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      09-07-2020, 12:02 PM   #1
TENCHI
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Engine Coolant warning...go to Dealer or fill myself?

2019 740ix and i got a low coolant warning. Called up the dealers and they said they would top it off. One advisor was pretty open about and said all they are going to do is add water. The dealers are a bit ways away as well. I am thinking just buying coolant and doing it myself. thoughts?
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      09-07-2020, 01:38 PM   #2
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I would insist the dealer pressurise the system to see if it’s leaking before they just top it up.
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      09-07-2020, 02:20 PM   #3
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Well, you can do it yourself, but if you get the warning on again in a short time, then maybe it is leaking like JustinP said or it is just a sensor problem. Also, check for anomalies like presence of oil residue.

Whatever you do, do take the necessary precautions as recommended in the manual (engine turned off and cold to avoid any spillage or accident but also to fill it to the required level as it is different when hot and cold).
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      09-07-2020, 04:01 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TENCHI View Post
2019 740ix and i got a low coolant warning. Called up the dealers and they said they would top it off. One advisor was pretty open about and said all they are going to do is add water. The dealers are a bit ways away as well. I am thinking just buying coolant and doing it myself. thoughts?
Do both. Buy coolant. Add it (when cold only). If the light doesn't clear, you may have a sensor problem. Check again in a week. If the level is down, you may have a leak and should head for the dealer. Make sure to tell them you added fluid.
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      09-08-2020, 09:18 AM   #5
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Go to the dealer and ask for a pressure test.

I was adding a bit of coolant - 1/2 quart every 5k miles on my 750.
Ended up being 2 turbo coolant lines leaking a little bit. You won't see anything in your garage floor as it leaks onto the engine and quickly evaporates.
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      09-10-2020, 07:19 PM   #6
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thanks guys. I wound up adding a little distilled water until my BMW coolant comes in. dealer wanted $180 to top off since I am not the original owner.
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      09-20-2020, 07:33 AM   #7
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Probably the intercooler coolant lines. On my 2016 I had this warning and the dealer covered replacing all the intercooler coolant lines under warranty. This is a known problem by BMW. The whole thing should be covered, labor, parts, coolant.
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      09-24-2020, 01:06 PM   #8
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There shouldn't be a loss of coolant as part of normal operation. I've had this happen 3 different times under warranty, and each time there was something the dealer had to fix.
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      10-01-2020, 06:52 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by jstewart View Post
Probably the intercooler coolant lines. On my 2016 I had this warning and the dealer covered replacing all the intercooler coolant lines under warranty. This is a known problem by BMW. The whole thing should be covered, labor, parts, coolant.
This happened to me last month, too. They replaced the 4 turbo coolant lines although only 1 was leaking. Covered by warranty.
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      10-29-2020, 06:15 AM   #10
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Going through the same issue, seems to be a known issue, sickness with the EGR according to my mechanic who worked for BMW. But so soon? Top it up first and see if it comes up again.
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      10-31-2020, 06:34 PM   #11
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I had the leaking turbo coolant lines. Bmw wanted 5500.

I threw a fit, then they said 3600 plus tax.

Then I called bmw of North America and got them involved.
Then the dealership came down to 2025 plus tax.

I still won't get it fixed by them. Would rather go to an Indy.
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      11-10-2021, 07:24 PM   #12
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October 2021......I got the low coolant warning again. I took it to a different dealer. they ran some simple tests. All within spec. No leaks. Just normal for coolant to be refilled.


but literally twice in a year?
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      11-11-2021, 12:42 AM   #13
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That's not normal

If you look on the 5 series forums, it is certainly not an unknown issue, had it myself
In my case the 2 reservoirs had very small leaks in them and was replaced under warranty

Look for coolant in the engine bay )use a torch as difficult to see)

You may find warning goes away when engine is warm but comes back from a cold start
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      11-14-2021, 09:04 AM   #14
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Not normal....my 2018 740iX light came on this past summer with only 32,000 miles, since under warranty I took it in. Sure enough they replaced entire coolant system as they determined pressure test failed.
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      11-14-2021, 01:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dc5525 View Post
Not normal....my 2018 740iX light came on this past summer with only 32,000 miles, since under warranty I took it in. Sure enough they replaced entire coolant system as they determined pressure test failed.
32,000 miles? Nice. At least the 7 is becoming more and more reliable!
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      11-15-2021, 04:02 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by 750LiBeemer View Post
32,000 miles? Nice. At least the 7 is becoming more and more reliable!
They also had to replace radiator blinds, whatever the hell those are. Since under warranty I really didn't inquire what may have caused issues at such low miles.
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      11-17-2021, 01:57 PM   #17
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I would say normal but have dealer do it so it is documented for low coolant. These drink oil and coolant all day
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      11-18-2021, 08:49 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by OnlyGerman View Post
I would say normal but have dealer do it so it is documented for low coolant. These drink oil and coolant all day
In my experience, it is not normal to drink oil and coolant all day and if a car is behaving that way it needs dealer attention while in warranty. If the turbo lines were repaired (under the campaign they had), oil consumption should not be a problem, and in a closed cooling system, losses should be minimal if nonexistent. Reporting and documenting any nontrivial losses would be a very good idea especially if your mileage or age of car is getting you close to warranty expiration.
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      04-24-2023, 01:16 AM   #19
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ok...update.

3 yrs later and I have filled up my coolant (no joke) for the 5th time last week. Dealer(s) (i took it to 3 different dealers) could not find a leak. I have no evidence of a leak at home either.

Oh well.
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      04-24-2023, 07:45 AM   #20
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Itīs a common problem though and likely a slow leak.
Just regularly check the return lines for the turbo.
Are they rubber?

(I had that fixed by BMW 3 months ago).
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      04-25-2023, 06:33 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edojac View Post
Itīs a common problem though and likely a slow leak.
Just regularly check the return lines for the turbo.
Are they rubber?

(I had that fixed by BMW 3 months ago).
not sure. I haven't been in the engine bay myself.
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