Snapped coolant bleed screw

gthberg · 09-06-2014, 03:10 PM

Any brilliant ideas out there for removing half of the coolant expansion tank bleed screw? I was flushing the radiator today, and while I was doing the final bleed, the screw snapped in half (with hardly any torque, which is awesome)....should have seen the fountain of coolant spouting up in the air!

So, I'll grab a new one, but I'm having a rough time getting the old one out, without any top to it. I'd like to avoid drilling it, so I don't get a bunch of plastic shavings in my expansion tank.

Thanks.

tinman831 · 09-06-2014, 03:23 PM

Heat a screw driver and place on top of screw. Melt a slot into the top, let it cool and twist out?

s85e90 · 09-06-2014, 07:37 PM

If you have to drill it coat the bit in vaseline and you won't get chunks in the tank. They also make a brass replacement FYI.

Devant · 09-06-2014, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

If you have to drill it coat the bit in vaseline and you won't get chunks in the tank. They also make a brass replacement FYI.

+1 on the brass fitting.

I think it is seriously annoying the amount of plastic they use in what is supposed to be a high end car. Plastic reservoir ok but plastic screw plugs..really? Nice job BMW

Cbozz · 09-06-2014, 08:38 PM

I used a screw driver method..... +1

vastano · 09-07-2014, 09:09 PM

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-21...tion-list.aspx

1MOREMOD · 09-07-2014, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinman831

Heat a screw driver and place on top of screw. Melt a slot into the top, let it cool and twist out?

Good call

W/// · 09-08-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthberg

Any brilliant ideas out there for removing half of the coolant expansion tank bleed screw? I was flushing the radiator today, and while I was doing the final bleed, the screw snapped in half (with hardly any torque, which is awesome)....should have seen the fountain of coolant spouting up in the air!

So, I'll grab a new one, but I'm having a rough time getting the old one out, without any top to it. I'd like to avoid drilling it, so I don't get a bunch of plastic shavings in my expansion tank.

Thanks.

Mine did the same thing. What I did that worked really well. Take a cutter/razor blade and start making straight lines, deep enough that you can use a flat head screw driver to back it out. Took me about 10-15 mins, but it worked well.

So the top of that left over part should look close to this:

dreamspeed · 09-28-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vastano

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-21...tion-list.aspx

Does anyone have a link to a brass screw for the e92 m3? Those screws at turners doesn't fit the m3 according to the list

edwinm3 · 09-28-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

Does anyone have a link to a brass screw for the e92 m3? Those screws at turners doesn't fit the m3 according to the list

Yes turner screw does fit the m3, follow this thread

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886184

dreamspeed · 09-28-2014, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinm3

Yes turner screw does fit the m3, follow this thread

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886184

Cool, thanks!

So it looks like BMW part number 11537793373 is for the E92 bleed screw and

17111712788 is the part number for the E46 bleed screw but they are both the same.

edwinm3 · 09-28-2014, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

Cool, thanks!

So it looks like BMW part number 11537793373 is for the E92 bleed screw and

17111712788 is the part number for the E46 bleed screw but they are both the same.

Glad I could help

JsL · 01-07-2018, 05:02 PM

This happened to me while driving! I got the low coolant warning, pulled over and saw coolant spilled all over the engine bay. I was nervously watching my P3 guage coolant temp while driving back home.

The heated flathead screw driver method works. Here's what I did.

1. Dry off the top of the snapped screw.

2. Turn the stove on and leave the flathead screwdriver tip on the flame for 90 each side. I just picked 90 seconds as I didn't want to melt the handle.

3. Walk to the car, presuming the hood is already open of course, center the screwdriver on top of the screw and push the screwdriver in with a little force downward. You should hear a little sizzle. I left it on there for 10 seconds after the sizzle stopped.

4. Repeat step 2 and 3. Resist any temptation to unscrew it while it's hot, that would be counter productive.

5. Wait 3 mins.

6. Unscrew using the notch you just created.

If you're in a pinch to get a replacement bleeder screw, your local parts shop may have the Dorman brand in stock. I used it and it fits fine. $5 for two screws with gasket. I'll be changing mine every 60k miles as preventive maintenance from now on.

cmyE93M3 · 01-01-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinman831

Heat a screw driver and place on top of screw. Melt a slot into the top, let it cool and twist out?

Sorry to bump an older thread, but thank you for the above advice, my bleeder screw head snapped today during some routine maintenance I was doing and this method worked like a charm.

Ximian · 03-28-2021, 07:40 PM

I tried the method of heating up a screw driver but that was taking too long. I used a rubber mallet to hammer in the screw driver and that came out easily.

The Dorman screws are junk, snapped off very easily.

bake · 06-06-2021, 06:23 PM

Great thread! The heated screwdriver method worked for me as well. Heading to the dealer tomorrow to pick up two new bleeder screws. I would pick up a brass on from Turner, but they appear to be discontinued. Any idea if someone still makes them?

derbo · 06-06-2021, 06:36 PM

FWIW,

BMW TIS doesn't mention ever using the bleeder screw on the S65. If leaving the cap off is sufficient to BMW, it's good enough for me to avoid touching that bleeder screw.

amrazM · 06-08-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derbo

FWIW,

BMW TIS doesn't mention ever using the bleeder screw on the S65. If leaving the cap off is sufficient to BMW, it's good enough for me to avoid touching that bleeder screw.

It doesnt but when the system is completely empty and you dont want to run the car its easiest to crack the screw then fill the system, the bleeder screw actually lets alot of air escape and allows coolant to flow.

4130 · 06-08-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bake

Great thread! The heated screwdriver method worked for me as well. Heading to the dealer tomorrow to pick up two new bleeder screws. I would pick up a brass on from Turner, but they appear to be discontinued. Any idea if someone still makes them?

I bought this one recently and it fit well: https://www.amazon.com/AUTOHAUX-Radi.../dp/B07ZQCCJNR

bake · 06-14-2021, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4130

I bought this one recently and it fit well: https://www.amazon.com/AUTOHAUX-Radi.../dp/B07ZQCCJNR

I actually bought the same. Amazon said i doesn't fit my 2013 but it does. Better option than the OEM plastic one.

Johnr3524 · 06-14-2021, 11:12 AM

I'm slowly lining up parts to flush my system. I haven't done it before on this car. Is this screw https://www.amazon.com/AUTOHAUX-Radi.../dp/B07ZQCCJNR for both the top bleeder screw and the drain plug? Or is the drain not plastic?

Johnr3524 · 06-14-2021, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnr3524

I'm slowly lining up parts to flush my system. I haven't done it before on this car. Is this screw https://www.amazon.com/AUTOHAUX-Radi.../dp/B07ZQCCJNR for both the top bleeder screw and the drain plug? Or is the drain not plastic?

I figured it out. The drain plug is, of course, different. FCP Euro I go...

09-06-2014, 03:10 PM	#1
gthberg Private First Class 22 Rep 105 Posts Drives: e90 M3 IB/FR Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 1987 BMW M6 [9.75] 2009 e90 M3 [0.00]	Snapped coolant bleed screw Any brilliant ideas out there for removing half of the coolant expansion tank bleed screw? I was flushing the radiator today, and while I was doing the final bleed, the screw snapped in half (with hardly any torque, which is awesome)....should have seen the fountain of coolant spouting up in the air! So, I'll grab a new one, but I'm having a rough time getting the old one out, without any top to it. I'd like to avoid drilling it, so I don't get a bunch of plastic shavings in my expansion tank. Thanks. __________________
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09-06-2014, 03:23 PM	#2
tinman831 Captain 20 Rep 816 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Heat a screw driver and place on top of screw. Melt a slot into the top, let it cool and twist out?
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09-06-2014, 07:37 PM	#3
s85e90 Brigadier General 192 Rep 3,633 Posts Drives: black e90 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: everywhere iTrader: (2)	If you have to drill it coat the bit in vaseline and you won't get chunks in the tank. They also make a brass replacement FYI.
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09-06-2014, 08:38 PM	#5
Cbozz Colonel 689 Rep 2,716 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Florida/ St. Louis iTrader: (27) Garage List 2016 BMW X5M [0.00] 08 BMW M3 [0.00] 14 BMW X5 50i - sold [0.00] 09 BMW 335i - Sold [0.00] 09 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00] 07 BMW 328i - Sold [0.00]	I used a screw driver method..... +1 __________________ Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
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09-07-2014, 09:09 PM	#6
vastano Captain 103 Rep 893 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (5)	http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-21...tion-list.aspx
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01-07-2018, 05:02 PM	#13
JsL Major 448 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: 2011 AW M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	This happened to me while driving! I got the low coolant warning, pulled over and saw coolant spilled all over the engine bay. I was nervously watching my P3 guage coolant temp while driving back home. The heated flathead screw driver method works. Here's what I did. 1. Dry off the top of the snapped screw. 2. Turn the stove on and leave the flathead screwdriver tip on the flame for 90 each side. I just picked 90 seconds as I didn't want to melt the handle. 3. Walk to the car, presuming the hood is already open of course, center the screwdriver on top of the screw and push the screwdriver in with a little force downward. You should hear a little sizzle. I left it on there for 10 seconds after the sizzle stopped. 4. Repeat step 2 and 3. Resist any temptation to unscrew it while it's hot, that would be counter productive. 5. Wait 3 mins. 6. Unscrew using the notch you just created. If you're in a pinch to get a replacement bleeder screw, your local parts shop may have the Dorman brand in stock. I used it and it fits fine. $5 for two screws with gasket. I'll be changing mine every 60k miles as preventive maintenance from now on. Attached Images
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03-28-2021, 07:40 PM	#15
Ximian . 1916 Rep 1,878 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: MN iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW M3 [0.00]	I tried the method of heating up a screw driver but that was taking too long. I used a rubber mallet to hammer in the screw driver and that came out easily. The Dorman screws are junk, snapped off very easily.
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06-06-2021, 06:23 PM	#16
bake Colonel 602 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2011 F10, 2013 E93 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (9)	Great thread! The heated screwdriver method worked for me as well. Heading to the dealer tomorrow to pick up two new bleeder screws. I would pick up a brass on from Turner, but they appear to be discontinued. Any idea if someone still makes them? __________________ *Bake* 2011 Alpine White on Black 535i M-Sport 2013 Space Gray on Fox Red M3 Vert
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06-06-2021, 06:36 PM	#17
derbo Derbo Tuning 3607 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	FWIW, BMW TIS doesn't mention ever using the bleeder screw on the S65. If leaving the cap off is sufficient to BMW, it's good enough for me to avoid touching that bleeder screw. __________________ IG:ruhrohz_m3 Journal: Link E9x ZCP Suspension Info: Link Track Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/VsKbTyqBVj SF Bay Area: DM For coding services
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06-14-2021, 11:12 AM	#21
Johnr3524 Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2018 X5 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Buffalo, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00]	I'm slowly lining up parts to flush my system. I haven't done it before on this car. Is this screw https://www.amazon.com/AUTOHAUX-Radi.../dp/B07ZQCCJNR for both the top bleeder screw and the drain plug? Or is the drain not plastic?
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