Is Your BMW Coolant Level Keeps Dropping? Here is What Could it Mean? Introduction
As you all know how important the engine for the car is. The engine works hard to make the car move, so it also needs care and maintenance, proper l ubrication and a suitable temperature for operation. Maintaining a correct temperature in the engine is required as it has certain operations which cannot take place if there is no correct temperature in the engine. So to attain the temperature, engine needs coolant in a proper quantity. But sometimes the coolant amount in the engine remains incorrect which is a result of coolant loss. In this article, you’ll know about the coolant level drop.
Coolant level dropping
Coolant or antifreeze is a fluid that is supplied to the engine by the cooling system to make it cool down. The coolant is stored in the reservoir of the radiator. The coolant is then supplied to the engine with pressure by the water pump the coolant then goes into the engine where it absorbs the heat. The heated coolant then again goes to its cooling system where it is cooled by the radiator fan
Engine needs a temperature that would be suitable for all its components in working properly without getting any damage. This is the operating temperature that should be maintained in the engine. In that temperature, the engine operated more efficiently and its components last for longer period. Generally, the engine tend to get overheated easily during hot or moderate weather. Overheating can severely damage the engine by burning up the oil and damaging some electrical components and wearing of many mechanical parts too. When the heat is produced more and more in the engine without escaping out from it, the overheating occurs. The overheating is prevented by the cooling system when it sends coolant of proper amount to absorb the heat from engine. But sometime, low amount of coolant gets to the engine and fails to control its temperature. Even high amount of coolant than required amount can badly affect the engine by making it cooler. Various process like combustion cannot occur in this case.
Mostly the coolant level drop occurs in the cooling system of the BMW cars, which is not a good sign. Coolant level dropping occurs mainly due to leaks. Damage of some seals, hoses or even the reservoir and the overflow tanks make the coolant to leak out. Through leakage, the coolant is lost and the pressure in the cooling system also drops.
So leakage occurs both internally and externally. This is based on the location of leakage. External leakage is such a leakage when coolant drips out of the car and form puddles under the car when it is parked. Internal leakage is that leakage where you would not find any leaked coolant out of the car but still the coolant level drops.
What causes coolant level to drop?
Water pump seal is worn
The water pump makes the coolant pump up to the engine by providing it pressure. The seals are present to avoid any leakage. But if the pump seal is damaged due to aging, then it would leak the coolant in high amounts.
Worn radiator cap
If the radiator cap is loosed due to worn springs in it, then it would not be able to maintain a correct pressure in the cooling system and ultimately lead to leaking of coolant.
Leaks from hose
The hoses also make the coolant to leak as they develop cracks or split up. Through the hoses the coolant pass to the engine and the radiator. Splits at the hoses would make the coolant leak out.
Head gasket damage
The head gasket avoid the coolant leaks into the engine and the exhaust and avoid any damage to these parts. But sometimes, the head gasket develop cracks due to aging or some other factors. This makes the coolant to leak into the combustion chamber and burned with fuel. This would release white smoke from the exhaust.
Conclusion
Just have a look at all signs of coolant leaks like coolant light glowing on dashboard or puddles of coolant under the car. Or white smoke from exhaust with a sweet smell. Take your BMW for inspection to the BMW specialized mechanics.