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Antifreeze
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 10:31 am
by Callum89
Morning chaps,
I have checked my coolant levels this morning and the float isn't popping up when i removed the cap, so I'm guessing I need to top up. How much anti freeze to water do I need to put in ?
Cheers
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:35 am
by lezmtaylor
To be on the safe side I always top up with neat antifreeze ,but have a good search for a leak, especially the coolant tank with the pop up level guide.
They tend to develop leaks after 60,000 miles/ 8-10 years old ( mine did, a leak along the seam, which was hardly discernible ).
The E46 , 3 series is also notorious for this.
Lez
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:57 pm
by X5Sport
And make sure you use the correct type with the right inhibitors in it.
I buy BMW coolant just to be certain.
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 10:51 pm
by henrym3
Must admit I've never heard of anyone using neat coolant, I use 50/50 and on the hydrometer that shows protection down to -35C ideally if your mixing then use distilled water. On another note, initially I kept my coolant at the correct float level. It would use coolant till it was a bit more than visible in the header tank, I topped up X5 used it, done that for 6 months then stopped to see what happened, it's still at that level 18 months later?
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 9:40 am
by lezmtaylor
I only use neat anti freeze for top up purposes, use 50/50 if replacing a large amount of coolant.( I have never had a problem doing this and obviously if frequent top ups are required there is a problem).
Lez
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:01 pm
by ianst0028
scarily neat antifreeze freezes worse than water and causes more damage
also neat antifreeze finds any possible leak better than water or water/ antifreeze mix
Re: Antifreeze
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:52 pm
by X5Sport
Weird innit, but true.
I think the BMW 'coolant' is either a 50/50 or 60/40 mix. I haven't got any left to check on the bottle. Not needed it since selling the X5. Neither of our other BMWs lose anything.