Low coolant light
 

So my low coolant light came on today, and the little floaty thingy was at the bottom. I only had to add a little bit and it was at full again.

So what are the chances that this is NOT a crack/leak? How often does the level drop in a healthy system? Should I go get a pressure test done ASAP or just keep monitoring it?

I'm at 90K miles, so I guess it's pretty likely the radiator is going. Driving the car into a snowbank probably didn't help my odds.

The thermostat assembly was the weak point on my E46. I went through three altogether, over 120K or so.

...or sometimes, they just eat a little coolant.

Anyway, at 90k, it should probably get a new cooling system.

My E39 would trip that light occasionally -- about 3-4 times over the last couple years I owned it. I topped it off once -- and it only took about 12-16 ounces to fill up. The other time, it was going in for service the next day, and they topped it up and inspected and didn't find anything...

I got a new thermostat and expansion tank 15K miles ago. But not a new radiator.

OK thanks guys. I'll check it for a while and see if it drops.

Dude. Radiator time.

Alex

I've found that when the weather turns considerably colder, some O-rings tend to shrink and results in a slight seepage.

As a result, I tend to add a couple of ounces of coolant every month to keep the floaty thingie (for a lack of a better term) at its max level.

I believe the real name is "floating level indicator".

Hey, I wasn't even that far off with "little floaty thingy"!!!