[allenct]

Trying to do my 2 year coolant change and I noticed that I couldn't find my radiator or engine drain plug. I have worked on BMW's before, but despite my search, no plugs. Also, anyone else noticed that there is NO room to work on these engines. Any help is appreciated.

[GarySL]

Oil drain plug? Look inside small trap door. You'll need ramps to change it though. Like you said NO room.

Good luck.

[Bartman619]

You may have to drop the whole undertray. That's what I had to do on my e36. The plug is either a blue or green in color if my remember correctly. Hope this helps.

[allenct]

I am referring to the engine coolant drain plugs. Not the oil. I did drop the undercover and still can not find the radiator plug. Anyone who has drained their coolant, I could use your help.

[Bartman619]

That's what I meant...the coolant drain plug is usually on the bottom part of the radiator. It ususally has a phillip type head on the plug for easy removal. If you can't see the plug from the top of the engine bay and reach it...you may have to go underneath the car...remove the front splash guard or the whole undertray to access the coolant plug.

[Bartman619]

Sorry about my last post allenct...didn't get to read the one you had before. I'm a little miffed now...I'm gonna try tomorrow and see, since I'm changing oil. The only other thing I can think of is maybe removiing the lower radiator hose and draining from there.

[Bartman619]

Check out this link alenct...# 3 is the coolant plug..


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...80&hg=17&fg=05

[allenct]

Thanks Batman. Even with that picture from realoem the drain plug is avoiding me. I think I can feel the engine drain plug but barely enough room for even my hand. If you see the plug, let me know.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by allenct

Trying to do my 2 year coolant change and I noticed that I couldn't find my radiator or engine drain plug. I have worked on BMW's before, but despite my search, no plugs. Also, anyone else noticed that there is NO room to work on these engines. Any help is appreciated.

Why are you doing it? This is covered under the maintenance warranty and I think it's every 3 years not 2.

[ENINTY]

I've been meaning to look at doing the coolent change but I haven't got around to it yet. Anyway, this is the best picture I have of what is under the engine belly pan. I think you need to remove the front under panel, which will reveal the drains for the radiator.

[Bartman619]

Sorry alenct...I ran out of time during the oil change and had to go to work. I wanted to drop the front tray under the radiator....like what ENINTY said...but it would have added another hour or so. It looks like that splash panel on the picture posted needs to be removed to access the coolant drain plug.

[txusa03]

I cant seem to locate mine either on a e90 330. Why bmw make this process such a pita?

[allenct]

chaulk one up for BMW. This process is now so complicated, taking it to the dealer sounds reasonable. You have to remove the underpanel and the front part of the grill to get to the radiator where the drain is. After this, you have to stick your hand up behind the headers and feel for the 19mm bolt. No way are you going to see it. BMW is doing their best to make routine maintenance and repairs undoable

[ENINTY]

The radiator drain is under the pastic panel on the left side of the radiator; it's a blue plastic screw valve.

To remove the plastic panel, you first need to remove the engine belly pan. Then remove two more 8MM screws and the brackets. Slightly push the panel forward and the gently pull down. (refer to my picture in my previous post).

I checked all over the engine block and I did not see any coolant drain. I don't think there is one. The best I saw was a hose going from the engine block to the water pump; the hose can be removed from the water pump right above the steering rack. That would drain the block.

The vent screw to vent air from the system is the small + headed screw on top of the coolant reservoir; it's in line with the small hose, it's right next to the cap.

Sorry I don't have pictures, but I took them in high res so they are too big to upload (I got a new camera). Next time I have the car up in the air I'll take some lower res pictures.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

Why are you doing it? This is covered under the maintenance warranty and I think it's every 3 years not 2.

Let me ask the question again. Why would you do all this work yourself when it's covered under the warranty?

[Placey]

After 2003 the rating on the coolant is "lifetime" and is not a recommended maintenance item. Therefore changing the coolant is not a warranty maintenance Item.

[Placey]

Draining and adding coolant (N54)

Warning!
Danger of scalding!
These tasks on the cooling system should only be carried out on an engine that has cooled down!

Important!
Lifetime coolant filling:
Never reuse used coolant!
When replacing and removing components which rely on the corrosion protection effect of the coolant, it is essential to change the coolant. The cooling system must therefore be drained and refilled.
In the case of other removal work involving the draining of partial quantities of coolant, replace these quantities which have been drained with new coolant.
Installation:
Use only recommended coolant.
Observe mixture ratio.

Protective measures/rules of conduct:
• Wear protective goggles
• Wear protective gloves
• Observe national/country-specific regulations


Important!
Risk of slipping due to coolant on the floor.
Danger of injury!
Catch and dispose of drained coolant in drip tray (1) and if necessary special tool 00 2 030 (universal hydraulic lifter).
Recycling:
Observe country-specific waste-disposal regulations.

Necessary preliminary tasks:
• Follow instructions for working on cooling system
• Remove intercooler


Draining coolant:
Open cap (1) on coolant expansion tank (2).
Installation:
Close cap (1) until the arrow marks line up.

Release drain plug (1).
Drain, catch and dispose of coolant.
Installation:
• Replace sealing ring.
• Tightening torque 17 11 2AZ.


Unfasten and detach coolant hose (1) from thermostat housing.
Drain, catch and dispose of coolant.

Note:
Adding coolant:
Use only recommended coolant.
Observe mixture ratio.
Observe filling capacities.
Observe venting instructions without fail.
Fill and vent cooling system

------------------------------------------------------------

[Placey]

"THERE IS A SPECIFIC BLEEDING PROCEDURE THAT MUST BE PERFORMED AS THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP THAT NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY BLED."!!!!

Adding coolant:
Note:
Open vent screw (1).
Fill coolant expansion tank up to lower edge of filler neck with recommended coolant.
Observe mixture ratio.
Close bleed screw (1).
Close cap on expansion tank.
Installation:
Have a cleaning cloth ready and mop up emerging coolant.

Only when venting!
Note:
Do not open the coolant expansion tank cap during the venting procedure.
1. Connect battery charger.
2. Switch on ignition.
3. Set heater to maximum temperature and turn fan down to lowest speed.
4. Press accelerator pedal for 10 seconds to floor. Engine must not be started.
5. The venting procedure is started when the accelerator pedal is pressed and takes approx. 12 minutes.(Electric coolant pump was activated and shuts down automatically after approx. 12 minutes).
6. Then top up fill level in coolant expansion tank with 100 ml above max (see illustration).
7. Check cooling system for leaks.
8. If venting has to be carried out again (e.g. if cooling system is leaking), allow DME to fall completely (leave ignition key removed for approx. 3 minutes), then repeat from Point 3.


Only when venting!
Perform filling operation slowly.
Fill coolant expansion tank with 100 ml above max.
100 ml corresponds to A=6 mm.

[txusa03]

switch on ignition?

How is this done again with the fob anyone?

So when you vent, where does the air in the system escape to since you are not suppose to open expansion tank cap and the whole coolant system is pressurized?

[Placey]

Its not like many other manufacturers systems, this system is pretty well designed. The expansion tank is the highest point of the system, therefore when the water pump is running, the air in the system will be trapped into the upper portion of the expansion tank. when it exceeds the 16lbs of pressure, the air is bled off through the cap.

The bleed procedure cycles the water pump at different cycles, therefore making sure the air pockets work their way out (electric as these engines done have a pulley driven pump)

[ENINTY]

Placey,

Thanks for the info. Based on what Ive seen of the system it sounds like the correct procedure.

Mr. BMW - Coolant changes are not covered under warranty.

[vincentsuraci]

thanks