Stopped and started a few more times while running errands and still nothing. I'm going to check out the fluid level tomorrow and see if it's actually low but made an appointment with my dealer on Monday to check for a leak and going to show them the TSB and probably just push to get it replaced under warranty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote