Help! I don't want my car to overheat on me :(

[thejobman]

OK, I know I am a total NEWB for asking this, but here goes:

My car is giving me a "Coolant Level Low" warning for the last 2-3 days. My radiator was changed at about 80-90k by the prev. owner. The car currently has 141k on it... I guess I never noticed my coolant level decreasing on any other car I have owned since it was normally topped off during periodic oil changes... (I have had the car for 11,000 miles, and still have one maintenance bar left)...

From what I understand, I need to add half antifreeze and half water. Where do I add this? Directly into the radiotor? Or is there a Coolant Reservoir Tank?

Can someone circle the location that I need to add the coolant on the bellow picture and repost it?



Also, I am getting a warning about my brake linings... is there anyway I can know whether it is my front or back brakes?

Thanks a bunch!

[fastshivy]

Hello Jobman...I am too stupid to figure out how to circle anything, but look just slightly in front of and to the right of that blue part on your intake. That cap is the reservoir tank. There is a float inside that pops up when the coolant is at the correct level. Sometimes in older cars these are missing as they rot off. Top it off and keep an eye on it, you may have a small leak somewhere.

You need to pull the wheels to see which pads are thin. The sensor wire will have to be replaced as well.

Good website for pics....realOEM.com

[da_bull]

If it were mine, I'd go ahead and get the maintenance done and have them change the antifreeze out. Its not really talked about (like oil is), but it really needs changed out every year or two. More than likely its thre front brakes, they take the bulk of the braking. I remember reading somewhere that you will change front brake pads 3 times for every one for the rear. This is probably someones rule of thumb rather than the actual, but anyways. My E34 525i cost me $2300 when I didnt pay attention to the coolant low light for less than a day. Get it fixed as soon as possible...

[thejobman]

Thanks for the replies..., is this it:



Thanks!

[jimmythepie]

this guy needs help,surely no one can be that stupid? go buy a maintenace manual geezer,it ill pay for its self a hundred times over.

[thejobman]

wow... that's awfully nice of you to say. If I didn't need help, I would not be here... and I am about to sell the car, so no, I will not buy a $110 book to locate a cap under my by hood.

[Teh Prof]

The cap that you point to in post 4 of this thread is in fact the radiator coolant expansion tank cap, and that is the one you should open and pour in coolant. Pour in the coolant until it rises to the "Kalt" line. Then run the car for 15-20 seconds. Then open up the cap again and fill it up to the Kalt line. Continue to do this until the line stays put.

[CosmosBlack]

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

this guy needs help,surely no one can be that stupid? go buy a maintenace manual geezer,it ill pay for its self a hundred times over.

It's better to look stupid, and not make a mistake, then be really stupid for not asking in the first place!

Can't blame a newbie for wanting to try DIY. We gotta start somewhere don't we?

As for your question, Jobman, to be really positive, know that coolant has a unique "sweet" smell, and it's a clear yellow/green, with water-consistency.
You can't miss it.
Oh, and if you're not adding much, water is just fine.

[thejobman]

Thanks for the help guys!

[fastshivy]

Well put Cosmos, I am not so refined........jimmythepie did your moma drop you on your head and make you this mean?

[Torque]

Looking in the owner's manual is overrated I guess.

[Eric S.]

Jobman,
I remember when you bought that beauty - why are you selling her now? Just curious. What's on your car horizon? Good luck to you!

PS - Glad you got your answers! Feel free to P-M me if you have any other Q's you wondered about but didn't want to post.

[Eric S.]

Originally Posted by M3UOND

The cap that you point to in post 4 of this thread is in fact the radiator coolant expansion tank cap, and that is the one you should open and pour in coolant. Pour in the coolant until it rises to the "Kalt" line. Then run the car for 15-20 seconds. Then open up the cap again and fill it up to the Kalt line. Continue to do this until the line stays put.

M3 -
Speaking of being "manual-challenged", I finally figured out how to shoot video with my camera phone. So it can definitely do it. So you need to come back for another visit so I can capture that wonderful Dinan sound!

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by Eric S.

M3 -
Speaking of being "manual-challenged", I finally figured out how to shoot video with my camera phone. So it can definitely do it. So you need to come back for another visit so I can capture that wonderful Dinan sound!

LOL definitely will do. Possibility for the first weekend of February if you're up for it.

[thejobman]

Originally Posted by Eric S.

M3 -
Speaking of being "manual-challenged", I finally figured out how to shoot video with my camera phone. So it can definitely do it. So you need to come back for another visit so I can capture that wonderful Dinan sound!

Ha-ha, M3UOND, I think Eric is politely asking for his car back

About me selling the car... I am starting to get cold feet as well.

1. My DSC and ABS only works 25% of the time, so I sledded my way to Staten Island last night... I got a $800 quote to fix it.

2. I also need to do my brakes, so that’s gonna be another $350 ($600 if I do the back as well).

3. There is a check engine light that has been on for 3 months now. My mechanic said it was not super urgent but in order to diagnose it better, he was have to take the intake apart. Have not gotten around to that yet.

Cash is not plenty at the moment... just spend about $1000 on my wife's ride . I am thinking of just fixing the brakes and putting the 540i up for $14k, maybe close at $13k. Plus, I was never a luxury car guy. Maybe I need a Porsche like Cosmo! Lucky Cosmo...