N52 ofhg change

F22leo · 02-16-2020, 05:28 PM

So I just got done doing my serpentine belt assembly today and would like to change my oil filter gasket ASAP since it leaking a very slight amount.( don't want it to leak on the belt and assembly) my question is do I need to drain the coolant when I do this job, because I've heard this allows air to get into the coolant system. Any advice appreciated.

ricx · 02-16-2020, 07:15 PM

No, I didn't haven't heard of that, no problems after about 35k miles.

tlow98 · 02-16-2020, 10:35 PM

Nah, just follow the bleed procedure afterward. If you’re at 100k miles and it hasn’t been done recently then go ahead. Or if you are suspicious of the brand coolant in it then maybe go ahead.

AngelFarelli · 02-16-2020, 10:54 PM

Make sure to take that belt back off before you do this or cover it good with a plastic bag !! You most likely will leak either oil or coolant on it during this job if you do not bleed coolant

CTinline-six · 02-17-2020, 10:29 AM

I know it isn't necessary, but when I do an OFHG change on an N52 I drain the coolant completely. It's pretty easy with the drain on the bottom of the radiator, and makes it so zero coolant spills when doing the OFHG. A towel over the belt will catch any oil that leaks out, and you won't have to remove the belt or worry about anything getting on the pulleys.

I should note that if oil has been dripping on your belt from a bad OFHG, the belt should be replaced immediately.

banglenot · 02-17-2020, 10:52 AM

Important. The cooling line flange that connects to the head underneath the OFH assy degrades over time and becomes very fragile. Good likelihood it'll crack if you remove it.

Two alternatives: Get the appropriate hose with flange before you do the OFHG; or there are new aluminum flanges on Amazon for about $15 or so. You cut off the old one and replace it with a new aluminum one.

If the old flange cracks, you can drop plastic into the cooling system.

nsjames · 02-17-2020, 11:27 AM

an e10 ratchet wrench allows removal of the bolt next to that coolant fitting without removing or touching it.

and a 3/8 wobble extension is great for the other one next to the intake.

ctuna · 02-17-2020, 12:10 PM

How much did the coolant gush, if you did't at least drain the radiator
to below the ofg level. It looks like you could suck most of the oil
out before removing the housing. (from the top through the oil filter
housing ports.)

nsjames · 02-17-2020, 12:58 PM

can't say I noticed it lose any coolant.

it wasn't a problem.
the system is self bleeding. I didn't even run the bleed procedure after.
the block remains full of coolant.

I still have my aluminum mickey mouse flange here that I bought anticipating breaking it. I'm sure one day I'll need it but that wasn't the day.

tlow98 · 02-17-2020, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

can't say I noticed it lose any coolant.

it wasn't a problem.
the system is self bleeding. I didn't even run the bleed procedure after.
the block remains full of coolant.

I still have my aluminum mickey mouse flange here that I bought anticipating breaking it. I'm sure one day I'll need it but that wasn't the day.

Did yours on a cold motor? Mine was still pretty warm and so had some coolant spray out.

Yeah, my past e36 experience with those plastic fittings that break due to age/heat cycling was not positive with one of the aftermarket aluminum castings - very porous and kind of cheaply made. Is the E90 one a casting, as well?

nsjames · 02-17-2020, 01:38 PM

yeah it was cold.

if you buy from black market parts they are quality. billet and anodized.

the ones on amazon and such I have no idea about.
BMP gets like $25 for it, comes with the clamp.

rocky25b · 02-17-2020, 03:05 PM

I did an oil change and coolant flush when i did my ofhg, for piece of mind.

Ponedude · 02-17-2020, 03:17 PM

Yep that ^^ change your oil so its drained. And dont take coolant hose off housing. Pulls out of way and bungie cord it out of way

F22leo · 02-22-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

can't say I noticed it lose any coolant.

it wasn't a problem.
the system is self bleeding. I didn't even run the bleed procedure after.
the block remains full of coolant.

I still have my aluminum mickey mouse flange here that I bought anticipating breaking it. I'm sure one day I'll need it but that wasn't the day.

So you didn't have to add any coolant after doing the the gasket change? Cause I've seen videos where coolant comes out when the oil filter housing comes off

nsjames · 02-22-2020, 06:42 PM

yeah, you're going to lose like an ounce of fluid from the passages in the OFH.

the system self bleeds, but you could bleed it if you really were concerned about it. I bet it's so little you can't even tell on the reservoir.

02-16-2020, 05:28 PM	#1
F22leo First Lieutenant 244 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Ny iTrader: (0)	N52 ofhg change So I just got done doing my serpentine belt assembly today and would like to change my oil filter gasket ASAP since it leaking a very slight amount.( don't want it to leak on the belt and assembly) my question is do I need to drain the coolant when I do this job, because I've heard this allows air to get into the coolant system. Any advice appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-16-2020, 07:15 PM	#2
ricx Private First Class 29 Rep 134 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	No, I didn't haven't heard of that, no problems after about 35k miles.
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-16-2020, 10:35 PM	#3
tlow98 Major General 2185 Rep 5,000 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Nah, just follow the bleed procedure afterward. If you’re at 100k miles and it hasn’t been done recently then go ahead. Or if you are suspicious of the brand coolant in it then maybe go ahead.
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-16-2020, 10:54 PM	#4
AngelFarelli Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 276 Posts Drives: BMW n52 e90 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Make sure to take that belt back off before you do this or cover it good with a plastic bag !! You most likely will leak either oil or coolant on it during this job if you do not bleed coolant
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 10:29 AM	#5
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6825 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	I know it isn't necessary, but when I do an OFHG change on an N52 I drain the coolant completely. It's pretty easy with the drain on the bottom of the radiator, and makes it so zero coolant spills when doing the OFHG. A towel over the belt will catch any oil that leaks out, and you won't have to remove the belt or worry about anything getting on the pulleys. I should note that if oil has been dripping on your belt from a bad OFHG, the belt should be replaced immediately. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
	Appreciate 2 F22leo244.00 tlow982185.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 10:52 AM	#6
banglenot Private 38 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2007 328xiT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Ft Lauderdale and Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Important. The cooling line flange that connects to the head underneath the OFH assy degrades over time and becomes very fragile. Good likelihood it'll crack if you remove it. Two alternatives: Get the appropriate hose with flange before you do the OFHG; or there are new aluminum flanges on Amazon for about $15 or so. You cut off the old one and replace it with a new aluminum one. If the old flange cracks, you can drop plastic into the cooling system. __________________ 2007 530I, 2007 328xiT 2003 325XI (gone) 2004 530I (gone) 2001 530I (gone) BMW CCA Member 15+ Years
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 11:27 AM	#7
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	an e10 ratchet wrench allows removal of the bolt next to that coolant fitting without removing or touching it. and a 3/8 wobble extension is great for the other one next to the intake.
	Appreciate 2 F22leo244.00 tlow982185.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 12:10 PM	#8
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	How much did the coolant gush, if you did't at least drain the radiator to below the ofg level. It looks like you could suck most of the oil out before removing the housing. (from the top through the oil filter housing ports.)
	Appreciate 1 tlow982185.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 12:58 PM	#9
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	can't say I noticed it lose any coolant. it wasn't a problem. the system is self bleeding. I didn't even run the bleed procedure after. the block remains full of coolant. I still have my aluminum mickey mouse flange here that I bought anticipating breaking it. I'm sure one day I'll need it but that wasn't the day.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2020, 01:38 PM	#11
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	yeah it was cold. if you buy from black market parts they are quality. billet and anodized. the ones on amazon and such I have no idea about. BMP gets like $25 for it, comes with the clamp.
	Appreciate 1 tlow982185.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 03:05 PM	#12
rocky25b Private 40 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi Msport Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I did an oil change and coolant flush when i did my ofhg, for piece of mind.
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-17-2020, 03:17 PM	#13
Ponedude New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2007 328i sedan e90 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Yep that ^^ change your oil so its drained. And dont take coolant hose off housing. Pulls out of way and bungie cord it out of way
	Appreciate 2 tlow982185.00 F22leo244.00 Quote

02-22-2020, 06:42 PM	#15
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	yeah, you're going to lose like an ounce of fluid from the passages in the OFH. the system self bleeds, but you could bleed it if you really were concerned about it. I bet it's so little you can't even tell on the reservoir.
	Appreciate 1 F22leo244.00 Quote