'92 525i coolant level? Sensor?

[sbeckman7]

Hi guys,

Once in a while when starting my car i get a coolant level warning on the dash. The coolant is sitting at the top of the ribbed section of the tank attached to the radiator. Is this the correct level? Do I just need a new sensor?

Spence

[excelsisba]

A couple of things to check before you replace: make sure the float doesn't get stuck at the top, check and make sure it has a good connection on the top where it connects.

I have an extra here if you need one just pay the shipping.

[sbeckman7]

A couple of things to check before you replace: make sure the float doesn't get stuck at the top, check and make sure it has a good connection on the top where it connects.

I have an extra here if you need one just pay the shipping.

What if the float is not even visible/missing...? :)

[paperplane94]

What I thought was a wine cork was actually the float from the sensor in my expansion tank.


Just jumper the connector and check the level periodically.

[DrCharles]

Don't buy the cheapest sensor you can find. I made that mistake with the $11.95 one... lasted about three months, now it gives false coolant-low warnings on most (but not all) days.

[excelsisba]

Is yours a top fill up against the firewall?

[sbeckman7]

Is yours a top fill up against the firewall?

Nope, integrated into the side of the radiator. I was a bit confused when I couldn't see any sort of wiring or level gauge.. Then I realized I should probably have one of those bobs/floaters but it's nowhere to be found.

[excelsisba]

Yeah my resivour in separate on top against the firewall so it's different then what I have. Sorry.

[Trasportador]

Yeah my resivour in separate on top against the firewall so it's different then what I have. Sorry.

What you have us an m60 only expansion tank B.

[SinisterMoose]

My '92 525i, did the same thing. The level sensor, screws into the bottom of the overflow reservoir. It's a cheesy little device, that's very similar to the E36 version. The little float has a ring around the inside of it, that acts as a magnetic "switch". Some times this ring falls out, and sends the low level signal.

I didn't feel like dumping all the coolant just to replace it, so I bought one for about $12 on ebay, and taped the float in place, and connected it, without installing it. I was obsessive about the coolant level, so I didn't want the car constantly reminding me. I did the same thing to my wife's E36 328ic.

The M30 Powered E34 also has the overflow reservoir mounted above the engine on the firewall, like the M60.

[excelsisba]

What you have us an m60 only expansion tank B.

Yeah I must have missed it was a 525i... :-)

[Dtbimmer525]

I think I'm having the same issue. I don't remember seeing a floater in my reservoir tank either.

[affende]

My E34 coolant level sensor next to the plug that was installed in the new radiator.

this gives you an idea of what it looks like and where it is.

http://i.imgur.com/zynE2Wt.jpg