Reply to Thread

Go buy a consumer reports

Re: Those crazy Germans, have to do things

Do you have any statistics to support your assertion many of BMW auto transmission fail in view of the fact you never own one? I am bored and I'd like to know.
AIM: yaofeng4249
'95 525i 5 speed built 5/94 w/93 m50tu engine
'95 540ia built 7/94, converted to 6 speed w/93 e32 M60 4.0L Nikasil engine
'01 540it, built 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, built 9/02

Those crazy Germans, have to do things

their own way.

Not having had any BMWs with an auto, I've never seen how they cool their transmissions. Wonder if inadequate cooling is one of the reasons that many of their autos fail? shrug.

Re: Auto cooling tubes transfer oil, not coolant

The coolant hose hard pipes to the transmission cooler on the M60B40 engine. here are a few more pictures.

The cooler is aluminum. The pipes are not.


The nuts for sure are not.


A third shot.

AIM: yaofeng4249
'95 525i 5 speed built 5/94 w/93 m50tu engine
'95 540ia built 7/94, converted to 6 speed w/93 e32 M60 4.0L Nikasil engine
'01 540it, built 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, built 9/02

Auto cooling tubes transfer oil, not coolant

What cooling system part is steel?

Re: Very TIMELY advice - only 5 years late

Okay, now you have dredged the mud up let's keep it that way. I don't know the presence of various metals in contact with a particular coolant other than BMW's will be harmful to the engine. I rather doubt it. I myself use nothing but Prestone green coolant in 50/50 proportion on my fleet.

The M60 engine may not have any steel in contact with the coolant. At least one part of the cooling system on the engine has some steel so it nullifies your argument.

Tell me what the hard pipes to the automatic transmission cooler are made of. I am very sure they are not made of aluminum. I removed them during the 6 speed conversion.

AIM: yaofeng4249
'95 525i 5 speed built 5/94 w/93 m50tu engine
'95 540ia built 7/94, converted to 6 speed w/93 e32 M60 4.0L Nikasil engine
'01 540it, built 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, built 9/02

Very TIMELY advice - only 5 years late

And it's wrong, too. There is no steel in an aluminum block M60 engine (all bolts are not "wet" since they're sealed by the head gasket.)

Re: Stealer told me use BMW coolant or car will die

I am as cheap as anyone, but use the BMW Antifreeze. I have researched had formed these observations. In you engine and cooling system you have Aluminum, Copper, Steel and coolant. I am convinced the use of coolants that contain nitrites and phosphates will develop Electrolysis in your cooling system. The sacrificial metal will be copper in your head gasket. The copper in your head gasket will dissolve and migrate and deposit within the engine.

In boats a Zink block is used as a sacrificial metal to protect the brass bushing, and other soft metals in the boat. The salt water act as the medium which attacks the Zink block. The Zerex G05 cost $14.99 per gallon at Car Quest and BMW is $16.36. The savings is negligible and the risk is real. The Zerex contains no phosphates but for a $1:37 savings why bother.

I would suggest using the BMW coolant and save money on something else.

Good luck,

Mike

Re: Zerex G-05, Pre-MIx and G48, all same or what?

G05 (sold in stores) and G48 are both hoat coolants, but the G05 is fully-formulated, or precharged with additives (usually nitrites) for diesel/HD engines. The BMW coolant does not contain nitrites or any HD additives. It says on the BMW bottle that nitrites (and some other things) result in deposit formation. I know that you will have big problems if you attempt to operate a diesel engine without the HD additives. I doubt though, that using the HD coolant in gasoline engines will hurt anything (G05 is used in Daimler Chrysler cars). My opinion is that it really doesn't matter what type of coolant you use, as long as you only use one type, keep it topped up, and replace it when recommended.

Yes, avoid the orange stuff

BMW antifreeze is phosphate- and Nitrite-free.

Apparently because of the hard water often found in Europe, the minerals in their water reacts w/ phosphates and nitrites to cause the dreaded white schmooey gunk build-up. I suppose if you use distilled water, it shouldn't make much of a difference.

That being said, I use BMW blue...

Mark
'95 M3 (60th US-spec E36M3 built)
'95 525iT

Zerex G-05, Pre-MIx and G48, all same or what?

Zerex® Pre-Mix 50/50 antifreeze coolant is a universal ethylene glycol-based formulation. It is ready to use without adding water and is suitable for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy duty vehicles. The formulation is designed for both gasoline and diesel engines and has a service life of up to five years or 100,000 miles. Its patented lowsilicate formulation protects all cooling system metals from corrosion, including aluminum.

Valvoline’s Zerex G 48 antifreeze coolant is a universal ethylene glycol-based formulation suitable for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. The formulation is designed for both gasoline and diesel engines. Its low-silicate, low pH, phosphate free European technology protects all cooling system metals, including aluminum, from corrosion.

Valvoline’s Zerex G 05 antifreeze coolant is a long life, universal ethylene glycol-based formulation suitable for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy duty vehicles. The formulation is designed for both gasoline and diesel engines. Its lower-silicate, low pH, phosphate free European technology protects all cooling system metals, including aluminum, from corrosion. Zerex G 05 is a precharged coolant designed to protect diesel engine cylinder liners from cavitation. It contains a reduced silicate level for universal compatibility.

Depending upon auto manufactured approval....

It seems as consumers we are at the mercy of the chemical companies and products, which are imposed by auto manufactures to use or else our cars will demise.

Other than stealer, where can you buy G-48?

BMW coolant is NOT Zerex G-05...

In the U.S., BMW coolant (blue stuff) is Vavoline Zerex G48:

https://www.valvoline-technology.com/data/VALV/ValvExtSecurity.nsf/fsZerex?OpenFrameSet

Use Zerex G-05 mixed with distilled water...

this coolant is silicate and phosphate free, which is same as BMW coolant.

No doubt many people have used it without a

problem, or they wouldn't even be able to keep it on the market. However, based on the words of the class action suit, and other reports from mechanics, there also have to be a lot of people with major problems from using Dexcool.

I simply would not consider taking that chance and feel that everybody needs to know that there is some risk with using it.

****_Schneiders
2, 1991 525iA's

I have run Havoline Dex-cool without incident...

for several years in an M20, 325is. I used it due a Suburban, and not wanting to buy two brands. I think if you flush the system good, and maintain your antifreeze (don't try to get 5 years from it) you will probably have no problems. I also only mix with distilled water. That being said I will stay with major brand green stuff in the 525i.

Jeff
94 525i
87 325is

my advice...Why chance it? not many more $$$...

also 10% BMW discount at most dealers will reduce even more...What??Not a member? Get you some of that!!!

Zerex G-05

OEM coolant equivalent for MB. ~$10 a gallon.