[bmw_solid]

Hi All,

This is my first post. I've been using this forum as a source of information for my 2008 Pre-LCI E92 330d Coupe to carry out maintenance work.

I'm wanting to do a complete coolant flush and change on my E92 and have searched various forums but all give different answers and I cant find the answer that applies to my specific engine.

Now, I was given this website www.newtis.info on another BMW forum, which provides the BMW TIS for coolant change.

According to the TIS, I have had a look under the car (after removing the under panel) and have found the engine block drain plug but can't find the radiator drain plug

I cannot understand this TIS procedure where it describes the radiator coolant drain plug/hose. See this link for my specific VIN: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-check/OehKEiv

It shows in the picture what looks like the intercooler inlet hose removed which reveals the radiator drain plug. But, the TIS does not specify a procedure or instruction to remove this hose? Neither does the picture show the intercooler itself - does this imply that the intercooler needs to be removed also? If so, why isn't this mentioned in the TIS?

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Persian Whisperjet]

This is how I did it.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1443671

[Yozh]

Yes intercooler needs to be removed. Or your can disconnect anywhere at the lowest possible coolant connection.

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

This is how I did it.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1443671

Thanks for this link!

After searching through that thread and then finding another link, I see that most people removed the hose going into the Heat Exchanger to drain the radiator.

This is what I was after! When I was under the car on Saturday looking for the radiator drain screw, I did notice the black hose going into the Heat Exchanger, but I did not know what that hose was at the time.

I will have now have to source a washer for the engine block drain bolt as BMW Parts are currently closed here in the UK. I don't think it is a good idea to use any washer...

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by Yozh

Yes intercooler needs to be removed. Or your can disconnect anywhere at the lowest possible coolant connection.

Thanks

[bmw_solid]

Another question, does anyone know the size of the crush washer on the M57 engine block drain plug?

Also, I plan to drain all the coolant (at engine block and radiator), then re-fill to the top with de-ionised water only and do the 12-min venting/bleeding procedure as this will let the water travel through the system.

After that, I plan to drain the de-ionised water (at engine block and radiator) and then re-fill with new coolant (50/50 coolant/water) mix. My question is whether I am right to just re-fill to the top with 50/50 mix or should I take more care as to what ratio/mix I re-fill with?

Thanks everyone.

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by bmw_solid

Another question, does anyone know the size of the crush washer on the M57 engine block drain plug?

Also, I plan to drain all the coolant (at engine block and radiator), then re-fill to the top with de-ionised water only and do the 12-min venting/bleeding procedure as this will let the water travel through the system.

After that, I plan to drain the de-ionised water (at engine block and radiator) and then re-fill with new coolant (50/50 coolant/water) mix. My question is whether I am right to just re-fill to the top with 50/50 mix or should I take more care as to what ratio/mix I re-fill with?

Thanks everyone.

i dont think there is a block drain.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

i dont think there is a block drain.

...or an electric coolant pump.

[Yozh]

50/50 mix is standard.

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

i dont think there is a block drain.

According to newTIS there is one and I looked under the car on the engine block (right hand side) and could see the exact same drain plug as per the picture newTIS so I take it the car does have the block drain?:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-check/OehKEiv

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

...or an electric coolant pump.

No electric coolant pump? So what would be the bleeding procedure then? Because on newTIS, it says to initiate the venting process via ignition on, pedal down etc..?

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-check/OehKEiv

(scroll right to the bottom)

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by Yozh

50/50 mix is standard.

Ok, thanks

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by bmw_solid

No electric coolant pump? So what would be the bleeding procedure then? Because on newTIS, it says to initiate the venting process via ignition on, pedal down etc..?

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-check/OehKEiv

(scroll right to the bottom)

Good point. I forget these cars do have the little auxiliary electrical pump.

When I did mine, I just filled it, ran the engine opened the bleed screw on the egr tstat until water came out...same on the reservoir bleed. Shut the engine off, top up the coolant. Drive for 10mi, ish, check coolant level. Probably not as thorough as the proper bleed procedure, but it seems to work!

[bmw_solid]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Good point. I forget these cars do have the little auxiliary electrical pump.

When I did mine, I just filled it, ran the engine opened the bleed screw on the egr tstat until water came out...same on the reservoir bleed. Shut the engine off, top up the coolant. Drive for 10mi, ish, check coolant level. Probably not as thorough as the proper bleed procedure, but it seems to work!

Thanks for the information. So I take it these M57 engines do have an electrical coolant pump and the ignition on/pedal down venting procedure is applicable to this engine.

I will now need to source the washer for the engine block coolant drain plug before attempting to do this job.

I will keep this thread updated.

[335dlci]

No. Diesels do not have that water pump as stated above

[kpm]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

No. Diesels do not have that water pump as stated above

My 2009 335d has the electric coolant pump. I believe this auxiliary pump ended with the 2010 model year and it's purpose was to support the" keep cabin warm during short winter stops" feature in cold climates.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

No. Diesels do not have that water pump as stated above

Mine does, too. For the 'rest' function, as mentioned...not sure if it also runs with the engine.

[bmw_solid]

Update:

Carried out the coolant change today, although I didn't do a flush as the coolant was very clean, (although it was a red/pink colour so I assume the last owner out some cheap stuff in??)


I removed the hose going into the Heat Exchanger - about 3.5l of coolant came out.

I then removed the engine block drain plug (yes, my engine M57TU2) does have one! - about 1.5l came out.

I don't know what capacity this engine takes as the manual doesn't specify and can't find on these forums the capacity for my exact engine. The general consensus seems to be 8.5l?

So only 5l came out. I put the hose back on, screwed the engine drain plug back on and started to fill. The tank became full at 4l of 50/50 mix (with tank bleed valve open).

Bleeding: I did not follow the pedal down/ignition on procedure as I don't think my car has a electric water pump. I followed another procedure as per newtis:

I started the engine with cap open and bleed screw closed for 5 minutes as per the procedure. I could see the vent return line spitting coolant and air.

After 5 minutes idling, I put the cap on, revved the engine to 2.5k a couple of times and then opened the cap as per the procedure and let the engine idle for 5 minutes. I kept topping up the coolant as necessary.

After this, I drove the car until engine temperature stabilised (at 97C in my car) and then drove for another couple of minutes and came back home and checked the level. All was good.

I will now check cold level tomorrow morning to confirm level is ok.


My question:

-What is the coolant capacity of this car? If it is 8.5l, how come only 5 litres came out? Is it because around 3.5l stays inside the system?

Whatever the capacity, I am sure a good chunk of it came out because I can see the new Blue coolant in the tank after the thermostat has opened, which means it has circulated and mixed though the whole system. Bear in mind the previous coolant in the car was Red/Pink.

[robnitro]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Mine does, too. For the 'rest' function, as mentioned...not sure if it also runs with the engine.

On the 35d it runs when you're idling with heat on as the coolant flow of a mechanical pump might not keep up with heating demand on multiple zone climate control.

I know because my electric aux pump became noisy and I would hear it when idling.
I ended up coding it out from ihka, because heating was fine even in the winter with it unplugged.