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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > New coolant problem...



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      11-05-2012, 08:43 PM   #1
N0OS3
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Angry New coolant problem...

So... this JUST happened to me (in the process of getting my car towed home)... my coolant alarm went off for "low coolant" right after i noticed steam coming out of the kidney grills... i pulled over immediately to find coolant RUSHING out of the bottom; pretty much directly where the adjustment screw is ... i'm thinking the 'Radiator Coolant Flow Adjustment Screw' came out... i'm ordering a new one right now and changing up the type of coolant i used... but my question is... why is it called an "Adjustment Screw"?

And if this is the case... it looks like i have some editing to do in my DIY video...

Last edited by N0OS3; 11-07-2012 at 12:56 AM..
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      11-05-2012, 09:30 PM   #2
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It's been a while, but I remember there was two parts to it. The outer shell of it was like a bolt and the inner was a phillips head type. I didn't think too hard when I went to drain the coolant and tried turning the bolt portion....and I heard a crack, like plastic breaking. But all seemed fine as it still seemed to stay on. Then I unscrewed it via the screw head inner portion to drain it. Put everything back together and it was fine for maybe 3 days. Eventually though, it fell out and I had to do roadside maintenance. Luckily I carry safety wire and I was able to safety wire that drain plug on, refill with water and continue driving till I got a new plug. If you tried turning the bolt outer portion, most likely you broke the clips and at that point that plug was just staying on because of friction.....which is not going to work for long.
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      11-06-2012, 12:17 AM   #3
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I see... well, turns out it was in fact the plug that fell out... i ordered a new one already and picked up some fresh coolant.
So, now that you hooked up safety wire to it, is that your final solution? I'm trying not to go about this in any ghetto fashion but i want to be sure the drain plug i'm replacing it with will stay in...

I don't recall breaking any plastic clips when i turned it when taking it off.
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      11-06-2012, 11:19 AM   #4
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If you look at the pic, it's slotted on and only turns clockwise. I tried to take it out (counterclockwise) and snapped the clip. Friction was enough that I thought it was still on. It is very possible that when you tightened it with a screwdriver, you also turned the outer portion enough that the clips lined up with the slot and eventually pressure pushed it out. Examine your old one, it might be fine. Mine was diffidently broken. The safety wire worked great to make sure the old one didn't fall out, but after getting the replacement, of course I did not use safety wire for it again. Although for a few days after that I kept checking to make sure I wasn't dripping any coolant there and also carried around a gallon of distilled water. But it hasn't leaked again and it's been several thousands of miles since.

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      11-06-2012, 06:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Casca View Post
If you look at the pic, it's slotted on and only turns clockwise. I tried to take it out (counterclockwise) and snapped the clip. Friction was enough that I thought it was still on. It is very possible that when you tightened it with a screwdriver, you also turned the outer portion enough that the clips lined up with the slot and eventually pressure pushed it out. Examine your old one, it might be fine. Mine was diffidently broken. The safety wire worked great to make sure the old one didn't fall out, but after getting the replacement, of course I did not use safety wire for it again. Although for a few days after that I kept checking to make sure I wasn't dripping any coolant there and also carried around a gallon of distilled water. But it hasn't leaked again and it's been several thousands of miles since.

So if I have a drain plug like this, do I turn it clockwise to remove it? Since it isn't threaded, how do I know when the slot lines up? Once it is lined up, do I just pull it out?
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      11-06-2012, 11:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad from the OC View Post
So if I have a drain plug like this, do I turn it clockwise to remove it? Since it isn't threaded, how do I know when the slot lines up? Once it is lined up, do I just pull it out?
I forget, it might turn counterclockwise to the point where the clip hits a stop, lining up with the slot and then you can pull it out. When I broke it, I am sure I just cranked on it without paying any attention. Maybe when the OP puts the new part in, he can clear it up.
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      11-07-2012, 12:55 AM   #7
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I've confirmed that i broke off the tabs as shown in the picture below... i guess i just cranked on it too hard thinking it was a bolt and didn't realize it. And this isn't the type of plug that is supposed to be taken off like the old E46 one, this one is permant lock-in... if you must take it out, you HAVE to break the tabs.

If you're going to unscrew the blew part like you're supposed to, i suggest gripping the black part with a set of pliers and twisting the blue screw off with a soda can tab. The coolant draining process is supposed to take FOREVER i suppose...



before i put the new plug in, i'm going to run some plain R.O. water through the system in order to flush out the old coolant and hopefully get the broken tabs out (if they're still in there).
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      11-07-2012, 05:38 AM   #8
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The coolant DIY in the DIY section warns about removing the white nut and to only remove the blue screw.
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      11-07-2012, 08:48 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
The coolant DIY in the DIY section warns about removing the white nut and to only remove the blue screw.
I made an annotation in my DIY video on this also.

I went strictly by the Bentley Publishers Manual; it said to remove the entire stem and replace. O_o' I even pointed it out in my video...
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      11-07-2012, 12:42 PM   #10
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I don't really like that design. Seems really easy to break those tabs and you may possibly break it without knowing just by tightening the screw head portion. Think next time, I am going to plastic weld some notches right next to the opening so I can do a very clean, nice looking safety wire job on it.
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      11-08-2012, 01:17 AM   #11
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Here you go, guys...


Last edited by N0OS3; 11-09-2012 at 11:06 AM..
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      10-05-2014, 09:04 AM   #12
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Does anyone know where I can buy the black piece? All I can find is the blue piece.
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      10-06-2014, 02:45 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyloch View Post
Does anyone know where I can buy the black piece? All I can find is the blue piece.
Don't know where you are looking, but both parts are shown here for my car (Control Sleeve and/or Drain Plug) Items #2 & 3:



ECSTuning:

Drain Plug with Sleeve

P/N 17107523260



http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...23260/ES37547/

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Language: Part 17107523260 (Control sleeve) was found on the following vehicles:

E82: Details on E82
E82 128i Coupe

E82E: Details on E82E
E82E Active e Coupe

E88: Details on E88
E88 128i Convertible

E89: Details on E89
E89 Z4 30i Roadster

E90: Details on E90
E90 323i Sedan
E90 325i Sedan
E90 325xi Sedan
E90 330i Sedan
E90 330xi Sedan
E90 M3 Sedan
E90 328i Sedan
E90 328xi Sedan

E90N: Details on E90N
E90N 323i Sedan
E90N M3 Sedan
E90N 328i Sedan
E90N 328xi Sedan

E91: Details on E91
E91 325xi Touring
E91 328i Touring
E91 328xi Touring

E91N: Details on E91N
E91N 328i Touring
E91N 328xi Touring

E92: Details on E92
E92 328i Coupe
E92 M3 Coupe
E92 328xi Coupe

E92N: Details on E92N
E92N M3 Coupe
E92N 328i Coupe
E92N 328xi Coupe

E93: Details on E93
E93 M3 Convertible
E93 328i Convertible

E93N: Details on E93N
E93N M3 Convertible
E93N 328i Convertible

-OR-

P/N 17117521781



http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...21781/ES38108/

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Language: Part 17117521781 (Control sleeve) was found on the following vehicles:

E82: Details on E82
E82 128i Coupe
E82 135i Coupe

E84: Details on E84
E84 X1 28i SUV
E84 X1 28iX SUV
E84 X1 35iX SUV

E88: Details on E88
E88 135i Convertible
E88 128i Convertible

E89: Details on E89
E89 Z4 30i Roadster
E89 Z4 28i Roadster
E89 Z4 35i Roadster
E89 Z4 35is Roadster

E90: Details on E90
E90 323i Sedan
E90 325i Sedan
E90 325xi Sedan
E90 330i Sedan
E90 330xi Sedan
E90 335i Sedan
E90 335xi Sedan
E90 328i Sedan
E90 328xi Sedan

E90N: Details on E90N
E90N 335d Sedan
E90N 323i Sedan
E90N 335i Sedan
E90N 335xi Sedan
E90N 328i Sedan
E90N 328xi Sedan

E91: Details on E91
E91 325xi Touring
E91 328i Touring
E91 328xi Touring

E91N: Details on E91N
E91N 328i Touring
E91N 328xi Touring

E92: Details on E92
E92 328i Coupe
E92 335i Coupe
E92 335xi Coupe
E92 328xi Coupe

E92N: Details on E92N
E92N 335i Coupe
E92N 335is Coupe
E92N 335xi Coupe
E92N 328i Coupe
E92N 328xi Coupe

E93: Details on E93
E93 335i Convertible
E93 328i Convertible

E93N: Details on E93N
E93N 335i Convertible
E93N 335is Convertible
E93N 328i Convertible

Drain Plug ONLY

P/N 17117530902



http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Site...30902/ES38122/

RealOEM.com Home

Language: Part 17117530902 (Drain plug radiator) was found on the following vehicles:

E82: Details on E82
E82 128i Coupe
E82 135i Coupe
E82 M Coupé Coupe

E82E: Details on E82E
E82E Active e Coupe

E84: Details on E84
E84 X1 28i SUV
E84 X1 28iX SUV
E84 X1 35iX SUV

E88: Details on E88
E88 135i Convertible
E88 128i Convertible

E89: Details on E89
E89 Z4 30i Roadster
E89 Z4 28i Roadster
E89 Z4 35i Roadster
E89 Z4 35is Roadster

E90: Details on E90
E90 323i Sedan
E90 325i Sedan
E90 325xi Sedan
E90 330i Sedan
E90 330xi Sedan
E90 M3 Sedan
E90 335i Sedan
E90 335xi Sedan
E90 328i Sedan
E90 328xi Sedan

E90N: Details on E90N
E90N 335d Sedan
E90N 323i Sedan
E90N M3 Sedan
E90N 335i Sedan
E90N 335xi Sedan
E90N 328i Sedan
E90N 328xi Sedan

E91: Details on E91
E91 325xi Touring
E91 328i Touring
E91 328xi Touring

E91N: Details on E91N
E91N 328i Touring
E91N 328xi Touring

E92: Details on E92
E92 328i Coupe
E92 M3 Coupe
E92 335i Coupe
E92 335xi Coupe
E92 328xi Coupe

E92N: Details on E92N
E92N M3 Coupe
E92N 335i Coupe
E92N 335is Coupe
E92N 335xi Coupe
E92N 328i Coupe
E92N 328xi Coupe

E93: Details on E93
E93 M3 Convertible
E93 335i Convertible
E93 328i Convertible

E93N: Details on E93N
E93N M3 Convertible
E93N 335i Convertible
E93N 335is Convertible
E93N 328i Convertible

Look under 'Cooling' section for your particular car on www.penskeparts.com
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      10-25-2014, 05:47 PM   #14
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I know this is an old thread, but the same thing happened to me. I purchased a new sleeve but I do not know how to install it. It seems that if I will just force it, the tabs will break.
Any ideas?
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      10-25-2014, 07:44 PM   #15
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2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
maybe they are to break in order to show a used part?
Does the hose have indent for the tabs?

What does Bentley or those BMW repair disk manuals/TIS databases say about this?
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      10-27-2014, 03:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrey_gta View Post
maybe they are to break in order to show a used part?
Does the hose have indent for the tabs?

What does Bentley or those BMW repair disk manuals/TIS databases say about this?
Nope.
All I did was align it and push on it. I had to turn it very lightly, because the tabs can easily break if you apply to much force.
View post on imgur.com
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      01-19-2016, 01:42 PM   #17
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Reviving from the grave (used the search).
I had to drain some coolant in order to change my OFH Gasket (and later Valve Cover Gasket), so i used the radiator drain plug. After i put the car together i went on a test drive, and boy did i turned into a 300HP Steam-train. Did not looked like i lost all the coolant (no low coolant light) but the engine bay was all sprayed out on the right side. It was 3am so i left it for tomorrow(today), now that i saw this thread i assume i broke off that drain plug, but then again it didn't fell off (i think, because it didn't drip/spray after i stopped the car).
Did all of your plugs fell off?
I am still going to BMW to pick up a new plug so any tips on installing it are appreciated, i don't want to brake it because its the last one in stock.
Is it just pushed into the radiator or it has to be twisted as well?

Update: It wasn't the plug, the cooling hose for the OFH was unplugged (phew).

Last edited by drevan; 01-20-2016 at 10:33 AM..
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