Joined
Sep 12, 2011 · 1,065 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Oct 11, 2012 So I discovered what was making my gearbox have problems after long drives. Blue/Green crystallized sludge had clogged up my transmission cooler. Like most BMW's more than three or four years old, someone had emptied the blue BMW coolant and refilled with green coolant. If you are going to change between the two, be EXTREMELY
diligent when flushing and make sure to drain and flush the ENTIRE system. Clearly someone didn't manage to get to all the blue coolant and it's gone bad. I'm just glad I got to it in time before it destroyed my gearbox. Joined Jan 20, 2006 · 982 Posts
You're not suppose to use green coolant even if its a complete drain and refill Something to do with eating away the aluminum. Joined Apr 11, 2012 · 69 Posts
BMW coolant is blue... Not green Joined
Sep 12, 2011 · 1,065 Posts
Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Oct 11, 2012 Thanks Captain Obvious, but I already caught onto that, hence why I referred to 'blue BMW coolant' and 'green coolant' separately. Also, it's all well and good to say "you're not supposed to" but how many BMW's have you seen lately with the correct blue coolant. I use the correct blue BMW coolant in my E46 despite it costing more than ten times
what high quality green coolant costs, but I can tell you that I will not use it in any of my other cars and I'm not alone in that sentiment. Joined Dec 24, 2007 · 7,416 Posts
Joined Mar 23, 2011 · 801 Posts
You need to replace your entire cooling system! NOW! Joined May 16, 2005 · 7,924 Posts
in b4 Mango, cooling officer! Joined Mar 7, 2006 · 29,522 Posts
in b4 Mango, cooling officer! That's right! I'll be handing out tickets to those who violate the cooling laws! :read: Genuine BMW coolant: $19 One gallon distilled water: $1 Auto parts store coolant: $14.99 Total additional cost to do it right: $5.01 Joined Mar 15, 2006 · 1,940 Posts
I've been mixing Blue and Green coolant for the last 13 years and 336,000 miles without issues... Granted I flush my coolant every 60k, but I have never had any blue/green mixing issues. I use whatever I have on hand whenever my coolant is low. Just my two and a half cents worth...
Joined Mar 7, 2006 · 29,522 Posts
Can do it any way you like. Might get lucky, might not. All I know is it costs an extra $5 to guarantee you're doing it right. Even if it was true that the brand of coolant didn't matter, the "awesome" factor alone knowing you have 100% factory BMW blue coolant running through the system is worth it. I mean just opening the expansion
tank cap and seeing pure blue BMW coolant makes me all giddy inside. It's just the proper way to do it. Joined Dec 24, 2007 · 7,416 Posts
personally, i don't see any coolant when i open the expansion tank, the plastic rod should be at the top of the neck when open
Joined Mar 7, 2006 · 29,522 Posts
personally, i don't see any coolant when i open the expansion tank, the plastic rod should be at the top of the neck when open Press the float down with your fingers. If your system is filled with blue, you'll see it. Joined Oct 16, 2010 · 719 Posts
That's right! I'll be handing out tickets to those who violate the cooling laws! :read: Genuine BMW coolant: $19 One gallon distilled water: $1 Auto parts store coolant: $14.99 Total additional cost to do it right: $5.01 As you still need the distilled water, its
really a savings of only $4.01! The only issue comes when you don't have BMW blue on hand and need it fast - then the cost goes up. That's why I keep a jug on hand. Luke Joined Mar 7, 2006 · 29,522 Posts
As you still need the distilled water, its really a savings of only $4.01! The only issue comes when you don't have BMW blue on hand and need it fast - then the cost goes up. That's why I keep a jug on hand. Luke True, but I don't count on people to use distilled water when they're not using the proper
coolant to begin with. :thumbsup: Joined Jun 11, 2009 · 4,799 Posts
After I did my cooling system, I just took the other half of my jug and filled it up with distilled water. I've got it sitting under my sink. Used to be in my car when my rad was leaking, but I have no need for it there now. Joined Dec 12, 2011 · 540 Posts
...I use the correct blue BMW coolant in my E46 despite it costing more than ten times what high quality green coolant costs... Dude, where are you shopping? Full price
BMW coolant is $17 from the dealer, $13.50 from Clickable (but out of stock ATM). Glad you finally found the culprit for your trans problems tho! Scott Joined Sep 12, 2011 · 1,065 Posts
Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 12, 2012 Dude, where are you shopping? Full price BMW coolant is $17 from the dealer, $13.50 from Clickable (but out of stock ATM). Glad you finally found the culprit for your trans problems tho! Scott I get a concentrate to make 10L of Tectaloy Coolant for $7. Anyway, hate to rain on anyone's parade but the whole reason I noticed the sludge was because I was replacing my entire cooling system. It's already done. I'm on 110,000 miles. My upper and lower hose were
failing. I noticed that someone had replaced the water pump and thermostat, though I did it again. My hoses were original and my expansion tank was original. My transmission thermostat was mangled. My radiator is original and in great condition. That's the only thing I didn't replace. Also, Mango, should you add heater hoses to your cooling overhaul? That
and a couple other things I can't remember are the only things I didn't find on yours. ALSO, I don't think the bracket should be optional, as I didn't buy one and then found out that coolant runs through it. I thought it was just structural. Oops! _______________________________________________________ Funny you guys mention distilled water too. On my other cars I've never bothered using it. I use a hose. I've recently been told that non-distilled water is VERY bad for it, definitely converted me. Will only ever use distilled water again. Joined Dec 12, 2011 · 540 Posts
How'd you clean the sludge out of the trans cooler? An Aussie exaggerate? Funny, I haven't seen that yet....
Joined Jan 5, 2011 · 3,168 Posts
That's right! I'll be handing out tickets to those who violate the cooling laws! :read: Genuine BMW coolant: $19 One gallon distilled water: $1 Auto parts store coolant: $14.99 Total additional cost to do it right: $5.01 I'll pay for my ticket in Mango points. Thank
you sir. Joined Jun 4, 2009 · 1,045 Posts
That's right! I'll be handing out tickets to those who violate the cooling laws! :read: Genuine BMW coolant: $19 One gallon distilled water: $1 Auto parts store coolant: $14.99 Total additional cost to do it right: $5.01 Auto parts store coolant is one gallon
premixed. One gallon Genuine BMW coolant: $19 Auto parts store coolant (x2): $29.98 Up front savings from doing it the right way: $9.98 Is BMW coolant blue or green?Green is backwards compatible with blue and can be used on cars before 2018. However, BMW does not advise using the older blue formula on cars made after January, 2018. The green coolant includes silicates, which add extra protection for cooling internals but the coolant must be replaced every two years.
Does BMW coolant have to be blue?It's known internally as the G48 formula and is specific to BMW/MINI cars. The blue coolant formula is a hybrid that improved the service life of coolant and is more environmentally friendly than other types of coolant.
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Genuine BMW Coolant (Antifreeze), Blue, 1 Gallon Jug.. Can I mix blue coolant with green?You have green, orange, pink, red and blue coolant circulating through radiator hoses in cars around the world. Because of all this variety, it's important that you don't mix the wrong coolant, or wrong types of coolant mixtures, the next time you're topping off your coolant level.
Can you mix coolant with BMW coolant?The chemical makeup of BMW coolant is formulated to work best with BMW engines. It is different from common coolant. BMW coolant is suggested to extend the longevity of the cooling components. I wouldn't recommend mixing them, just as a gut feel....
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