Is any coolant loss tolerable?

[m3f_Richardsperry]

As said coolant should be replaced every 60,000miles usually. The coolant breaks down and the boiling point will lower/freeze point increase. Also the additives break down and will begin to turn acidic, eating away at the inside of the motor, hoses, radiators etc.



Coolants usually 60K

Trans is usually 50K for a manual

Diff on these cars like 50K



Or if you really want to take care of it and keep it happy

Coolant every year

trans every 2 years

diff every year.



Thats just me.

Me?



Oil and filter every 7.5k I use M1 10-40 euro

Coolant 4 years

Tranny and diff 30k (inspection 2) along with plugs.

Brakes bled every year.



Do that, and it will probably run forever

[m3f_iPhantom]

oops just realized this was in E36 forum.. Forgot to set search filter!


But yes I do understand fluids need to be changed regularly, and I was surprised to read some comments here and online about BMW releasing a statement that the coolant should never need to be flushed or not for like 100k miles or something like that.


My car, I plan on flushing this spring. Though there are no issues with cooling, I did peek in the res and see it has a slight greenness to it... do not want that...

[m3f_scoobiedoo2029]

But yes I do understand fluids need to be changed regularly, and I was surprised to read some comments here and online about BMW releasing a statement that the coolant should never need to be flushed or not for like 100k miles or something like that.

lots of new cars say lifetime fluid in all kinds of ways, its not. alot of modern automatic transmissions dont even have drain plugs, they say they don't need fluid but they do. i dont understand this, the only thing i can see is that manufactures lie to pass environmental concerns or consider the life of a car to be the warranty period only.

[m3f_JCinRI]

For an e36 or an e46, scoobie's advice is good. Replace the cap on the expansion tank and see what's if the problem recurs. The time to do a cooling system overhaul is approaching, as the components are over 10 years old and replacing them is good preventive maintenance.


Personally, I change fluids more frequently than others here. Redline ATF for the trans and gear lube for the diff are replaced annually, coolant every other year, using only BMW coolant. The oil ends up being charged at about 2000 miles using Mobil 1 15w50. It seems that lighter oils are popular on this board, but my car is pretty much a track-only vehicle which may be the explanation.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

For an e36 or an e46, scoobie's advice is good. Replace the cap on the expansion tank and see what's if the problem recurs. The time to do a cooling system overhaul is approaching, as the components are over 10 years old and replacing them is good preventive maintenance.



Personally, I change fluids more frequently than others here. Redline ATF for the trans and gear lube for the diff are replaced annually, coolant every other year, using only BMW coolant. The oil ends up being charged at about 2000 miles using Mobil 1 15w50. It seems that lighter oils are popular on this board, but my car is pretty much a track-only vehicle which may be the explanation.

I change mine a lot simply because the cost really isn't that high and i just like knowing its got fresh fluids. I've done this with every car i own and i'm a firm believer that if you take care of something, it will last forever.