added coolant in the wrong tank? PANIC

[target121]

Hi all,

Some really crazy things happened today.!!! I am PANIC... right now

Instead of adding the coolant into tank (1), my friend who claimed he is an expert of bmw added those coolant into tank (2). ---- After reading article from the internet, i find out that coolant shall be add into tank (1).

I am wondering what will happen next? I have driven the car for another 30 minute after my friend added those coolant into the tank (2), it just seems fine.

Can anyone give me some advice?

[ging]

there is only 1 coolant tank
there is 2 washer fluid tanks
you need a photo or a diagram or a much better description of what you put where

[JohnnyC]

Quote: Originally Posted by target121 (original)

Instead of adding the coolant into tank (1), my friend who claimed he is an expert of bmw added those coolant into tank (2). ---- After reading article from the internet, i find out that coolant shall be add into tank (1).

You could throw us a bone and tell us which article from the internet

[target121]

I have tried to upload the photo to the forum. See whether the below link works
anyway !! thanks

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

We have just added those coolant fluid into the (2) Tank !

[The Nun]

Depends where 2 tank is, doesnt show on the photo, hopefully not the brake fluid or power steering.
Oh I see it its in purple hmm

[target121]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Nun (original)

Depends where 2 tank is, doesnt show on the photo, hopefully not the brake fluid or power steering.
Oh I see it its in purple hmm

Yes number 2 is in purple！。what is it actually ？
I could drive it normally even I added coolant into it tho

[The Nun]

Dont actually know myself, it does have a caution and read the manual marking on it.
Its not engine oil and no.1 is the right one for the coolant.
Did it look like it might contain oil or water when you took the cap off? was it pressurised?
Must be an early Gen 1 car?

[tnoy66]

Don't panic, it IS part of the cooling system

In future just use the expansion bottle (1)

You might have a small amount of air in the system now, if I remember correctly there is a bleed screw on the pipe between your (2) and the back of the engine bay.

Get the engine to full temp and put heater on MAX and open the bleed screw until water comes out but beware it will be hot. As the level in the expansion tank drops down, refill it.

Keep a check on the level every day until it stays constant, then check every week

[target121]

The cap does have a caution and read manual sign on it.
The cap is actually pressurised. When i open it, streams and hot air pour out.

After searching the web and reading a bunch of articles, I find out that it is a "Radiator Cap"

It appeared that the "radiator cap" was contacted with the thermostat housing/ coolant thermostat system, where water/coolant actually go through it when the system operate.

I guess, i had just directly added coolant into the system rather through the expansion tank. !!! not sure whether this will cause error or damage or problem to the car.

[target121]

Quote: Originally Posted by tnoy66 (original)

Don't panic, it IS part of the cooling system

In future just use the expansion bottle (1)

You might have a small amount of air in the system now, if I remember correctly there is a bleed screw on the pipe between your (2) and the back of the engine bay.

Get the engine to full temp and open the bleed screw until water comes out but beware it will be hot. As the level in the expansion tank drops down, refill it.

Keep a check on the level every day until it stays constant, then check every week

WOW !! Thanks tho !!!!

[JohnnyC]

Number 1 is the coolant expansion tank.
Number 2 is the radiator cap.

I'm new to Mini's, but adding coolant to the radiator cap is fine

[mab01uk]

As said, No.2 in your picture is the coolant system pressure cap which on the R50 Cooper and One is on top of the thermostat housing. (See diagram link below 11 and 10). It is ok to add coolant here but easier to add it to the unpressurised expansion tank for top ups, where the max/min level is visible on the tank.
RealOEM.com BMW R50 Cooper Waterpump - Thermostat
(They still call it a 'radiator cap' even though it is no longer on the radiator of most modern cars.......)

[JohnnyC]

Incidentally, any know where the radiator cap is on the R53 ?

I can't see it anywhere

[XRV848]

the radiator cap on the R53 CooperS is on the expansion bottle. The whole system is pressurised.

[JohnnyC]

Quote: Originally Posted by XRV848 (original)

the radiator cap on the R53 CooperS is on the expansion bottle. The whole system is pressurised.

How do you mean 'on' the expansion bottle?

Every car I've owned has had a separate radiator cap and expansion bottle.