<![CDATA['08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE]]>(My Mom's car) This all began last week when the crazy cold set in. Coolant light came on and started running rough. It didn't overheat. I was only 1/4 mi away from her condo so it wasn't driven far. Checked level and was just below min. Added small amount of 50/50. It started fine then but had a somewhat brief minimal rough idle. 4-5 days later I went to leave and it immediately was really rough and sputtering and the coolant light came on right away. No overheat. I was only 300ft away from the driveway and it wasn't easy to get it back there because it stalled a few times. Coolant level was fine and no visible leak or residue evidence from what I could view around the expansion tank. I tried to start it yesterday and it started but was still running very rough and there was some smoky exhaust briefly. It isn't driveable. :o

All knowledge and comments are most welcome!

**We need some additional trusted repair shop referrals in the Madison/immediate surrounding area. The few shops we know of/use are booked til after Thanksgiving. : /

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/3267/08-535xi-coolant-light-on-and-running-very-rough-not-driveableRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 04:02:50 GMTFri, 21 Nov 2014 19:32:49 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:29:23 GMT]]>

FullThrottle e46 said:

Yep top light. Is it easy to check that sender? Would it have come up as a fault and show on the BMW OBD reader/tool/apparatus/thingy? The guy did a scan I'm pretty sure. We're picking up the car in a few hrs so I'll hear it all straight from the horses mouth. Talk soon.

Its likely a on/off sensor, two wire, it would be easy to check, and it might not show up on a scanner

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50608https://wibimmers.com/post/50608Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:29:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:21:27 GMT]]>

tsweers89 said:

Do you have the software to run codes and diagnose the issue? As it could be a HDP that is causing the misfires also. What about initializing the new injectors? DO you have oem bmw sftware to do this?

I was planning on scanning and trouble shooting it myself to find the issues if there are others

And yes, i have the software to code the tolerance numbers to the dme

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50607https://wibimmers.com/post/50607Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:21:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:39:53 GMT]]>Hit up Bobdudeman. He can do this at probably a better price. Check out his threads in services. He does great work. And is a n54 owner himself. He can also blast your intake.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50603https://wibimmers.com/post/50603Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:39:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:21:23 GMT]]>Yep top light. Is it easy to check that sender? Would it have come up as a fault and show on the BMW OBD reader/tool/apparatus/thingy? The guy did a scan I'm pretty sure. We're picking up the car in a few hrs so I'll hear it all straight from the horses mouth. Talk soon.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50600https://wibimmers.com/post/50600Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:21:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:18:13 GMT]]>

Bobdudeman1988 said:

The top light in my post was on? If its full could be a bad coolant level sender, as long as ita full and no overheat id bet its alright. Let me know about the recall and if you need me to install injectors for you,

Do you have the software to run codes and diagnose the issue? As it could be a HDP that is causing the misfires also. What about initializing the new injectors? DO you have oem bmw sftware to do this?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50599https://wibimmers.com/post/50599Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:18:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:52:23 GMT]]>The top light in my post was on? If its full could be a bad coolant level sender, as long as ita full and no overheat id bet its alright. Let me know about the recall and if you need me to install injectors for you,

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50598https://wibimmers.com/post/50598Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:52:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:40:40 GMT]]>My apologies, somehow the beginning of my last post is missing. To clear up any confusion I started with this:

"I started the car and it was a bit rough and 1/4 mi away from home the coolant light came on so I turned around and came right back home. I parked it in the garage where it is level."

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50588https://wibimmers.com/post/50588Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:40:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:27:34 GMT]]>

FullThrottle e46 said:

The coolant light and after it first came on I checked the level in the expansion tank (engine was cold-car had been in garage 24hrs prior). The bobber's top ball was not quite level with the top of the opening of the expansion tank (indicating that it was not quite at the minimum level that it should be). So I added 50/50 up to the max indicator (where the lower ball on the bobber is level with the top of the opening of the expansion tank opening). Then I started it and it was a rough cold start and everything was fine for a few days. I went to start it after it had been in the garage for 24hrs and was even more rough and no sooner than I was 40ft away from the garage the coolant light came on and it was barely idling and stalled. So I got it back to the driveway, which was difficult and it was barely idling. Since the engine was cold I checked the coolant level in the expansion tank and it was at the max. The coolant was still on. There was no visible leak on the garage floor or anywhere under the hood all around the expansion tank and hoses..etc.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50587https://wibimmers.com/post/50587Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:27:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:25:13 GMT]]>The coolant light and after it first came on I checked the level in the expansion tank (engine was cold-car had been in garage 24hrs prior). The bobber's top ball was not quite level with the top of the opening of the expansion tank (indicating that it was not quite at the minimum level that it should be). So I added 50/50 up to the max indicator (where the lower ball on the bobber is level with the top of the opening of the expansion tank opening). Then I started it and it was a rough cold start and everything was fine for a few days. I went to start it after it had been in the garage for 24hrs and was even more rough and no sooner than I was 40ft away from the garage the coolant light came on and it was barely idling and stalled. So I got it back to the driveway, which was difficult and it was barely idling. Since the engine was cold I checked the coolant level in the expansion tank and it was at the max. The coolant was still on. There was no visible leak on the garage floor or anywhere under the hood all around the expansion tank and hoses..etc.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50586https://wibimmers.com/post/50586Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:25:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:33:26 GMT]]>what light came on?

post-3533-0-06479700-1417703468thumb.jp

this one?^ means low coolant

or

post-3533-0-46459700-1417703496thumb.jp

this one?^ means overheating

post-3533-0-85641400-1417703915thumb.jp

^(red color of this light means way overheated)

that could be a water pump on its way out.(all to common on the n5x motors..)

it is normal to top of a car every year or two...but it shouldn't need frequent fill ups on coolant.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50573https://wibimmers.com/post/50573Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:33:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:21:10 GMT]]>I still am confused about why the coolant light was on (no overheat). There wasn't any coolant on the ground or a leak. The level in the expansion tank was at the lower ball which is the minimum. Besides running very rough out of nowhere it would barely idle and was stalling. The mechanic said it started for him (naturally!) and it ran so he drove it around for about 8mi. So what does the coolant light have to do with the fuel injector problem, or doesn't it?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50556https://wibimmers.com/post/50556Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:21:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:37:04 GMT]]>Were are you located? I get employee pricing on parts and have oem isid scanner to initialize the new injectors if that in fact is the issue

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50548https://wibimmers.com/post/50548Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:37:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:27:24 GMT]]>What about the coolant loss?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50531https://wibimmers.com/post/50531Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:27:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:54:06 GMT]]>Update: Head gasket is fine. The cooling system is fine too.

Diagnosis is: fuel injectors and repair estimate is

$1400 from this mechanic and that's with a labor rate of only $75/hr. He said that's what has been causing the shuddering, which is mainly felt when the engine is cold.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50520https://wibimmers.com/post/50520Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:54:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:42:10 GMT]]>How 'bout a dozen.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50443https://wibimmers.com/post/50443Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:42:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:12:09 GMT]]>

FullThrottle e46 said:

Well...we don't have the diagnosis yet : (

It was towed to the shop yesterday and the mechanic said he'd let my Mom know by then end of the day today. I take it a water pump job will be less costly than a head gasket? Are replacement water pumps usually refurbished and not new due to cost? Please educate. Thanks everyone!

if its the head gasket then you all owe me a muffin.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50442https://wibimmers.com/post/50442Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:12:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:10:13 GMT]]>No they haven't. I take it that it's recommended? How much $$?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50441https://wibimmers.com/post/50441Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:10:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:09:03 GMT]]>

jc43089 said:

Have the intake valves ever been blasted?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50440https://wibimmers.com/post/50440Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:09:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:06:02 GMT]]>Well...we don't have the diagnosis yet : (

It was towed to the shop yesterday and the mechanic said he'd let my Mom know by then end of the day today. I take it a water pump job will be less costly than a head gasket? Are replacement water pumps usually refurbished and not new due to cost? Please educate. Thanks everyone!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50439https://wibimmers.com/post/50439Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:06:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 21:57:12 GMT]]>

patsbimmer1 said:

I think he meams on the n54

That makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50126https://wibimmers.com/post/50126Tue, 25 Nov 2014 21:57:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:16:26 GMT]]>It's your water pump. And it's not an easy job to do.

But it's a common thing you'll be okay lol

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50118https://wibimmers.com/post/50118Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:16:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:30:27 GMT]]>I have yet to see a stock n54 blow one lolz

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50091https://wibimmers.com/post/50091Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:30:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:19:39 GMT]]>

jockhater2 said:

lucky. I have personally had 3.

I think he meams on the n54

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50090https://wibimmers.com/post/50090Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:19:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to '08 535xi Coolant light on and running very rough & NOT DRIVEABLE on Mon, 24 Nov 2014 23:14:33 GMT]]>

tsweers89 said:

Doubtful its a headgasket. Have never seen one go bad yet. Get the codes read and go from there.

lucky. I have personally had 3.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/50089https://wibimmers.com/post/50089Mon, 24 Nov 2014 23:14:33 GMT