Which coolant

[bombur]

Have had a few issues with temp etc and have been topping up with water but need to add some coolant. It looks like there was red/pink stuff in mine. Does it matter which red one I put in. Any recommendations.
1.9 M43
Thanks

 

[mrscalex]

Not sure if any red coolant will do. The colours do mean something so possibly. Others will know better. But one option is you can get a universal coolant for topping up. I've not used it myself before but might be worth looking at.

My cars all use genuine BMW coolant. That usually kicks off a debate about wasting money on BMW stuff. But it's little more money, if at all than generic stuff you'll buy in Halfords/ECP. But that's one for if you drain/refill.

 

[bombur]

Not sure if any red coolant will do. The colours do mean something so possibly. Others will know better. But one option is you can get a universal coolant for topping up. I've not used it myself before but might be worth looking at.

My cars all use genuine BMW coolant. That usually kicks off a debate about wasting money on BMW stuff. But it's little more money, if at all than generic stuff you'll buy in Halfords/ECP. But that's one for if you drain/refill.

Can I just drain and then add in the BMW blue coolant?

 

[jonco]

Can I just drain and then add in the BMW blue coolant?

On the assumption you do not know how long the coolant has been in there, or what it is, I would recommend you drain, flush and refill with an approved BMW anti-freeze/coolant.
I have used Comma X-stream GS48 throughout ~11 years of ownership. It is `blue' and on BMW's approved list. You can buy it on-line or Halfords used to stock it.
If you are having temperature control problems it may be worth changing stat whilst it is drained.

 

[jaguartvr]

I like the bright green coolant, if there is a leak it shows up much better on the ground. Buy it neat not pre mixed as it works out much cheaper.

 

[mrscalex]

I would say if you have a car you don't know the history of then, amongst a few other things, it's worth draining and refilling. My choice is BMW coolant, others will say use something else and save a couple of quid.

The other part of the coolant debate is whether to use tap water or distilled water for your 50:50 mix. Tap water is fine in soft water areas which I would imagine would include Porthcawl. I use distilled water as Swindon water is vile & hard.

You might also consider doing the water pump & thermostat at the same time if no history known on them.

Definitely something to keep a close eye on if you having overheating and coolant loss issues.

 

[bombur]

Yes is soft water- phew as Ive put a fair bit in tbh.
I will look to get some blue coolant and will have kind help from @colb at ZedShed Cymru (though Zesdhed could move to Porthcawl next week lol) to check and and the drain and refill.

 

[mrscalex]

Yes, you're lucky to have @colb there. Half the week at least I'm resident in Swansea so only 25 mins from you. @colb has invited me along to the merriment a couple of times but the reality is I lead quite a bonkers life between 2 homes with a lot of interests and I'd never be able to commit the time.

I love Porthcawl btw. In fact me and the kids are having 5 days there in first week of Aug. Little bit of a busman's holiday but we only decided late on and accommodation everywhere is very hard to come by currently.

 

[bombur]

Ive just been bleeding it again and all good..fan also kicked in. But I turned the bleeder too much and it fell and it pumped out the water lol!
Yes its a nice place to live and we are very lucky to live on the front.
Busy around here at the moment so not surprised accommodation hard to come by.

 

[mrscalex]

Ive just been bleeding it again and all good..fan also kicked in. But I turned the bleeder too much and it fell and it pumped out the water lol!
Yes its a nice place to live and we are very lucky to live on the front.
Busy around here at the moment so not surprised accommodation hard to come by.

The only place accommodation was still plentiful in the whole of the UK when I booked a few days ago was Yorkshire and Scotland.

 

[bombur]

Porthcawl was 6th in top trending UK seaside towns for a summer break the other day

Five Welsh resorts among the UK's top 10 trending seaside towns

It is not a surprise that Wales is the place to be

www.walesonline.co.uk