Normal frequency of top-off for cooling system

[JMI]

How often do you guys top-off the cooling system with water. I add about 1 quart of water every 2-4 weeks.

Thanks

Jim

[gmannino]

I add about a quart every month or month and a half.

[Morgenster]

Before my waterpump went I'd top up every 10000km. Now it's holding.

[philbyil]

Level remains nice and steady......:D

[e34.535i.sport]

Level remains nice and steady......:D

+1 since I changed out all of the coolant hoses...

By the way there was a recall on the resevoir cap of some e34's due to it leaking or something - still stands so if you take it to the dealer they can check if yours needed it and whether it has been changed. If not its a new one for free. Worth a check.

[RallyD]

leaky heater core, leaky expansion tank ~1qt / month
now my radiator is seeping at the seams. So I'll fix the expansion leak in a few days, pop on new hoses but the heater core will have to wait until next year when the weather warms up.

[JMI]

+1 since I changed out all of the coolant hoses...

Been looking at the hoses and it appears there has been some weeping of coolant at some time (currently?) where they clamp to the various spots.
Were hoses 1 and 8 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_0787&hg=11&fg=35) difficult? They both pass under the intake manfold. There is a clamp (16) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=17_0001&hg=17&fg=05) that looks like a pain.
Also loos like some weeping past the thermostat housing and gasket (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_1118&hg=11&fg=35). That looks preety straight forword.

TIA

Jim

And I will check out the expansion tank cap.

[bmwrp8]

about a quart a month. I have a leak somewhere but too lazy to look for now:D

[Kalevera]

By the way there was a recall on the resevoir cap of some e34's due to it leaking or something - still stands so if you take it to the dealer they can check if yours needed it and whether it has been changed. If not its a new one for free. Worth a check.


Actually, it was for pretty much every car produced during the era. I've always been told that its sole purpose was to mine data on owners -- nothing particularly wrong with the original caps.

[shogun]

Never needs top up since I replaced heater valves, aux water pump, radiator and most heater hoses. Also good quality new hose clamps of course

[ThoreauHD]

I replaced the radiator and hoses, so I don't touch it. Breaking the seal just lets crap get in there.

[e34.535i.sport]

Been looking at the hoses and it appears there has been some weeping of coolant at some time (currently?) where they clamp to the various spots.
Were hoses 1 and 8 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_0787&hg=11&fg=35) difficult? They both pass under the intake manfold. There is a clamp (16) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=17_0001&hg=17&fg=05) that looks like a pain.
Also loos like some weeping past the thermostat housing and gasket (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_1118&hg=11&fg=35). That looks preety straight forword.

TIA

Jim

And I will check out the expansion tank cap.

Hey there posted I reply earlier but mustn't have stuck...

Anyway you won't have too much of a problem with those two hoses that feed under the manifold as long as you have a good look at that #16 clamp thingy mabob- have a good feel around it and figure out how to undo it before forcing it as they are quite brittle! Not difficult as long as you take your time, feeding them through is fine but make sure they are seated correctly so you can close the clamp thingy afterwards. Also be aware there's a litte tiny pipe by the resevoir too that you can pull off by accident if you aren't careful... you dont need to ask how I know.

The only problem you might have is fitting the hose clamps on the end of the two pipes with the small diameters that finish right by the windshield. These are a serious PITA to get on... get yourself some angled screwdrivers before you start the job and you'll be ok.

Oh and expect some spillage no matter how much you drain the coolant, so get some rags on the alternator and belts etc.

Good luck, let us know how you get on... :D

[e34.535i.sport]

Actually, it was for pretty much every car produced during the era. I've always been told that its sole purpose was to mine data on owners -- nothing particularly wrong with the original caps.

I've never heard that, but stranger things have happened I suppose. When I went in to enquire about mine they didn't want any personal data off me.

[e34.535i.sport]

Been looking at the hoses and it appears there has been some weeping of coolant at some time (currently?) where they clamp to the various spots.
Were hoses 1 and 8 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_0787&hg=11&fg=35) difficult? They both pass under the intake manfold. There is a clamp (16) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=17_0001&hg=17&fg=05) that looks like a pain.
Also loos like some weeping past the thermostat housing and gasket (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD23&mospid=47408&btnr=11_1118&hg=11&fg=35). That looks preety straight forword.

TIA

Jim

And I will check out the expansion tank cap.

Nearly forgot to mention that you should make sure you change all the hoses out at the same time... I just changed one when it went, filled the coolant back up, week later another hose went and no more coolant. This time I got all the other hoses and done the job properly. Cost me two lots of coolant the much more time and inconvenience.

Those two pipes that feed through under the manifold cost a forune at the dealer too... I think one is £50 and the other around £60!! Scandaous!

[JMI]

from the stealer. Had to pay because a new one was "installed" back in 2000. Figured what the hell put a new one in there just to cover all the bases. The expansion, water pump, thermostat have less then 10,000 miles while the radiator has about 40,000 miles.
Don't know the history of the hoses but they have no obvious warning signs. Have a new set of belts to install so sometime in the spring (unless disaster strikes) will do the hoses and belts in one shot. I know a whole set of hoses gets very pricey but what can you do?

Thanks for the excellent tips.

Jim

[whiskychaser]

+1 since I changed out all of the coolant hoses...

By the way there was a recall on the resevoir cap of some e34's due to it leaking or something - still stands so if you take it to the dealer they can check if yours needed it and whether it has been changed. .
Yeah the local dealer where I get parts wrote to me about a recall. I thought yes! they are going to give me a new engine or gearbox or install a bar or something. In fact they just checked if the rad cap had been changed in the last 15 years. Big fkg deal:(

[Jon K]

1 gallon a week

[gale]

Actually, it was for pretty much every car produced during the era. I've always been told that its sole purpose was to mine data on owners -- nothing particularly wrong with the original caps.

The way I remember it there was a problem with early e32's with leaking heater cores. The factory came up with a bandaid fix by issuing lower pressure caps to reduce the number of cars that came in with leaking heater cores under warrantee. The new cap has a flat top profile and the old style had a raised center. I think they lowered the pop off pressure from something like 15 psi down to 13 psi?

[attack eagle]

How often do you guys top-off the cooling system with water. I add about 1 quart of water every 2-4 weeks.

Thanks

Jim
never

[e34.535i.sport]

1 gallon a week

LOL!!!! :D

[artguy]

nada.

Hope it stays like that for a while. :p