My car is giving me the warning message "Coolant Level - See Owner's Manual". The coolant level seems to be fine, when the engine is at its operating temperature the level is halfway between the min and max. I assume that the sensor is faulty, but I just wanted to check if there's anything else I should be checking.
E34s are notorious for having a cooling leak at the rear left or the engine bay, there`s a pump, something to do with the heat exchanger for the interior.
Park over some dry tarmac for a couple of hours. If there`s a drip, seems to be coming from a point about 30cm in front of the windscreen on the left hand side of the car (viewed from inside the car), then it`s that.
About £140 to have done, £100 + labour.
You`ll notice it in when engine cold, fill the coolant tank to max. Drive for a few days. If it bongs coolant level again, and there`s no oil in the water or vice versa, yet the coolant level has fallen, then that`s most likely what it is.
Otherwise, probably sensor.
Ivan.
__________________
"Never enter Karussell when on the brakes! I have gone round there on the roof, I know what I'm talking about." ~ Sabine Schmitz
Last edited by IvanDias; 6th September 2003 at 21:10.
It's probably the aux pump above the heat x changer matrix. It's a bastard to get to but its under that plastic square which incidentally rips off by pulling directly up.
This pump only kicks in on start-up to help get coolant moving round the head.
The problem is BMW in their absolute stupidity put a rubber bleed seal on the pumps housing. Problem is this seal WILL fail over time and as the system is under pressure, pissess fluid out when the engine is on. To the trackday guys if you've not changed this pump in the last few years (its about £80) do so!
I was luck enough to be just pulling out the drive with a cold block on a December day. Within seconds ALL and I mean ALL the coolant went, effectively pumped out.
Regards
M5 Powered
__________________
1995 M5 Limited Edition (02/50)Rosso Red
Pilot Sport 2 Rubber
Valentine One With Conceal
Twin Head LRC100 IR Jammer System
Origin Blue B2 GPS
Last edited by M5 powered; 6th September 2003 at 21:27.
The coolant doesn't seem to be going down, but as suggested I will park on some dry ground and see if I can find a leak.
If I top up the coolant, do I have to follow the manual and do all that stuff about bleeding the air from the valve and using an air pump to pressurise the system, or can I just take off the cap, top it up then replace the cap?
The car only gives me the warning every now and again, whether warm or cold, so I guess this indicates a dodgy sensor/loose connection?
I'm sure you know this but be sure not to open the coolant expansion tank when it is still hot. I would just park her where you want to do your test for leaks then the next day top up the expansion tank. Your expansion tank only needs to be pressurized if the coolant temp gauge is above the 1/3 mark I belive (double check your manual).
I would also check the wiring to the level sensor as well as the connection.
I thought I have the same problem but found out theres a leak on that valve box where the distribution hoses were connected. Apparently those what they called "crimp clamp" lost its grip and thats where the leak coming from. I replaced it with std worm clamps and it solved the problem.
I wonder if anyone had problem with those crimp clamps aside from where I mentioned?
Coming back from a long trip about 600 miles, I also noticed, a fan like sound coming from the glove compartment. But when I pop the hood the sound become louder and it is actually coming from the ECU compartment. is this sound normal, is there a fan inside that compartment, will it go away or there is a problem in the ECU unit- anyone knows?
Brandon
Linear Mode
