Engine Coolant Level

lammiepie615 · 06-22-2011, 07:24 PM

I took my S1000RR to the local BMW dealership for the initial 600 mile service and told them to look at the engine coolant level, because the coolant level was beneath the low level mark on the reservoir. When they were finished with the the service, it was still beneath the low level mark. I pointed this out to the clerk writing up the service and the tech stated that it was fine and if he filled it up anymore, it would start spitting coolant out. Is this true or was the tech just too lazy to fill it up?

RIQUE · 06-22-2011, 07:53 PM

He was a lazy a$$ hole. Read the manual. Filler up to the line.

moman · 06-23-2011, 07:49 AM

Mine is about a half inch below the full mark and it's never puked anything out.

YELLOPER1L · 06-23-2011, 08:00 AM

Mine is half way between the max and min marks when cold. I've never had any coolant pouring from it.

lammiepie615 · 06-23-2011, 05:15 PM

Does anyone know where I can get OEM coolant?

RIQUE · 06-23-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lammiepie615

Does anyone know where I can get OEM coolant?

Why bother add Water Weter direct to the reservoir.

**1000RR** · 06-23-2011, 11:26 PM

Haven't ever had a boil over issue on this bike, and w/the bike cold my level is 3/4 the way up towards the max line from the min...

If you're adding anything other than something glycol additive to your bike just remember to check your freeze protection level prior to winter arriving. That is... if you live in that type of climate.

**viperclaw** · 06-23-2011, 11:49 PM

You can use "distilled" water if you are just topping up the overflow reservoir. It is not going to significantly diminish your freeze or boiling protection.

Engine coolant not only keeps the coolant from freezing but it also raises the boiling point of the coolant as well--makes it easier to dissipate the engines heat.

markjenn · 06-24-2011, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viperclaw

You can use "distilled" water if you are just topping up the overflow reservoir. It is not going to significantly diminish your freeze or boiling protection.

I would think that would depend on how much water you're adding. In normal operation, there is little if any exchange of coolant between the overflow reservoir and the rest of the cooling system, so if you're adding a lot of water with very little coolant in the tank already, you could end up with mostly water in the tank. Of course, if it did freeze, all you'd probably do is crack the plastic tank... your engine wouldn't be affected.

- Mark

YELLOPER1L · 06-24-2011, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjenn

I would think that would depend on how much water you're adding. In normal operation, there is little if any exchange of coolant between the overflow reservoir and the rest of the cooling system, so if you're adding a lot of water with very little coolant in the tank already, you could end up with mostly water in the tank. Of course, if it did freeze, all you'd probably do is crack the plastic tank... your engine wouldn't be affected.

- Mark

As you say, if it did freeze it probably wouldn't damage the engine block but it would crack your radiator which is not a cheap fix.