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      07-25-2021, 10:50 AM   #1
doughboy650gc
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Low coolant warning at startup

I get a low coolant level warning at startup but I'll shut the car off and the message never comes back...I checked the front Reservoir and it's at the full mark any suggestions? Thank you in advance
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      07-25-2021, 11:22 AM   #2
Walt White Coupe
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Read thread: https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1711023

Look at post #6 and check the drivers side filler tube.
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      07-25-2021, 11:31 AM   #3
doughboy650gc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt White Coupe View Post
Read thread: https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1711023

Look at post #6 and check the drivers side filler tube.
Thank you sir will do!
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      07-26-2021, 10:03 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
I get a low coolant level warning at startup but I'll shut the car off and the message never comes back...I checked the front Reservoir and it's at the full mark any suggestions? Thank you in advance
Ditto Walt...the front reservoir is for the charge air coolers and DOES NOT have a level sensor. So if you're getting a warning...you need to check the engine cooling circuit. It's reservoir filler neck is at the rear of the engine bay...and the reservoir itself is located between the front fender.

Depending on your model year/build date...the filler cap for the engine coolant circuit can be a plain black cap (like in pic below)...or it could have some writing on it like the cap for the charge air circuit.
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      07-28-2021, 08:46 AM   #5
doughboy650gc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
I get a low coolant level warning at startup but I'll shut the car off and the message never comes back...I checked the front Reservoir and it's at the full mark any suggestions? Thank you in advance
Ditto Walt...the front reservoir is for the charge air coolers and DOES NOT have a level sensor. So if you're getting a warning...you need to check the engine cooling circuit. It's reservoir filler neck is at the rear of the engine bay...and the reservoir itself is located between the front fender.

Depending on your model year/build date...the filler cap for the engine coolant circuit can be a plain black cap (like in pic below)...or it could have some writing on it like the cap for the charge air circuit.
Thank you for the descriptive picture!
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      07-28-2021, 09:26 AM   #6
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      07-28-2021, 12:18 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
So I opened the fill tube on the driver's side before starting the car up and it made a vacuum sound when loosening up the cap. I saw coolant visible from the top so I closed it and fired the car up and now no more low coolant message. Could've it been air bubble/pocket? Had a coolant flush done at the dealer a year ago...
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      07-28-2021, 02:01 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
So I opened the fill tube on the driver's side before starting the car up and it made a vacuum sound when loosening up the cap. I saw coolant visible from the top so I closed it and fired the car up and now no more low coolant message. Could've it been air bubble/pocket? Had a coolant flush done at the dealer a year ago...
Don't assume it is not low simply because you can see coolant down the tube. You can see coolant down to 8" or more. The proper depth is 4.3 to 6.3". Now you may think "filling a skinny tube from 8" up to 6" would only take a few tablespoons." Not so. The inlet and outlet lines to the whole system are between those two distances. Going from 8" to 6" might take most of a quart.
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      07-28-2021, 03:01 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie55 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
So I opened the fill tube on the driver's side before starting the car up and it made a vacuum sound when loosening up the cap. I saw coolant visible from the top so I closed it and fired the car up and now no more low coolant message. Could've it been air bubble/pocket? Had a coolant flush done at the dealer a year ago...
Don't assume it is not low simply because you can see coolant down the tube. You can see coolant down to 8" or more. The proper depth is 4.3 to 6.3". Now you may think "filling a skinny tube from 8" up to 6" would only take a few tablespoons." Not so. The inlet and outlet lines to the whole system are between those two distances. Going from 8" to 6" might take most of a quart.
True. I'll snag a jug and add some just to be safe thank you once again
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      07-28-2021, 03:14 PM   #10
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Try to fashion some type of tool that measures the proper distance down from the top. I use a small pipe cleaner and I bent the tip to make a hook so that if it "accidentally" slipped out of my hand etc...that it wouldn't find itself at the bottom of the fill tube! Then measured down 160mm (and made a mark)...then measured down 110mm (and made a mark).

When I stick this tool down into the filler tube and pull it back out...if it is wet between those two marks...then I know that I'm at the proper fill. If is below the 160mm mark...then I would need to top up the coolant.

Its simple to make a tool...you just need something long enough and you don't have to replace in your kitchen drawer (so that your wife or significant other won't beat you down).
  • ruler
  • chop sticks
  • straw
  • pipe cleaner
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      07-28-2021, 03:16 PM   #11
doughboy650gc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
Try to fashion some type of tool that measures the proper distance down from the top. I use a small pipe cleaner and I bent the tip to make a hook so that if it "accidentally" slipped out of my hand etc...that it wouldn't find itself at the bottom of the fill tube! Then measured down 160mm (and made a mark)...then measured down 110mm (and made a mark).

When I stick this tool down into the filler tube and pull it back out...if it is wet between those two marks...then I know that I'm at the proper fill. If is below the 160mm mark...then I would need to top up the coolant.

Its simple to make a tool...you just need something long enough and you don't have to replace in your kitchen drawer (so that your wife or significant other won't beat you down).
  • ruler
  • chop sticks
  • straw
  • pipe cleaner
Awesome thank you! Who's better than you!? NOBODY! 😁
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      07-28-2021, 04:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
True. I'll snag a jug and add some just to be safe thank you once again
Be sure to use the correct blue BMW coolant. Dealers sell it in quart bottles, which is really 2 quarts since you have to mix it 50/50 with distilled water.
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      07-28-2021, 04:04 PM   #13
doughboy650gc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Opie55 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy650gc View Post
True. I'll snag a jug and add some just to be safe thank you once again
Be sure to use the correct blue BMW coolant. Dealers sell it in quart bottles, which is really 2 quarts since you have to mix it 50/50 with distilled water.
Got it!!
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      06-07-2023, 11:21 AM   #14
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I apologize for bringing up this old thread. I had a similar issue with my vehicle recently; the radiator coolant was mysteriously getting low. As I further checked the hoses, cracks in the radiator, or head gasket, there was no sign of leakage. It turned out that my radiator cap was damaged and it’s not holding the standard operating pressure anymore, so I immediately replaced it. I came across an in-depth article that may be worth reading. Search for "Mercedes-Benz Check Coolant Level Warning Light on YOUCANIC" and you will see an article that goes over common causes and possible fixes. You can read about it yourself. I hope this information can assist someone else with a similar issue.
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      06-07-2023, 09:25 PM   #15
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What I wouldn’t give for a good old-fashioned paper FSM for this car.
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