It would be interesting to see how many cars have suffered single and multiple radiator failures.
I have been keeping check on the coolant level and topped up about 3/4 of a litre since the swirl pot installation (7000miles). I have no signs of leakage. I will discuss when the car is in for service at the factory in February.
Is it possible to carry out an inspection of the radiator’s problem area without wings off? Maybe a boreascope? Anyhow will ask is a pressure test can be carried out. (Thanks Em)
Hi Mike, to access ( look ) at the lower section of radiator the car needs to be elevated and the front lower under tray/panels needs to be removed. From memory the tray/s are retained by 10mm bolts.
Our plus Six is on its 3rd radiator. The 1st suddenly lost coolant and a drip could be seen underneath. The second radiator started to need very small amounts of top ups right from it being fitted over a two to three month period on the near side header tank, it was reported to the dealer, but nothing found, they checked twice over several months. Then when on the way back from France this year it suddenly lost 2/3rds of the nearside coolant header tanks level. It was just starting to drip again, but not hugely. In both cases when it did start to drip it was on the nearside. I was told by the dealer this is the most common area to see the radiator leak?.. After our 3rd radiator replacement and right from fitting, the nearside coolant header tank seems to need very very small top ups over several weeks, the 3rd radiator has only had 500 miles on it so far, so its maybe possible that some small amounts of air are working their way out. The amount needed to top up is very small, much less than seen when the previous radiator leaked. When the 3rd radiator was fitted we also had the ECU flash.
The car has only covered 3700 miles from build, so needing three radiators in that milage is something.
As Em says a coolant pressure test should reveal if the system is losing pressure ( leak).
Also of interest.. BMW's USA own info on the engine, states the cooling system has to be initially filled using vacuum filling equipment to avoid air pockets. The fluid is drawn into and through the engines cooling system until filled, after that its just topped up via the header tank as per normal ops.. I wonder if the main dealers do it that way.
Dave
