Discussions about BMW vehicles

July 22, 2010

E36 BMW 328 coolant problem . . .

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 5:39 am

1998  auto .

the "check coolant light comes on , and the coolant is gone.

i drive and then like magic the coolant is right below the fill line.
got to be more than the hot engine bringing the collant back up.
and then sometimes the coolant is fine when cold.

any ideas ?

thanks

2 Comments »

  1. Possibly air in your cooling system?

    "news" <chach…@chaching.net> wrote in message

    news:RFUuc.9493$bD4.3523@nwrdny02.gnilink.net…

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > 1998  auto .

    > the "check coolant light comes on , and the coolant is gone.

    > i drive and then like magic the coolant is right below the fill line.
    > got to be more than the hot engine bringing the collant back up.
    > and then sometimes the coolant is fine when cold.

    > any ideas ?

    > thanks

    Comment by admin — July 22, 2010 @ 5:39 am

  2. news wrote:
    > 1998  auto .

    > the "check coolant light comes on , and the coolant is gone.

    > i drive and then like magic the coolant is right below the fill line.
    > got to be more than the hot engine bringing the collant back up.
    > and then sometimes the coolant is fine when cold.

    > any ideas ?

    > thanks

    As previous poster has said, most likely an air bubble.  Just installed a
    new radiator in my 97, so here is how I bled it.

    1.  Fill to Kalt line with engine cold.

    2.  Start engine and warm to normal temp – either at idle or go around
    block

    3.  Remove *both* filler cap and air-bleed screw on top of reservoir.
    *Be careful* – release the pressure slowly.  Coolant should not spill
    out, or anything *unless* you have some *real problem*.  Safest way is
    simply idle from cold engine with both filler cap and air-bleed off,
    while adding coolant as necessary when the thermostat starts to open and
    sucks from the reservoir.

    4.  Slowly pour in coolant *above* Kalt line until *no* bubbles come from
    air-bleed.

    This step is important.  You cannot get the air out until you fill it
    almost to the top.  Go slowly, and carefully watch the air-bleed.  When
    you are done, you should see coolant present at the hole, and no bubbles.

    5.  Install filler cap and tighten air-bleed screw firmly enough to seal
    the O-ring.

    6.  Shut the engine off (or go for a drive now)  After engine cools down
    (overnite) the coolant level should essentially be at the Kalt level.

    Hope that helps.

    Frank

    Comment by admin — July 22, 2010 @ 5:39 am

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