How to perform a complete coolant drain and fill on your BMW. This is a complete video explaining all steps involved to successfully perform this repair your…
How to perform a complete coolant drain and fill on your BMW. This is a complete video explaining all steps involved to successfully perform this repair your…
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Correct. That step is not part of a normal coolant flush and fill. If you
are removing the cylinder head and want to drain the block the bolt can be
removed. It is much harder to fill when you do a flush with this bolt
removed. More air pockets can develop and make this flush much harder with
potential overheating problems. What is left in the block will mix with the
new fluid. Since there is more fresh fluid than old fluid the freeze point
and health of the fluid is fine without this added work
This procedure will work with your E36 as well. You should have a bleed
screw. Remove and consider replacement as they can get brittle. Fill until
it overflows then install. Top off. Run the engine monitoring the temp to
prevent any overheat. Run the heat on high full heat to help clear out the
heater core. Then let cool and top off as needed. 🙂
Again thanks for your help
one of the problems with the plastic bleeder screw is that if the engine
and coolant get hot all the parts expand and tighten up, thus manipulating
it when it is hot will require more torque which then snaps it.
You are definitely correct. Also I have had them snap just from age. Nice
inexpensive part to add into any repairs including a bleeding needing to be
done. Thanks for the comment. The surfing looks fun!
Hello, If you repaced the heater core you have to bleed the air out with
the heater on which can take some time. For a water pump or thermostat you
only need to bleed with the screw until it runs clear with no bubbles. I
like to then start the engine and it is a good idea to turn the heat on.
Bring the vehcile up to temperature and then let it sit for a short bit to
cool down. Then recheck the coolant level. Usually they need a small top
off or no coolant at all 🙂
Very confusing! Allthough ur video is clear.. it seems like eatch person
has his own method to drain en refill, top and bleed the coolant system of
a BMW… I saw u draining the coolant wihtout opening the bleed screw.. am
i correct? Why do people always say open ur bleed screw to drain the
coolant faster.. this also sooms to be true. By opening this bleedscrew
they suck in air 2. So can u get this air out with ur bleedmethod?
Hello Matt, On your BMW you will have the M54 engine. This vehicle has a
mechanical water pump so you do not need to do the electrical bleed
procedure. For you, all you need to do is drain and fill with the bleeder
screw open. When it overflows from the bleeder screw then install the
plastic screw. Carefull not to overtighen. Then topp off the rest of the
way. Let it come up to correct temp at idle monitoring the temp. Then let
cool and topp off if needed. 🙂
Hello, the procedure should be very similar. Your vehicle does not have an
electric water pump. You would have the M54 engine like on my E46. To fill
this system after a repair simply open the bleeder screw and fill until it
over flows. Then re-install and topp off. If the engine block was drained
you should run the engine with the cap off until the thermostat opens after
the fill using the bleeder screw. Then let it cool down and recheck the
level and topp off as needed. 🙂
Excellent video and information. Nowhere else have I found the instruction
to push the gas pedal down. How I wish I had my laptop on my workbench. I
did the bleed procedure with the bleed screw and radiator cap off, and what
a gusher of coolant it produced!
great vid
With the bleed screw open it would allow the coolant to drain faster. The
coolant is being replaced by air. Filling the system until it overflows
from the bleed screw then allows the air to escape and coolant to take its
place. You can also squeeze the upper radiator hose to get some extra air
out.
Hello, I have a 525i 1995, AND I CAN NOT FIND THE DRAIN PLUG. i have been
trying all morning, i am a 21 year old girl. and i really need help
Thank you for the quick reply. Great video by the way! Thor, Norway
Once again, a good and a useful video for me since I will do this on my
e39. My car thermos. failed so I have to replace it for smog inspection
soon. Interesting about your commenting the last step for older bmws. Don’t
I need to crank engine and heater on full to bleed air outta the system?
Thx for u fast reply! Actually i already knew what u would say but i liked
ur video and wanted to clear some possible questions for people who will
watch this. Another one 😀 since i probably have a mechanical water pump..
I dont need ur 10sec floor the pedal method. But is it true that turning
the key in pos 1 and min ventilator and max heat will help air get out of
the system? U also have 3 buttons on the right..FRONT/airco/BACK heater.
Does the airco button has to be on to circulate the H2O?
Hello Bill, Thank you for the great comment. Pressing on the gas pedal and
the temperature on the heater control at the highest temp but lowest blower
speed are part of the bleed procedure for vehicles with the electronic
water pump. This gets the water pump to run to purge all the air out. I
have had a few gush as well. It can get pretty exciting at times.
Especially when the head gasket has an issue 🙂
Thanks for your video. My question: This procedure for a e36 from 1992
apply? When doing the bleeding, the engine have to be running or stopped?
Thanks
Hello, The procedure is basically the same on all BMW’s. You may need to
remove the lower radiator hose to drain and make sure to replace the bleed
screw due to age.
I have a 2001 X5 would I follow this same procedure to bleed water pump?
I noticed you didn’t flush the engine block of coolant. Is that step
important?
Hi! How do I know if I have the electronic water pump you talk about? I
have BMW E46 2003 (made in nov 2002) 320 Diesel Touring. Thanks, Thor
Hello Sandra, You want to use the blue coolant which is an ethylene glycol
base. You do not want to mix coolants as they can condensate and create
clogging. I think most part stores will have a coolant that will be
compatible.
It may be that the coolant has not been mixed properly. I have seen the
coolant itself break down. Start with a full flush of the system with the
ethylene glycol mix 50 50 ratio.
Hi Experts, how to change coolant on bmw 645ci? thanks
Hello Rachel, On your BMW you might not have a drain plug in the radiator.
The cheat is to remove the lower radiator hose and drain the coolant this
way. Then re-install the hose and fill and bleed.
Thank you for the great comment 🙂
Thank you expert. I was told by they used a universal good quaily coolant
but it was not blue it was green / yellow not sure how to describe the
exact color I am worried my BMW will have problems 🙁 thanks again u r nice
to take the time to reply 🙂
hi what is another alternative if u don’t have BMW Coolant. Thanks
Good questions:) If air had gotten into the heater core turning the heat on
full defrost is best to help purge the air from the heater core. The only
thing in position 1 with max heat and vent would be if you have an
auxillary coolant pump. This will make the pump run and help purge some air
from the system.
Hello Thor, This should be a mechanical pump on your diesel that is run off
the belts. Just a normal bleeding will be needed. Best wishes.
Hello Sandra, Due to it be “universal” you should be okay. Read over the
label to see if it was compatible. If not then a full flush and correct
fluid should be used. Best wishes 🙂
Hi guys. I have just bought an E46 318i Auto saloon (2003). Its running
great fine except a little rough idling. Question is I just checked the
coolant reservoir and found light brown liquid in there mixed with coolant.
The engine oil cap and dipstick are perfectly clean with golden oil so I
don’t understand the issue. Some say it might be a blown gasket or it could
be transmission oil mixing with the coolant. Any ideas? I’m so upset as
wasn’t there when purchased 5 days ago… 🙁 thanks!
i’m about to change the coolant on my bmw x5 2003 3.0L and was going to use
this as a guide. How do i find out what kind of engine is in there? Do i do
the electronic bleed procedure like you did at the end? THanks, great video
Hello bennyz, Sorry for the delay. Just getting caught up on all my
projects 🙂 Work has also be very draining lately. Your T-stat location
depends on your engine. Can you post your year and engine or the last seven
of the VIN number?
@AskTheCarExperts ask this works for E36 coupes ?
Hi expert, Like Your video it’s full information, hope you do more, my X5
just fail smog on Coolant Temp (thermostat), Where can I find the
thermostat and do I need to flush the coolant?
Thank you for watching and the great comment!