Cooling System - Long Term Coolant Service Information

2010 BMW 335Cic Convertible (E93) L6-3.0L Turbo (N54) Technical Service Bulletin # 170107 Date: 100601

Cooling System - Long Term Coolant Service Information

SI B 17 01 07

Cooling Systems

June 2010

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B17 01 07 dated October 2007.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

BMW Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant: Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacement Requirements

MODEL

2003 E85 (Z4)

2004 and newer, all models

INFORMATION

The cooling systems for the BMW vehicles listed above must only be filled with a long-term ethylene glycol antifreeze/coolant solution containing

corrosion inhibitors that are compatible with aluminum components.

2010 BMW 335Cic Convertible (E93) L6-3.0L Turbo (N54) 320

Engine Antifreeze/Coolants for BMW vehicles have four basic functions:

^ Help provide sufficient cooling;

^ Help provide the cooling system with protection against winter freeze-ups and summer boilovers;

^ Protect various metals (gray cast iron, steel, aluminum alloys, brass, copper, and solder) against corrosion; and

^ Prevent excessive silicate gel precipitation, which may cause clogging of the cooling system.

[NEW] Coolant System Repairs

In conjunction with any major repairs where aluminum or metal cooling system components are replaced (e.g., radiator, cylinder head), drain and

completely replace the long-term antifreeze/coolant. These components require corrosion protection that is only available with new long-term

antifreeze/coolant.

For all other repairs involving the draining of partial quantities of coolant (e.g., thermostat replacement), replenish those drained quantities with new

long-term antifreeze/coolant. It is important, in order to maintain corrosion protection, not to reuse any drained coolant. Always recycle or properly

dispose of used engine coolant.

Initial Filling at the Factory and Refilling

The antifreeze concentration of the coolant installed at the factory is valid for all areas of the U.S. and Canadian markets. This should be checked

before the beginning of each winter for sufficient protection against freezing. An antifreeze tester is required to correctly determine the level of

antifreeze concentration.

[NEW] Refer to SI B17 01 06 and SI B17 01 10 (or REP 17 00 039) for more details on refilling the coolant system.

Diluted or Contaminated Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant

The corrosion inhibitors of long-term and short-term antifreeze/coolants do not work together, so it is not advisable to mix the two products.

Topping off a long-term antifreeze/coolant solution with a short-term antifreeze/coolant solution dilutes the level of corrosion protection. In an

emergency situation, when long-term antifreeze is not available, top off with water until a long-term antifreeze/coolant is obtained. Since adding

water will dilute the level of antifreeze protection, always remember to check and adjust the antifreeze concentration as necessary after such

situations.

The color of BMW Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant is blue; however, the colors of other locally available long and short-term coolants vary. These

colors include green, orange, pink, red, or yellow. Mixing BMW Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant with these different colors and types of

antifreeze/coolants can result in a discolored solution in the cooling system. If a discolored antifreeze/coolant solution is found in the cooling system,

determine the cause, repair the vehicle as needed, and, if necessary, replace the antifreeze/coolant completely to ensure adequate corrosion

protection.

BMW Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant Chemistry

Long-term antifreeze/coolants utilize Organic Acid Technology (OAT). OAT-type antifreeze/coolant solutions use organic acid salts in place of the

inorganic corrosion inhibitor additives found in traditional short-term antifreeze/coolants. OAT-type corrosion inhibitors are slower-acting, last

longer, and provide excellent long-term corrosion protection for various coolant system aluminum and metal components, along with no required

change interval.

BMW's Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant (82 14 1 467 704) is a Hybrid OAT (HOAT) solution, since it also has added silicates to provide quick-acting

protection for aluminum surfaces. Silicates help repair surface erosion caused by cavitation in the water pump.

BMW's Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant does not contain nitrites or phosphates and has been formulated to prevent excessive silicate gel precipitation,

significantly reducing the possibility of harmful deposit formation.

BMW Antifreeze/Coolant Maintenance Summary

BMW's Long-term Antifreeze/Coolant can be used for all model years; however, its use does not eliminate or supercede a stated change interval.

Always maintain the antifreeze/coolant in accordance with the cooling system maintenance requirements outlined in the corresponding vehicle's

Service and Warranty Information Booklet.

2010 BMW 335Cic Convertible (E93) L6-3.0L Turbo (N54) 321

The summary above details the BMW conversion, by model year (MY) and model, to a long-term antifreeze/coolant solution.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the BMW Maintenance Programs.