Which coolant to use?

fazman · 06-04-2017, 09:16 PM

Hi,

So I started to get some 2EF4 codes in my car and I went to go look at my coolant reservoir when the car is cold and the bobble is WAY down low to the point that I can't even grab it with two fingers. I can press it down with 1 finger and it pops up a little so it's not at the bottom.

So besides getting BMW coolant from a dealership... what is the correct coolant to get from like a walmart or autozone/etc...

I would prefer getting something that is already premixed because I don't like trying to hunt down distilled water and measure the correct 50/50 mix in another container.

Car = e90 335xi 2008 FBO

When I was in the east coast, dealerships would always top me up for free. But it seems like out here in SoCal... nothing is a courtesy.

mweisdorfer · 06-04-2017, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Hi,

So I started to get some 2EF4 codes in my car and I went to go look at my coolant reservoir when the car is cold and the bobble is WAY down low to the point that I can't even grab it with two fingers. I can press it down with 1 finger and it pops up a little so it's not at the bottom.

So besides getting BMW coolant from a dealership... what is the correct coolant to get from like a walmart or autozone/etc...

I would prefer getting something that is already premixed because I don't like trying to hunt down distilled water and measure the correct 50/50 mix in another container.

Car = e90 335xi 2008 FBO

When I was in the east coast, dealerships would always top me up for free. But it seems like out here in SoCal... nothing is a courtesy.

I use Amsoil coolant with a coolant booster. You can buy pre mix 50/50 or buy it 100% and dilute it with distilled water. They sell it by the gallon.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...ode=ANTPC1G-EA

Monster900 · 06-04-2017, 09:35 PM

Use BMW coolant only. You can get distilled water in grocery store. To mix it takes only couple of minutes.

fazman · 06-04-2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I use Amsoil coolant with a coolant booster. You can buy pre mix 50/50 or buy it 100% and dilute it with distilled water. They sell it by the gallon.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...ode=ANTPC1G-EA

i think i will ask my local dealerships on my drive to work tomorrow to ask if they can top me up a little. I'll just go to the service porter not the SA's.

I'll also get a gallon of distilled water tonight as a back up and put in a cup or two of distiller water now and order some gallon bmw coolant from FCPEuro that way i can always get free coolant in the future (FCP Lifetime warranty).

weehe126 · 06-04-2017, 10:45 PM

Just get it from the dealer. It's the same price or a few $ more at most.

kkasson · 06-05-2017, 05:06 AM

O'Reilly recently started selling Zerex G-48 which is the OE coolant. It's about the same price as the dealership but it's pre-mixed so you're getting half as much. They seem to have it at most or all locations.

mweisdorfer · 06-05-2017, 06:46 AM

Been using Amsoil with a coolant booster for 50,000 miles thus far. Car has 138,000 miles on it. It has all original components.

robthewrench · 06-05-2017, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkasson

O'Reilly recently started selling Zerex G-48 which is the OE coolant. It's about the same price as the dealership but it's pre-mixed so you're getting half as much. They seem to have it at most or all locations.

This G-48 coolant is the same as OEM. I also got it at O-Reilly. Works fine.

Greyfox · 06-05-2017, 06:35 PM

I've used nothing but official BMW coolant in my E91. I'm fairly certain I've got one of the longest longevity water pumps and thermostats at 195,000 miles. Have over 220k on the car now.

If you must use and aftermarket coolant, use Pentosin Pentafrost NF.

CTinline-six · 06-06-2017, 09:05 AM

+1 on the BMW coolant

I've heard it has special lubricants for the waterpump. How true that is, I'm not sure, but it isn't much more expensive and worth it to have the OEM coolant in it.

max_330i · 06-06-2017, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robthewrench

This G-48 coolant is the same as OEM. I also got it at O-Reilly. Works fine.

If this is correct then that's excellent news. I have personally never strayed from the BMW-branded coolant, but perhaps I'm just paranoid.

fazman · 06-07-2017, 02:38 AM

UPDATE: I ended up adding 1/2 a pint of distilled water and everything is working just fine. I got a one gallon jug of DISTILLED water for $0.99 at my local grocery store

I am in the process of getting a wish list for FCPEuro to combine my shipping when i'm ready for my next order.

06-04-2017, 09:16 PM	#1
fazman Brigadier General 681 Rep 3,696 Posts Drives: 335 e90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Which coolant to use? Hi, So I started to get some 2EF4 codes in my car and I went to go look at my coolant reservoir when the car is cold and the bobble is WAY down low to the point that I can't even grab it with two fingers. I can press it down with 1 finger and it pops up a little so it's not at the bottom. So besides getting BMW coolant from a dealership... what is the correct coolant to get from like a walmart or autozone/etc... I would prefer getting something that is already premixed because I don't like trying to hunt down distilled water and measure the correct 50/50 mix in another container. Car = e90 335xi 2008 FBO When I was in the east coast, dealerships would always top me up for free. But it seems like out here in SoCal... nothing is a courtesy.
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06-04-2017, 09:35 PM	#3
Monster900 Zeed 17 Rep 561 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (0)	Use BMW coolant only. You can get distilled water in grocery store. To mix it takes only couple of minutes.
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06-04-2017, 10:45 PM	#5
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,190 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Just get it from the dealer. It's the same price or a few $ more at most.
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06-05-2017, 05:06 AM	#6
kkasson Lieutenant 187 Rep 589 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 328i, 08 BMW 528i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	O'Reilly recently started selling Zerex G-48 which is the OE coolant. It's about the same price as the dealership but it's pre-mixed so you're getting half as much. They seem to have it at most or all locations.
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06-05-2017, 06:46 AM	#7
mweisdorfer Major General 1905 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Been using Amsoil with a coolant booster for 50,000 miles thus far. Car has 138,000 miles on it. It has all original components.
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06-05-2017, 06:35 PM	#9
Greyfox Colonel 1208 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 - 330k+ (miles) Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	I've used nothing but official BMW coolant in my E91. I'm fairly certain I've got one of the longest longevity water pumps and thermostats at 195,000 miles. Have over 220k on the car now. If you must use and aftermarket coolant, use Pentosin Pentafrost NF.
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06-06-2017, 09:05 AM	#10
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6878 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	+1 on the BMW coolant I've heard it has special lubricants for the waterpump. How true that is, I'm not sure, but it isn't much more expensive and worth it to have the OEM coolant in it. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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06-07-2017, 02:38 AM	#12
fazman Brigadier General 681 Rep 3,696 Posts Drives: 335 e90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	UPDATE: I ended up adding 1/2 a pint of distilled water and everything is working just fine. I got a one gallon jug of DISTILLED water for $0.99 at my local grocery store I am in the process of getting a wish list for FCPEuro to combine my shipping when i'm ready for my next order.
	Appreciate 0 Quote