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      01-21-2017, 04:10 PM   #1
PurplePeril
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Coolant level too low

Just had the above message pop up as I arrived home. Says check handbook which in turn says take to service centre at earliest convenience - anyone else had this - I'd like to be able to top up myself and am puzzled as to why it needs to go back to the shop?
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      01-21-2017, 05:40 PM   #2
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The engine is very difficult to reach. If you can get to it and add coolant you may not have to go into the shop, but BMW does not want us to look in the magic places under the front or rear bonnets.
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      01-21-2017, 10:08 PM   #3
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The rear is pretty easy...just a bunch of thumb screws and the metal guard slides out. Although I'm trying to remember...I know there are a bunch of tanks up front, is that where the coolant is? If so, it's just a matter of dealing with the trickery of opening the hood.
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      01-22-2017, 12:45 AM   #4
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That warning came up briefly for me once and disappeared. I'm procrastinating, hoping it won't come back.
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      01-22-2017, 01:15 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
The rear is pretty easy...just a bunch of thumb screws and the metal guard slides out. Although I'm trying to remember...I know there are a bunch of tanks up front, is that where the coolant is? If so, it's just a matter of dealing with the trickery of opening the hood.
Graphic on the dash intimates that it's under the front bonnet
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      01-22-2017, 10:03 AM   #6
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That warning came up briefly for me once and disappeared. I'm procrastinating, hoping it won't come back.
Would appear my message was a glitch also (fingers crossed) as it's not reappeared today.
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      01-22-2017, 11:16 AM   #7
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Just had the same message appear on mine this afternoon. Oddly I was driving in eDrive at the time through a city but had used Sport to overtake prior to reaching the city.

Mines booked into the dealer for a creaking seat on the 30th but I may pop in tomorrow as I can't be bothered to open the "hood" as from the video I've seen it needs two people...
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      01-23-2017, 03:16 PM   #8
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North Oxford BMW found the coolant needed a litre of top up. Sounds like a lot to me as it was last done at service in June 5k miles ago. They said they tested it for leaks and found nothing. I hope it's not anything serious and was just under-filled or not bled properly at the service and has self-bled...
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      01-23-2017, 04:19 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveB_UK View Post
North Oxford BMW found the coolant needed a litre of top up. Sounds like a lot to me as it was last done at service in June 5k miles ago. They said they tested it for leaks and found nothing. I hope it's not anything serious and was just under-filled or not bled properly at the service and has self-bled...
Mine was in for the fuel tank pressure sensor fix which necessitated the coolant system being drained. Car comes back, coolant low warning pops up straight away so I left it with them - marvellous. Took them over a week to sort it - I think they re-drained it a few times and finally got rid of an air pocket, hopefully that's all you have.
The engine radiator is up front and has pipes feeding back to the engine so a little more complicated than a 'normal' car!
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      01-23-2017, 05:10 PM   #10
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Yes I had this. For me it was the front coolant tank -- which cools the electronics rather than the ICE (you can tell by looking at the diagram that pops up).

Took it in a couple of times to top up the fluid but the message soon came back. They eventually diagnosed a faulty sensor and replaced the tank, which fixed the problem.
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      01-24-2017, 07:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PurplePeril View Post
Just had the above message pop up as I arrived home. Says check handbook which in turn says take to service centre at earliest convenience - anyone else had this - I'd like to be able to top up myself and am puzzled as to why it needs to go back to the shop?
This started for me several months back. dealer diagnosed, topped off and capped, a week later same warning my brother helped me open the hood (it's no big deal folks!! it's just a matter of being careful) Noticed it was not topped off, but no leak either. Called dealer asked if they infect topped it off he answers yes have the tech confirm and verify work order. Tech suspects air in the line and burp caused the drop in fluid. Dealer orders new sensors, had to bring back to shop for second time pressure tested, new sensors installed etc. Later that day when I left dealership, warning pops up again!! (MotherF**r) what now? Called the dealer, they say "we can't figure it out" we'll call BMW. Currently waiting on tech support from BMW Germany. This issue only happens if i put it in sport and get on it a little, but then it disappears. Annoying
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      01-27-2017, 06:02 PM   #12
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My car had the electric preheater replaced early in it's life.

Since then I've gotten about a dozen of these warnings. The first time I parked the car, and had it towed to my dealer. They couldn't find any problem. Since then, I just ignore the warning message. Some day it won't be crying wolf and my engine will blow up. Or something equally fun.

For those folks who have had parts replaced to fix this problem, can you post part numbers? The next time I take it (to a different dealer) I'd like to give them a head start on tracking down possible failures.

Many thanks.
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I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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      01-27-2017, 07:19 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Louv View Post
My car had the electric preheater replaced early in it's life.

Since then I've gotten about a dozen of these warnings. The first time I parked the car, and had it towed to my dealer. They couldn't find any problem. Since then, I just ignore the warning message. Some day it won't be crying wolf and my engine will blow up. Or something equally fun.

For those folks who have had parts replaced to fix this problem, can you post part numbers? The next time I take it (to a different dealer) I'd like to give them a head start on tracking down possible failures.

Many thanks.
Do you have any interest in Lemoning your i8?
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      01-27-2017, 09:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer View Post
Do you have any interest in Lemoning your i8?
Nope. It's a great car. It is just a little confused about how much coolant it needs/wants/has.

Also, it hasn't spent sufficient time in the shop to be 'lemoned'. I've only taken it in once for the coolant warning. I had it back in three or four days.
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I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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      01-28-2017, 08:06 PM   #15
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The warning came back on for me today...
I'll call the dealership on Monday, and we'll see where it goes.
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      01-29-2017, 01:30 PM   #16
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Interesting. Looks like a common problem. Hopefully BMW will sort it out quickly.
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      01-30-2017, 04:03 PM   #17
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Had he coolant topped up and checked for leaks on the 23rd and didn't get a chance to use the car again until today, when it was booked for the creaking seat fix.

Seat fixed perfectly but on the way home the engine coolant warning popped up again

On the plus side I was given an M4 as a loaner and it confirmed how much better the i8 is!!!
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      01-30-2017, 04:10 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Louv View Post
My car had the electric preheater replaced early in it's life.

Since then I've gotten about a dozen of these warnings. The first time I parked the car, and had it towed to my dealer. They couldn't find any problem. Since then, I just ignore the warning message. Some day it won't be crying wolf and my engine will blow up. Or something equally fun.

For those folks who have had parts replaced to fix this problem, can you post part numbers? The next time I take it (to a different dealer) I'd like to give them a head start on tracking down possible failures.

Many thanks.
Does the electric preheater work as part of the pre-conditioning and as well as heat up the cabin it also pre-heats (or cools) the batteries so they are ready when you drive?

I drove my car without pre-conditioning recently and outside temp was 2 deg C. I drove for one mile slowly until I reached the open road. Once I got over 45mpg eDrive was turned off and the ICE engaged. After about 5 miles I tried eDrive again and it worked up to max eDrive speed.

So it would make sense to me that the battery temp is pre-conditioned to allow eDrive to be used properly?
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      01-30-2017, 04:15 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveB_UK View Post
Had he coolant topped up and checked for leaks on the 23rd and didn't get a chance to use the car again until today, when it was booked for the creaking seat fix.

Seat fixed perfectly but on the way home the engine coolant warning popped up again

On the plus side I was given an M4 as a loaner and it confirmed how much better the i8 is!!!
I think of the i8 as a string quartet and the M4 as a rock and roll band. Each is worth listening to (and driving) for its own merits.
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      01-31-2017, 09:02 AM   #20
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Not to divert this useful thread, but coming from a F80 M3 and a Prius, I am most interested in comparisons with the i8. I found the F80 'insulated' from road feel and the driving experience rather numb. Bizarre, but in some ways the Prius is more engaging. I'm hoping the i8 is flat out more fun to drive than the M3. I was hoping BMW was going to pursue development of the 2300 lbs Z2M w/ turbo 4cyl, but alas...
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      01-31-2017, 09:49 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveB_UK View Post
Does the electric preheater work as part of the pre-conditioning and as well as heat up the cabin it also pre-heats (or cools) the batteries so they are ready when you drive?

I drove my car without pre-conditioning recently and outside temp was 2 deg C. I drove for one mile slowly until I reached the open road. Once I got over 45mpg eDrive was turned off and the ICE engaged. After about 5 miles I tried eDrive again and it worked up to max eDrive speed.

So it would make sense to me that the battery temp is pre-conditioned to allow eDrive to be used properly?
Yes, you are correct. It does two things, heats the battery during pre-conditioning and heating the cabin when you have no engine heat (running pure electric, but want warm air).
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I own no garage queens. If it's in my driveway, it's been ridden hard and put away wet. ...and now, with a light crust of Maine road salt.
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      01-31-2017, 02:20 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Louv View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveB_UK View Post
Does the electric preheater work as part of the pre-conditioning and as well as heat up the cabin it also pre-heats (or cools) the batteries so they are ready when you drive?

I drove my car without pre-conditioning recently and outside temp was 2 deg C. I drove for one mile slowly until I reached the open road. Once I got over 45mpg eDrive was turned off and the ICE engaged. After about 5 miles I tried eDrive again and it worked up to max eDrive speed.

So it would make sense to me that the battery temp is pre-conditioned to allow eDrive to be used properly?
Yes, you are correct. It does two things, heats the battery during pre-conditioning and heating the cabin when you have no engine heat (running pure electric, but want warm air).
Thanks for the clarification.
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