Changing coolant levels?

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bri957
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Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:57 am

Quick question

Why would the coolant level on my 320 rise and fall.

Whenever I check the coolant level it is different, one day it will be on the line, the next 1/2 - 1cm above another it will be 1/2cm below.

Does not overheat, no mayo and no other problems.

Cheers Bri
PaulyV
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Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:28 pm

Not an expert so please correct me if wrong, however should it not rise and fall somewhat due to certain conditions - temperature etc?

best

Pauly
1990 318i LUX, Alpine White, 80,000 miles, as close to mint as I'll ever get.
Simon
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Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:03 pm

The level will get higher when the engine gets warmer, and fall as it cools, this is normal..
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bri957
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Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:07 pm

Sorry, wasn't very clear.

This is when I give the engine a once over before using it, so from cold.

Could an air in the system cause these symptoms?

Cheers Bri
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bri957
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:14 pm

bttt
johnna
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:52 pm

air- possibly yes.
Is the car always parked on the level?

When I refill mine, I always place a halfords flexi hose into the filler neck and blow hard. This helps expel some trapped air.
I always like to point up a steep hill to refill and bleed as well. This always seems to help.

You may scoff, but Tommy316i replaced his stat, temp senders, viscous link and all sorts before I bled his cooling system this way. He has not looked back since.

You may have a dodgy thermostat, which could be trapping coolant on the cabin side of the circuit sometimes, leaving air in the engine side, then vice-versa...

Or... your heater controls may not be set at the same setting everytime you check/ bleed the coolant...
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bri957
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:17 pm

Thanks John

I will see if bleeding it again sorts this out.
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