E90 N52 Engine Coolant Change

E90 N52 Engine Coolant Change
ENINTY
04-04-2009

Coolant DYI

So I finally got around to changing the coolant in my 325i. I didn’t take any pictures (sorry) because I didn’t want to dirty up my nice camera, and anyway I left it in the trunk and realized it after I had the car in the air and the coolant was draining. I’ll be...

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#44

By Stangorang on 04-02-2011, 08:27 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mag12000x

"What does the actual venting procedure do?"

Venting or "Bleeding" (Bentley Manual) is the system designed in the E9X to flush out any trapped air in the engine cooling system. Without it, you can cause damage to the engine by allowing it to run and creating "hot spots".

"Should the bleed screw be open while the pump is in the venting mode and running?"

No, the bleed screw should be opened for refilling purpose only, closed during 12minute bleeding cycle.

"I changed my coolant out and have run the venting procedure twice now, but my temps seem to be slightly higher than I recall before I did the flush."

What car do you have?, How are you checking your temperature? The E90 330i doesn't come with a temp gauge....

I understand the purpose of the venting procedure, but I don't understand how it actually accomplishes the venting.

I am basing my temps off the oil temps.

Vented twice at this point, oh well.

#45

By Reflex_NL on 04-04-2011, 02:22 PM

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I initiated the venting cycle as a check to see if the pumping is working correctly and noticed in the beginning the pump spinning in small cycles (on... off...on...off) and saw small, intermittent steams of water being pumped into the reservoir (by opening the coolant refill cap during the process). After 5 minutes it looked more like a wash cycle with the pump running constantly... did any of notice the same behavior?

#46

By Stangorang on 04-04-2011, 02:25 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflex_NL

Same. It's normal.

#47

By Reflex_NL on 04-04-2011, 03:03 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangorang

Same. It's normal.

Thanks for letting me but the cycle didn't stop after 12 min.... not even after 30 min...

still ok?

#48

By Stangorang on 04-04-2011, 03:05 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflex_NL

Thanks for letting me but the cycle didn't stop after 12 min.... not even after 30 min...

still ok?

Should stop after 12 mins. Also probably shouldn't be opening the cap during the process.

#49

By ENINTY on 04-05-2011, 09:39 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

I have 2. I have the very early e90 (built date April 05). Look at number 3.

I was digging around in my computer today and found a picture I took of my radiator. One (1) drain...

Attached Images

#50

By txusa03 on 04-05-2011, 10:10 PM

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That is odd for manufacturer to do that, I believed you even without the photo. I just dont have a clue why bmw would do that. Try putting your vin in Realoem and see what comes up in their system.

#51

By check_012 on 04-06-2011, 03:54 AM

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venting

hi I recently change my t-stat and replace the old coolant. I was wondering if venting is required in this procedure coz I was not able to do so., and is this the reason why I still have the SES even if I already erase it with the code reader. Please help/advice. Thanks.

#52

By ENINTY on 04-06-2011, 11:47 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

That is odd for manufacturer to do that, I believed you even without the photo. I just dont have a clue why bmw would do that. Try putting your vin in Realoem and see what comes up in their system.

I did run my VIN, it comes up with the same picture you posted. I didn't think you didn't believe me, I just wanted to confirm for myself really, because I've been working on cars all my life (since before I could drive) and I was worried I was getting senile. Maybe it was a production change around the time my car was built in April 2006, and I just got an old one. I guess the only issue I have is it takes longer to drain.

#53

By gino58 on 04-08-2011, 02:57 PM

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2 radiator drain plugs

I got Sept 2005 build E90 auto, zsp and also has 2 drain plugs. Just did coolant drain a week ago at 57K. venting procedure took 12 minutes as Eninty said.

#54

By ENINTY on 04-10-2011, 08:03 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gino58

I got Sept 2005 build E90 auto, zsp and also has 2 drain plugs. Just did coolant drain a week ago at 57K. venting procedure took 12 minutes as Eninty said.

Now maybe you are on to something I didn't think of; my car has a manual transmission, maybe the auto trans cars have two drains????

#55

By bumere90 on 04-10-2011, 09:37 PM

I have the same radiator with one drain whole

#56

By check_012 on 04-12-2011, 04:13 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by check_012

- I did the venting process., and SES code is gone! tap some coolant about (1500ml) thanks ENINTY for the post.

#57

By txusa03 on 04-21-2011, 07:01 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Now maybe you are on to something I didn't think of; my car has a manual transmission, maybe the auto trans cars have two drains????

I have a manual btw...

#58

By ENINTY on 04-21-2011, 11:16 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

I have a manual btw...

Then all I can say is

#59

By Tmaccus on 05-16-2011, 09:39 PM

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how much coolant should I buy?

#60

By AlanAZ on 05-16-2011, 11:28 PM

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1 gallon is more than enough (BMW coolant - should run about $21) and a gallon of distilled water. Mix 50/50 outside of the radiator, I used a large empty water container. [Coolant is toxic, make sure it's not reused for drinking.]

Last edited by AlanAZ; 01-07-2012 at 11:21 AM.

#61

By 335i Pal on 05-22-2011, 04:21 PM

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I have 335i, and I could not find the drain plug when I had it up on the rack. Is it because the intercooler is in the way?

And if the intercooler is in the way, anyone have a write up for how to take that out?

#62

By Tmaccus on 05-28-2011, 07:45 PM

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Do you leave reservoir bleed open or close when you are done with the entire process? I mean after you're done flushing and everything.

My camry had a hole so extra coolant can escape. If you close everything, is it okay?

#63

By Tmaccus on 05-29-2011, 10:10 AM

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The color of coolant that came out of my car was dark green. Is this normal from the factory?

#64

By ENINTY on 05-30-2011, 07:39 AM

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Yes. BMW coolant is very deep colored bluish green and in some light conditions looks dark green.

#65

By ENINTY on 05-30-2011, 07:43 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmaccus

You only open the bleed screw during the re-fill procedure, then you close it when bleeding the air from the system and keep it close thereafter. After the bleed procedure is completed you open the reservior cap to leat any air escape, then top off the coolant level, then close the cap.

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