Coolant replace

F

flybobbie

Elite
 Stourbridge
I have had for ages coolant and water ready to replace in my car.
Not seen any good write ups on coolant replacing.
I came across this:

"I just flushed my 2010 3.0.
Drain radiator removing plug on radiator, driver side.
Get in car and turn on ignition but do not start car. Put heat on max and fan on minimum.
Put your foot down on gas pedal for 10 seconds. Water pump will cycle on and off for about 5 -10 minutes draining block.
Replace drain plug and fill with distilled water. Repeat pump purge cycle except this time add water as pump cycles.
Repeat process until water is clear, no antifreeze remaining.
Fill with 2 liters of BMW antifreeze and then keep refilling during pump cycle with 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water.
If you live in a freezing climate I might add 3 liters of antifreeze to start.
Take short drive and check coolant level. Refill until full."


I tried the pump activation mode on my car, but nothing noticeable happens.
It mentions a plug, i haven't found one, yet.
 
So just found the drain plug item 3.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=LM32-EUR-05-2009-E89-BMW-Z4_23i&diagId=17_0323
Must be in the bottom of radiator so looks like belly pan off.
 

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Interesting. I'll need to get mine high up on the axle supports and breathe in (belly stops play) to see what's happening down there..

Keep us posted on this..... Every good technique for Z4 maintenance helps us all....

Thanks
 
I’ve only heard of the self bleeding mode for when the systems filled, not to empty it. I’d be cautious as the pump relies on coolant for lubricant & letting it run til empty could potentially harm it.
It’s also pretty hard on the battery so I’d hook it up to a charger while it self bleeds :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Looks like it holds about 8 litres so i will measure what drains off.
I have 5litres of coolant and 10 litres of de-ionised water, so some left over for a bit of a flush.
 
Well job done, straight forward enough.

Belly pan off, the blue screw is on the left side or radiator.
I unscrewed it using the round handle part of a brass key, fits perfect.
I let it drain, then poured through some clean deionised water until it stopped dripping.
I ran the pump (ignition on and hold throttle for about 5 seconds), but no more water ran out.
So that was pointless.
The pump can be heard running by placing ear next to the filler. It cycles about four times every 10 seconds and then stops. I only let it run once, then switched ignition off.

Replaced the blue plug, filled with anti freeze and deionised water.
Left the fill cap off and cycled the pump. You can hear the water bubbling and gurgling through the pipes.

I ran the pump two cycles and that was enough. Finally i bled using the bleed plug next to filler.
Just need to recheck over the next few days.
 
Does coolant REALLY need to be replaced? Or is this just a cash making process for BMW during servicing??
Any facts to support any REAL advantage to this?
 
mcbutler said:
Does coolant REALLY need to be replaced? Or is this just a cash making process for BMW during servicing??
Any facts to support any REAL advantage to this?
Click to expand...

When I bought my Z4 I did ask the local BMW dealer about changing the coolant and their response was the coolant is for life and does not need changing. But is this like how the auto transmission oil is also for life and does not need changing? My car will be due for service next month, I will contact my Indi specialist if lockdown is lifted (which is not looking very likely), and see what they have to say.
 
Silverstar said:
mcbutler said:
Does coolant REALLY need to be replaced? Or is this just a cash making process for BMW during servicing??
Any facts to support any REAL advantage to this?
Click to expand...
When I bought my Z4 I did ask the local BMW dealer about changing the coolant and their response was the coolant is for life and does not need changing. But is this like how the auto transmission oil is also for life and does not need changing? My car will be due for service next month, I will contact my Indi specialist if lockdown is lifted (which is not looking very likely), and see what they have to say.
Click to expand...
I would be interested to know their opinion, dont count on the indy being open though, I reckon we are looking at another 9 weeks or so, seems the norm in most countries
 
I replaced the coolant as it was the factory coolant, so never been changed in 11 years.
It's nice to know it has been done and the right proportions of antifreeze and water are in there.
Also i would find over a year about a egg cupfull of antifreeze was required to top off.
Unlike in the past with other old cars, the fluid that came out was pretty much contaminate free.
Not like in the past where you would be running a hose through the system and half the engine as rust would be flushed out.
 
mcbutler said:
Silverstar said:
mcbutler said:
Does coolant REALLY need to be replaced? Or is this just a cash making process for BMW during servicing??
Any facts to support any REAL advantage to this?
Click to expand...
When I bought my Z4 I did ask the local BMW dealer about changing the coolant and their response was the coolant is for life and does not need changing. But is this like how the auto transmission oil is also for life and does not need changing? My car will be due for service next month, I will contact my Indi specialist if lockdown is lifted (which is not looking very likely), and see what they have to say.
Click to expand...
I would be interested to know their opinion, dont count on the indy being open though, I reckon we are looking at another 9 weeks or so, seems the norm in most countries
Click to expand...

Yep I doubt they will be open anytime soon, Pedro Sanchez has mentioned extending the lockdown till end of May. Well at least the car isn't getting used much so won't be a problem if the service is done a little late. Could do it myself but these days I can't be asked to jack the car up and get underneath! Now if I had a ramp........
 
mcbutler said:
Silverstar said:
mcbutler said:
Does coolant REALLY need to be replaced? Or is this just a cash making process for BMW during servicing??
Any facts to support any REAL advantage to this?
Click to expand...
When I bought my Z4 I did ask the local BMW dealer about changing the coolant and their response was the coolant is for life and does not need changing. But is this like how the auto transmission oil is also for life and does not need changing? My car will be due for service next month, I will contact my Indi specialist if lockdown is lifted (which is not looking very likely), and see what they have to say.
Click to expand...
I would be interested to know their opinion, dont count on the indy being open though, I reckon we are looking at another 9 weeks or so, seems the norm in most countries
Click to expand...

You can get a tester to measure the effectiveness of coolant & what temperature it is still capable of withstanding i think.
Rob
 
I wonder why BMW told me it doesn't need to be changed? I guess I will just have to wait until my Indy is open and ask him.
 
I just thought the general consensus was that BMW "life" was the length of the warranty, 3 years or about 60k.
After that good luck!
Got to admit though this is probably the best quality car i have ever owned.
 
flybobbie said:
I just thought the general consensus was that BMW "life" was the length of the warranty, 3 years or about 60k.
After that good luck!
Got to admit though this is probably the best quality car i have ever owned.
Click to expand...

:rofl: :rofl:
 
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