Coolant level

[jimbly2]

Hi - I've just bought my second 325i cab - 89 rather than my old lhd 86 - and it has a different coolant expansion tank - I can't work out where the correct level is. There are no arrows that I can see - there is a note on the top saying cold level - so am I supposed to fill it to the top? Doesn't leave much room for expansion! There is what looks like a fixed dipstick inside where the cap screws in and the bottom of it is just in the coolant?

Any help gratefully received!

Cheers
Jim

[Brianmoooore]

If this car has the coolant tank it should have, then the horizontal seam is the correct level, although many seem to settle at about 1/4 " lower than this, which isn't a cause for concern. It should also have a level sensor, with a warning LED on a panel up near the interior light and mirror.
'Dipstick' = dip tube for the small vent pipe from the top of the radiator?
Level sensor connector should be on the top of the tank, forward of the filler/pressure cap.

[jimbly2]

Hi - thanks for the reply - this car has a different tank to my old one - it's at the side and is kind of rectangular - no visible seam or arrows - just the words on the top of the tank saying Cold Level? I've not seen one like this before - will try and take a pic

Thanks
Jim

[jimbly2]

You can see a similar one in this pic:
http://www.tunetech.co.za/wp-content/up ... ce-car.jpg

[jimbly2]

...and here..
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-a ... 4081_n.jpg

[Brianmoooore]

That's the standard tank. Correct level is the horizontal seam, which is about half way up at the filler end.

[jimbly2]

Ah - ok thanks, in that case mine is a bit low - cheers for your help.

Jim

[Brianmoooore]

although many seem to settle at about 1/2 " lower than this, which isn't a cause for concern.