Which one is the coolant reservoir cap, and what is the other one????

Used2be · 06-07-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

2013 USA M5 manual

Thank you. I hope everyone will admit those of us referring to the 2013 manual are working with a handicap regarding the cooling system. The MANUAL, not our brain power

.

M6-Coupe · 06-07-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

2013 USA M5 manual

Yup.... 2013 M6 manual is the same. No indication or explanation about the other one (red colored in OP or #7 )... and also the cap has no label like the 2015 model (what Bonz posted)

hori · 06-07-2015, 06:08 PM

ok to confuse matters even worse..

is the rad the only low coolant sensor??
or does the intercooler tank have one also??

Bönz · 06-07-2015, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Used2be

Thank you. I hope everyone will admit those of us referring to the 2013 manual are working with a handicap regarding the cooling system. The MANUAL, not our brain power

.

I never meant to insult your brainpower.

You can see BMW added the yellow warning at some point as my 2015 has it on the engine coolant cap. So through all this, we identified another series production change.

In the auto industry scores, if not hundreds of engineering changes occur every year on a given platform at the OE and supplier level. Some are to correct mistakes, eliminate bandaids, improve design and so on. Most typically are to reduce cost.

E90Fleet · 06-07-2015, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bönz

You can see BMW added the yellow warning at some point as my 2015 has it on the engine coolant cap. So through all this, we identified another change series production change.

Yes, from July 2013 production BMW introduces new warnings on coolant caps due to new upcoming European regulations

Old then new

Used2be · 06-07-2015, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hori

is the rad the only low coolant sensor??
or does the intercooler tank have one also??

I'll defer to E90 for the proper answer, but I don't see or feel any electrical connections on the DME reservoir, so I think not. If that fluid level got low, perhaps some other engine warning light would appear though, to warrant checking the DME reservoir?

E90Fleet · 06-07-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Used2be

I'll defer to E90 for the proper answer, but I don't see or feel any electrical connections on the DME reservoir, so I think not. If that fluid level got low, perhaps some other engine warning light would appear though, to warrant checking the DME reservoir?

Cant see any sensor listed, but the pumps all have run dry detection and protection and the intake and DME temperatures are monitored, so a warning will be given to go see a dealer.

So I believe the only coolant low message the driver will ever get is the engine coolant.

M5essex · 06-08-2015, 08:03 AM

take it to the main dealer and let them sort it out and fill the correct reservoir up for you...

Ian335xd · 06-08-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bönz

I never meant to insult your brainpower.

You can see BMW added the yellow warning at some point as my 2015 has it on the engine coolant cap. So through all this, we identified another series production change.

In the auto industry scores, if not hundreds of engineering changes occur every year on a given platform at the OE and supplier level. Some are to correct mistakes, eliminate bandaids, improve design and so on. Most typically are to reduce cost.

I stand corrected my 2015 car handbook must be the earlier one as it doesn't show the 7 points and after checking the car you were right and I was wrong the coolant for the engine is on the right.

I will speak to my dealer tomorrow and ask for a later handbook!

Manny G · 06-09-2015, 06:14 PM

Well Im glad this debate went on as long as it did, now I know I wasnt wrong for feeling unclear as to which one was what. I have a 2013 and the manual does not show anything for the (RED) circled cap. I just happened to think from experience of working with BMW's that it was a coolant cap and knowing that it wasnt any one of the other fluids the car took.

Used2be · 06-09-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny G

I just happened to think from experience of working with BMW's that it was a coolant cap and knowing that it wasnt any one of the other fluids the car took.

I have a fair amount of experience with cars over the years, and to be wrong on such a basic element of auto servicing was embarrassing. But the manual certainly led me in the wrong direction. The M5 has been so reliable for the last two and a half years, I haven't had to think of the water level, in any circuit. The only other new BMW car I've purchased was a 1969 model 2002....things have changed a bit since then!

Manny G · 06-15-2015, 10:37 AM

So it turns out I had the notorious coolant leak near the turbo coolant lines. I was due for service just after I had these coolant messages coming up, when I took the car in for service, they found a coolant leak and replaced noted the following:

Quote:

TURBOCHARGER COOLANT LINES WTY. VERIFIED CUSTOMER LOW COOLANT WARNING FOUND TURBOCHARGER COOLANT LINES LEAKING. REMOVED AND REPLACED TURBO CHARGER COOLANT LINES. NOTE TURBOCHARGER COOLANT LINE FITTING SEPARATED WHILE REMOVING HOSE FROM PUMP. REMOVED AND REPLACED TURBOCHARGER COOLANT PUMP. REFILLED VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM TEST DRIVE FOUND NO FURTHER LEAKS.
R&I/REPLACING SUPPLY PIPE (FEED LINE TURBO AND AUX PUMP)
REPLACING RETURN LINE
4 x 11-53-7-853-849 HEAT PROTECTION
1 x 11-53-7-844-268 FEED PIPE
1 x 11-53-7-844-269 RETURN PIPE
4 x 32-41-1-131-346 HOSE CLAMP
1 x 11-51-7-629-916 AUXILIARY WATER PUMP

E90Fleet · 06-16-2015, 08:15 AM

Glad you are fixed up

mcvaughan · 06-18-2015, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny G

So it turns out I had the notorious coolant leak near the turbo coolant lines. I was due for service just after I had these coolant messages coming up, when I took the car in for service, they found a coolant leak and replaced noted the following:

When I first read your initial post I thought that's where this was heading.

Glad you're fixed up.

PREDATOR 007 · 07-21-2016, 09:57 AM

I want to be clear about this. Is the coolant reservoir for the intercooler on the drivers side?

ur20v · 07-22-2016, 05:56 AM

They are combinded circuits with one reservoir e.g both intercoolers and both DME's

PREDATOR 007 · 07-22-2016, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ur20v

They are combinded circuits with one reservoir e.g both intercoolers and both DME's

Not sure what to believe. I stopped by the dealer yesterday and they said the one on the drivers side is for the engine and the one on the passengers side is for the intercoolers.

nirvana19 · 07-22-2016, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PREDATOR 007

Not sure what to believe. I stopped by the dealer yesterday and they said the one on the drivers side is for the engine and the one on the passengers side is for the intercoolers.

Just look at E90s post with the hose diagram.

ur20v · 07-25-2016, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PREDATOR 007

I want to be clear about this. Is the coolant reservoir for the intercooler on the drivers side?

007, I thought you saying the reservoir was 'just' for the drivers side- I misunderstood your post and thought you were talking about a split system for the intercoolers as there are two of them.

Driver side reservoir is for both DME's and both intercoolers.
Passenger side reservoir is for the engine coolant circuit (Radiator, heater, engine block etc).

PREDATOR 007 · 07-25-2016, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ur20v

007, I thought you saying the reservoir was 'just' for the drivers side- I misunderstood your post and thought you were talking about a split system for the intercoolers as there are two of them.

Driver side reservoir is for both DME's and both intercoolers.
Passenger side reservoir is for the engine coolant circuit (Radiator, heater, engine block etc).

BMW and Terry confirmed that the reservoir on the passenger side is the one that I need to fill. US model, my steering wheel is on the left.

ur20v · 07-25-2016, 09:20 PM

Instead of talking passenger or driver side which is problematic depending on where you live we should say the small square box reservoir to the left of the engine bay as you face it which has an easly visable max and min indicator inside- this feeds the DME's and intercoolers. The other cap is located to the right of the engine bay as you look at it, its hard to see any thing down in its depths (its basicly a tube) is for the engine coling system.

Mdifficult · 07-29-2016, 10:36 AM

As someone who was also totally confused/screwed over with this particular issue, I thought I'd add a little extra helpful information..

1. Either system can throw a 'coolant low' warning on the dash. If you get a 'coolant low' warning then check the black coolant tank on the left side (as you look into the engine bay). If it's low, top it up.

However, if it's fully topped up then the 'coolant low' warning is referring to the other tank, the one where the filler is on the top right (as you look into the engine bay). The one without the visible expansion tank.

2. "Aha!" I hear you shout. "But if I'm topping up the one without the expansion tank, how the devil do I know if I've topped it up to the right level? There's no indicator!"

The answer is... top it up until it's a few inches below the filler neck. But not to the top.

Hope this is helpful. Bloody stupid system. Bloody stupid 2013 user manual. Bloody ignorant BMW staff.

06-07-2015, 06:08 PM	#25
hori Private 14 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 DCT, F10 M5 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	ok to confuse matters even worse.. is the rad the only low coolant sensor?? or does the intercooler tank have one also??
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06-08-2015, 08:03 AM	#30
M5essex Lieutenant Colonel 643 Rep 1,700 Posts Drives: RR sport SVR, Vent S, 650s spi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Essex UK iTrader: (0)	take it to the main dealer and let them sort it out and fill the correct reservoir up for you... __________________ Current - 2016 McLaren 650s Spider, Aurora Blue Current - 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR- Black Current- 2018 Aventador S. Nereid blue Gone - 2016 F80 CP, 2015 991 Turbo S, 2016 LCI M135i. 2015 F10 CP M5. 2015 X5, 2012 E92 CP M3. 2009 E92 335i
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06-09-2015, 06:14 PM	#32
Manny G The Illustrious 24 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2003 540i/6 M-Sport, 2013 M5 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Coral Springs, FL iTrader: (1)	Well Im glad this debate went on as long as it did, now I know I wasnt wrong for feeling unclear as to which one was what. I have a 2013 and the manual does not show anything for the (RED) circled cap. I just happened to think from experience of working with BMW's that it was a coolant cap and knowing that it wasnt any one of the other fluids the car took.
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06-16-2015, 08:15 AM	#35
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1337 Rep 10,187 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Glad you are fixed up __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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07-21-2016, 09:57 AM	#37
PREDATOR 007 Second Lieutenant 67 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Vandalia, OH iTrader: (0)	I want to be clear about this. Is the coolant reservoir for the intercooler on the drivers side?
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07-22-2016, 05:56 AM	#38
ur20v Captain 187 Rep 788 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: WA Australia iTrader: (0)	They are combinded circuits with one reservoir e.g both intercoolers and both DME's
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07-25-2016, 09:20 PM	#43
ur20v Captain 187 Rep 788 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: WA Australia iTrader: (0)	Instead of talking passenger or driver side which is problematic depending on where you live we should say the small square box reservoir to the left of the engine bay as you face it which has an easly visable max and min indicator inside- this feeds the DME's and intercoolers. The other cap is located to the right of the engine bay as you look at it, its hard to see any thing down in its depths (its basicly a tube) is for the engine coling system.
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07-29-2016, 10:36 AM	#44
Mdifficult New Member 33 Rep 21 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Blue, E82 1M White Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	As someone who was also totally confused/screwed over with this particular issue, I thought I'd add a little extra helpful information.. 1. Either system can throw a 'coolant low' warning on the dash. If you get a 'coolant low' warning then check the black coolant tank on the left side (as you look into the engine bay). If it's low, top it up. However, if it's fully topped up then the 'coolant low' warning is referring to the other tank, the one where the filler is on the top right (as you look into the engine bay). The one without the visible expansion tank. 2. "Aha!" I hear you shout. "But if I'm topping up the one without the expansion tank, how the devil do I know if I've topped it up to the right level? There's no indicator!" The answer is... top it up until it's a few inches below the filler neck. But not to the top. Hope this is helpful. Bloody stupid system. Bloody stupid 2013 user manual. Bloody ignorant BMW staff.
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