Radiator Venting Issue

Fpaliwala · 12-23-2012, 08:22 PM

I just did a radiator drain and refill based on the DIY write up. The issue I'm having is that I cannot get the water pump to vent. I put the key in hit the ignition button(with foot off the brake) set the heater to max(84 degrees) on the lowest fan setting than push the accelerator to the floor for 10 sec, but nothing happens. All i hear is the air coming from the vent. I get under the car and listen to the water pump and hear nothing. Anybody have any ideas or suggestion on what I'm doing wrong. I have a 2006 325i if that helps.

fenixxishot · 12-23-2012, 08:25 PM

seems immaterial but when I did the venting process I did not turn on the A/C

Fpaliwala · 12-23-2012, 10:23 PM

Tried it with the A/C off still nothing. Does the water pump have a fuse?

fenixxishot · 12-23-2012, 10:35 PM

Does a 325i have an electric water pump? I thought they put electric water pumps in the cars that have turbos so the pump could continue to run after the car is turned off. If you don't have an electric pump then you can't vent anything until you turn the car on.

Fpaliwala · 12-23-2012, 10:46 PM

Yep its electric. there is no pulley or belt attached to it.

mike3000fl · 12-23-2012, 11:00 PM

you might be doing it right, take off the expansion tank cap and see if it is flowing. You will see coolant pissing in the tank from where the small hose attaches to the top near the cap.

make sure the car is not hot when you take the cap off (obviously).

if it works, put the cap on and let it finish the vent cycle.

Fpaliwala · 12-23-2012, 11:04 PM

I did that and there is absolutely no movement in the expansion tank. Could I just start the car and bleed like you would do with a car that doesn't have an electric water pump?

mike3000fl · 12-23-2012, 11:07 PM

The old way involved the vent screw with the X on it. Loosen it and run the car while waiting for all the bubbles to quit coming out, then tighten.

I would rather try to get the vent cycle to work right though, assuming your water pump is good, somewhere you are doing something wrong. If you are doing everything right, then the pump is bad.

I would try it different ways, press and hold button etc, hold gas pedal longer etc. see what gets it to work.

Fpaliwala · 12-23-2012, 11:11 PM

just to be clear this is what I'm doing right now:

put key in
hit ignition button on(foot off brake and accelerator)
turn temp to 84 degrees
put fan on lowest setting
push accelerator for 10 sec and release

Can you please verify that this is the correct procedure?

12-23-2012, 08:22 PM	#1
Fpaliwala New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Radiator Venting Issue I just did a radiator drain and refill based on the DIY write up. The issue I'm having is that I cannot get the water pump to vent. I put the key in hit the ignition button(with foot off the brake) set the heater to max(84 degrees) on the lowest fan setting than push the accelerator to the floor for 10 sec, but nothing happens. All i hear is the air coming from the vent. I get under the car and listen to the water pump and hear nothing. Anybody have any ideas or suggestion on what I'm doing wrong. I have a 2006 325i if that helps.
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12-23-2012, 08:25 PM	#2
fenixxishot Lieutenant 17 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 08 335i e92 AW MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (8)	seems immaterial but when I did the venting process I did not turn on the A/C
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12-23-2012, 10:23 PM	#3
Fpaliwala New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Tried it with the A/C off still nothing. Does the water pump have a fuse?
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12-23-2012, 10:35 PM	#4
fenixxishot Lieutenant 17 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 08 335i e92 AW MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (8)	Does a 325i have an electric water pump? I thought they put electric water pumps in the cars that have turbos so the pump could continue to run after the car is turned off. If you don't have an electric pump then you can't vent anything until you turn the car on.
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12-23-2012, 10:46 PM	#5
Fpaliwala New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Yep its electric. there is no pulley or belt attached to it.
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12-23-2012, 11:00 PM	#6
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	you might be doing it right, take off the expansion tank cap and see if it is flowing. You will see coolant pissing in the tank from where the small hose attaches to the top near the cap. make sure the car is not hot when you take the cap off (obviously). if it works, put the cap on and let it finish the vent cycle.
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12-23-2012, 11:04 PM	#7
Fpaliwala New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I did that and there is absolutely no movement in the expansion tank. Could I just start the car and bleed like you would do with a car that doesn't have an electric water pump?
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12-23-2012, 11:07 PM	#8
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	The old way involved the vent screw with the X on it. Loosen it and run the car while waiting for all the bubbles to quit coming out, then tighten. I would rather try to get the vent cycle to work right though, assuming your water pump is good, somewhere you are doing something wrong. If you are doing everything right, then the pump is bad. I would try it different ways, press and hold button etc, hold gas pedal longer etc. see what gets it to work.
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12-23-2012, 11:11 PM	#9
Fpaliwala New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	just to be clear this is what I'm doing right now: put key in hit ignition button on(foot off brake and accelerator) turn temp to 84 degrees put fan on lowest setting push accelerator for 10 sec and release Can you please verify that this is the correct procedure?
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