BMW Coolant?

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 8:53 pm

So I've got a coolant leak and without giving it much thought, I've added 1-2 quarts of orange (not sure of name) coolant and distilled water (50/50 mix). I've since read that I should be using BMW's BLUE coolant. At $20 a gallon, is this stuff really worth it?

Also, the car has 90k on it. Should I replace anything while I'm replacing the coolant this weekend? Thermostat, coolant pump?

Thanks!

phil

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

well. e36s are known for not so great cooling systems. the radiator necks and plastic tstat housing get brittle w/ age and break and the water pumps from certain years shatter. i think you're safe in '99 though waterpumpwise.

if i were you id confirm the date the water pumps were improved to the new composite pumps and then replace the tstat housing w/ an aluminum one while youre in there.

also check your rear shock mounts if you havent already.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

PhilFausz wrote:

So I've got a coolant leak and without giving it much thought, I've added 1-2 quarts of orange (not sure of name) coolant and distilled water (50/50 mix). I've since read that I should be using BMW's BLUE coolant. At $20 a gallon, is this stuff really worth it?

Also, the car has 90k on it. Should I replace anything while I'm replacing the coolant this weekend? Thermostat, coolant pump?

Thanks!

phil

BMW coolant is pretty cheap insurance for the "unknown". If you find another NAP free coolant, chances are it will cost about the same as the BMW stuff anyways. This post, quoted from another forum, pretty much sums up the results of my internet-research about coolant in BMWs:

Quote:

It's obviously best to use BMW's original coolant (BMW Anti Freeze). BMW's coolant is blue in color and contains no Nitrates, Amines or Phosphates (NAP free). BMW told me that it's real important that the coolant is NAP free. BMW's coolant do contain silicates (which prevents corrosion/pitting of aluminium parts).

BMW's coolant is based on Mono Ethylen Glycol (so are most other coolants for automotive use).

It seems that there are two kinds of coolant on the market. The blue or green NAP free G11 type, which contains silicates (properly similar to BMW Anti freeze). The other type is the red NAP free G12 (long life coolant), which is completely free of silicates (properly not suitable for BMW). VW and Audi specifies the G12 type for their never engine.

It's not a good idea mix coolants as the chemical additives might interact and disable each other (might even do damage in worst case).

Sounds like it's time for you to flush it. You asked for recommendations -- here is what I did w/ my M3 at 85k. This was all preventative. You could skip any/all of it but personally I don't like being stranded and I don't ever want to dump coolant on a track!

- New OEM radiator
- Thermostat
- Water pump
- New T-stat housing
- T-stat housing gasket (looks like a rubber band)
- BMW coolant

I sourced everything from BFI except the coolant which was from Leith for about $17 / gal IIRC. In the past I only bought BMW dealer water pumps after having a problems with OEM type stuff, but the E36 water pump from BFI (worldpac) looked fine so I used it. Al T-stat housing is a good idea, but the plastic will be fine for 100k. Check the drive belts, if there isn't any cracking don't worry about it. BMWs have great coolant hoses, no need to replace until at least 150k.

Oh yeah, and be careful with the radiator mounting brackets - they are tricky. You will also need a narrow 32mm wrench and preferrably a dead0blow hammer to knock it off -- left threads. If you have access to the "special tool" even better. Also be sure to have a Bentley manual and follow the instructions in there -- they are good.

Some may say "get an Al radiator", but the plastic ones are fine for 100k, so if you keep the car until 190k just plan to replace it again.

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 11:47 pm

What or who is BFI?

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 7:39 am

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Black Forest Industries (Adam Ligon)

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue May 30, 2006 10:36 pm

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Phil, Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion. steve

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

steve remchak wrote:

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Phil, Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion. steve

Just to make sure that everyone is clear:

BFI = Black Forest Industries = Who I use for repair/maintenance parts 95% of the time. Primarily VW shop which services many other makes, and is a Worldpac distributor. Gets great pricing on common replacement parts, often same day. Adam Ligon is owner, "former" club member (you didn't pay your dues did you Adam?)

Dave's Automotive = BMW focused (?) maint and repair shop which has come recommended to me from several people. Never met the guys there. Do they sell parts too?

I wouldn't really have any opinion about how well either place does on repair/maintenance, as I haven't paid someone for repair, maintenance, or upgrades in a long, long time. But I have spent more than most on tools and my garage

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 8:42 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Phil, Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion. steve

Just to make sure that everyone is clear:

BFI = Black Forest Industries = Who I use for repair/maintenance parts 95% of the time. Primarily VW shop which services many other makes, and is a Worldpac distributor. Gets great pricing on common replacement parts, often same day. Adam Ligon is owner, "former" club member (you didn't pay your dues did you Adam?)

Dave's Automotive = BMW focused (?) maint and repair shop which has come recommended to me from several people. Never met the guys there. Do they sell parts too?

I wouldn't really have any opinion about how well either place does on repair/maintenance, as I haven't paid someone for repair, maintenance, or upgrades in a long, long time. But I have spent more than most on tools and my garage :)

i change my own oil. most everything else is over my head. Dave is the guy if you need mechanical service, racing upgrades. he is not quite as diverse as Adam's shop. either one would do you right Phil.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

steve remchak wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Phil, Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion. steve

Just to make sure that everyone is clear:

BFI = Black Forest Industries = Who I use for repair/maintenance parts 95% of the time. Primarily VW shop which services many other makes, and is a Worldpac distributor. Gets great pricing on common replacement parts, often same day. Adam Ligon is owner, "former" club member (you didn't pay your dues did you Adam?)

Dave's Automotive = BMW focused (?) maint and repair shop which has come recommended to me from several people. Never met the guys there. Do they sell parts too?

I wouldn't really have any opinion about how well either place does on repair/maintenance, as I haven't paid someone for repair, maintenance, or upgrades in a long, long time. But I have spent more than most on tools and my garage

i change my own oil. most everything else is over my head. Dave is the guy if you need mechanical service, racing upgrades. he is not quite as diverse as Adam's shop. either one would do you right Phil.

Right ... And what I was trying to do was recommend BFI for sourcing parts, and that I have no recommendation at all for where to get service done. Please don't make it look like I am.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

Quote:

Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion.

ah, just what i was looking for. i need to find someone w/ an SRS tool

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 7:56 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

PhilFausz wrote:

What or who is BFI?

Phil, Dave's Automotive. club sponsor. BMW e36 guru in my opinion. steve

Just to make sure that everyone is clear:

BFI = Black Forest Industries = Who I use for repair/maintenance parts 95% of the time. Primarily VW shop which services many other makes, and is a Worldpac distributor. Gets great pricing on common replacement parts, often same day. Adam Ligon is owner, "former" club member (you didn't pay your dues did you Adam?)

Dave's Automotive = BMW focused (?) maint and repair shop which has come recommended to me from several people. Never met the guys there. Do they sell parts too?

I wouldn't really have any opinion about how well either place does on repair/maintenance, as I haven't paid someone for repair, maintenance, or upgrades in a long, long time. But I have spent more than most on tools and my garage :)

i change my own oil. most everything else is over my head. Dave is the guy if you need mechanical service, racing upgrades. he is not quite as diverse as Adam's shop. either one would do you right Phil.

Right ... And what I was trying to do was recommend BFI for sourcing parts, and that I have no recommendation at all for where to get service done. Please don't make it look like I am.

????? awful touchy honey. if i was implying something i apologize. i meant nothing negative Mike. steve

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

steve remchak wrote:

????? awful touchy honey. if i was implying something i apologize. i meant nothing negative Mike. steve

No problem Steve. But if you keep calling me honey I might get touchy. Er, I mean not touchy!!!!

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