[ImtheKing]

2006 325I

Dropped my car off yesterday for a coolant flush- fluid was green. Want to get it swapped with the correct BMW blue fluid

Told the mechanic to make sure he connects a battery charger when bleeding the system- he looked at me with confusion and chuckled. He said we don't do it that way- we use a vacuum system.

This is a pretty reputable german shop so I HOPE they know what they're doing- but the YT videos I watched, people were bleeding the system by holding down the gas pedal and letting the water pump run for 12 minutes.

The vacuum method is also an option and it looks to be the professional way to flush a system

Is the gas pedal a DYI method or the recommended method from BMW? How would they do it at the dealer?

Thanks

[Efthreeoh]

They used a professional coolant flush machine. All is good.

[ryan stewart]

Vac is the official way and how most shops do it anymore, some cars like VW dont even give you another option like a drain plug and bleed screw. But thank BMW for GIVING US THAT OPTION.

[mainbearing]

BTW, you do know the newest BMW HT-12 coolant is GREEN, right? And you want to go back to the older blue coolant?
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...on-83192468442

I agree, using a vacuum fill does a much better job and faster too. On more complex cooling systems vacuum is the only way to go.

This BMW cooling system is not too complicated. Even without a vacuum fill tool the standard bleed method of letting the pump run works, which is what I do when I do not feel like setting up the vacuum fill tool.

[ImtheKing]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

BTW, you do know the newest BMW HT-12 coolant is GREEN, right? And you want to go back to the older blue coolant?
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...on-83192468442

I agree, using a vacuum fill does a much better job and faster too. On more complex cooling systems vacuum is the only way to go.

This BMW cooling system is not too complicated. Even without a vacuum fill tool the standard bleed method of letting the pump run works, which is what I do when I do not feel like setting up the vacuum fill tool.

Thank you all.

I wasn't aware that BMW fluid is green now

What I do know is that my car had prestone green fluid from autozone according to my sister who owned the car before me.

Car was running fine but I'm trying to update all the maintenance on the car with the correct fluids and address some of the common issues

changed valve cover, changed the plastic mickey mouse flange etc etc etc....

[mainbearing]

Was the coolant already changed back to the BMW blue? That would be fine too. If not you can ask the shop if they use HT-12.

I actually use Pentofrost E (Audi G13) so I can keep one type of coolant because our other Audi cars. The Pink HT-12 is equivalent to Audi G13.
https://crpautomotive.com/wp-content...ntofrost-E.pdf

HT-12 comes in two colors, Green and Pink. The Pink is compatible with Audi G12++ and G13 (which is really purple/violet). The BMW HT-12 looks to me is just green-colored Audi G13 coolant.


https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php...estion.461197/

Green HT-12:
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...3-48df3793b338

Pink HT-12:
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...3-48df3793b338

[ImtheKing]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Was the coolant already changed back to the BMW blue? That would be fine too. If not you can ask the shop if they use HT-12.

I actually use Pentofrost E (Audi G13) so I can keep one type of coolant because our other Audi cars. The Pink HT-12 is equivalent to Audi G13.
https://crpautomotive.com/wp-content...ntofrost-E.pdf

HT-12 comes in two colors, Green and Pink. The Pink is compatible with Audi G12++ and G13 (which is really purple/violet). The BMW HT-12 looks to me is just green-colored Audi G13 coolant.


https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php...estion.461197/

Green HT-12:
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...3-48df3793b338

Pink HT-12:
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...3-48df3793b338

I found out they used Zerex G-48 coolant which I'm reading is just as good as the BMW coolant

[mainbearing]

Yes, the old BMW Blue, G-48 (Zerex or Glysantin) and Pentofrost NF are all equivalents.

https://www.glysantin.de/sites/defau...-02/g48_en.pdf
https://crpautomotive.com/wp-content...tofrost-NF.pdf

Originally Posted by ImtheKing

I found out they used Zerex G-48 coolant which I'm reading is just as good as the BMW coolant

[e90yyc]

Little-known fact: The E90 coolant system is self-flushing. The car will tell you when it needs new coolant.

Now, there’s a few ways this can happen:

1. Coolant expansion tank spontaneously explodes. More popular method for the N54 crowd, but some N52 report success with this method too.
2. Coolant expansion tank hose shears off. Slower method than #1 and doesn’t always result in a complete flush, but it’s usually much less expensive.
3. Cylinder head to thermostat hose flange turns into dust. Probably the most popular method, but it’s easy for shitty old plastic to end up in the engine block, so I’d suggest methods 1 or 2 instead

[PichaDis11]

Would've been the perfect time to have Mickey Mouse installed.

[ImtheKing]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

Would've been the perfect time to have Mickey Mouse installed.

Installed aluminum mickey mouse when I changed the oil filter housing gasket.

Once I saw that green coolant pour out, I decided to do a flush and replace with the original blue fluid meant for this car

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by ImtheKing

Installed aluminum mickey mouse when I changed the oil filter housing gasket.

Once I saw that green coolant pour out, I decided to do a flush and replace with the original blue fluid meant for this car

Awesomsauce.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Little-known fact: The E90 coolant system is self-flushing. The car will tell you when it needs new coolant.

Now, there’s a few ways this can happen:

1. Coolant expansion tank spontaneously explodes. More popular method for the N54 crowd, but some N52 report success with this method too.
2. Coolant expansion tank hose shears off. Slower method than #1 and doesn’t always result in a complete flush, but it’s usually much less expensive.
3. Cylinder head to thermostat hose flange turns into dust. Probably the most popular method, but it’s easy for shitty old plastic to end up in the engine block, so I’d suggest methods 1 or 2 instead

4. Water pump failure.
5. Thermostat failure.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Little-known fact: The E90 coolant system is self-flushing. The car will tell you when it needs new coolant.

Now, there’s a few ways this can happen:

1. Coolant expansion tank spontaneously explodes. More popular method for the N54 crowd, but some N52 report success with this method too.
2. Coolant expansion tank hose shears off. Slower method than #1 and doesn’t always result in a complete flush, but it’s usually much less expensive.
3. Cylinder head to thermostat hose flange turns into dust. Probably the most popular method, but it’s easy for shitty old plastic to end up in the engine block, so I’d suggest methods 1 or 2 instead

Don't forget the self-draining oil feature through the valve cover, oil filter housing and oil pan gaskets. Just top off the oil and change the filter once in a while and you're set

[mainbearing]

And...

6. Snapping cylinder head bolts

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lt_Testing.htm

[e82majorbaker]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Don't forget the self-draining oil feature through the valve cover, oil filter housing and oil pan gaskets. Just top off the oil and change the filter once in a while and you're set

You joke, but that is basically what i have been doing for a little while now. Car burns/leaks 2 liters of oil every 4000 miles basically, so i am always adding fresh oil. I also have my oil drain bolt welded to the pan currently because someone stripped the threads out overtightening it. I have never gone back to a shop after this, and have been using my oil level sensor to do oil changes.

I replaced all the leaky parts you mentioned recently. must have had half an inch of oil build up on the front and side of my n52. Went through 3 cans of brake cleaner, many toothbrushes and qtips. 2nd valve cover for the car, 2nd time changing oil filter housing gasket. Pan was done 50k miles ago and looks to be okay still, so the weld remains hahah. I will fix it the next time i do the oil pan gasket. car has 135k on it. mickey mouse flange fell apart as i took it off, literally disintegrated. did water pump and thermostat too. now i have an issue where the rad fan doesnt turn on at the set temp point at idle, so it starts running too hot at idle, even though i've confirmed the fan works.