DIY Radiator Flush

[pbonsalb]

It comes with a gallon of coolant so they figure it may get as much as 2 gallons of the 3.2 gallon capacity out. 2/3 refill is better than 1/2 refill.

[White 13]

I think that tool just refills what you drain out. Still have to get to the plugs to drain the system. Or am I wrong?

[M3amigos]

Per the following diy, looks like it sucks the air out of the system post draining with an air compressor then uses the vacuum to refill.

[drwankel]

Originally Posted by M3amigos

I'm not completely opposed to the block drain, it just didn't sound like an easy thing to access and its not really clear to me the best way to do it. How difficult is it to remove and reinstall/torque the block drain plugs while laying under the car? Is there risk of damaging them and should I buy replacement plugs? Does anyone know the torque spec? Also what size drain pan would I need to avoid splashing coolant all over the garage floor? Maybe I'm overthinking it and need to just try it amd see how it goes...

These are all the same questions I would be asking myself. Excellent questions.

[pbonsalb]

Its messy, which is why I recommend a big tray. Due to the drain locations you cant direct flow. It will spurt out, hit stuff like the headers and oil pan, and splash around. On start up, you will smell some residue burn off unless you hose down the area before you start the car.

[oolas3]

For those that are replacing the blue radiator drain plug are you also replacing the white sleeve with it? Or just the blue drain plug without sleeve?

Drain plug with sleeve: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/17107523260/

Drain plug only: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...g/17117530902/

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by m3m3mr

For those that are replacing the blue radiator drain plug are you also replacing the white sleeve with it? Or just the blue drain plug without sleeve?

Drain plug with sleeve: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/17107523260/

Drain plug only: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...g/17117530902/

You should just be able to remove and reuse the blue drain plug.
If you remove the white sleeve, you'll need to buy a new one because its locking tabs will snap off.

[Mdriv3r]

I was working on mine the other day. Did you take off the metal engine cover on the bottom of the car. I think I saw the Engine block coolant drain plug, it is difficult to reach because of the metal panel. Could you post some info about taking that off. I am fine with removing the front plastic panel by the bumper and am familiar with the radiator drain plug.

Do you just wait till the bleeder runs clean with a stream when filling it back up? I have done some M54 engines but the S65 is a bit different.

Originally Posted by mendez

I can't find a DIY for flushing the radiator. Can someone tell me if this is the right procedure?

1. Let the engine cool down.
2. Put the car in ramps/jacks. * Make sure the car height is balanced. The Radiator reservoir has to be the highest.
3. Remove one of the Under body cover
4. Remove the radiator bleeder screw (underneath the car) and let it radiator bleed.
5. Reinstall the bleed screw
6. Fill the radiator with only water. Let the radiator cap off (Pressurized cap) and turn the engine and car heater on. *Keep an eye in the fluid level!!
7. Let the car run for 5-10 min then repeat steps 4-6 like 2 times.
8. After bleeding water, Install a new bleader screw and fill the radiator with 50% Antifreeze-50% water.
9. Turn the engine and car heater on and let the coolant flow with the radiator cap off (to release the air in the system)
10. Turn the engine off, check level and install the radiator cap.

If above steps are ok, I will do it today/tomorrow and post some pictures..

Thanks
Jose

[hoodust]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

You should just be able to remove and reuse the blue drain plug.
If you remove the white sleeve, you'll need to buy a new one because its locking tabs will snap off.

About to do my coolant and a buddy of mine who's an ex-BMW tech recommended replacing the whole petcock (white thing) along with the blue screw. His point (and it makes sense) is that it's just plastic and it's sitting in boiling water constantly for years. Germany isn't exactly known for the best plastics anyway. It's such a cheap part (~$10) and it's just good preventative maintenance. He also recommends replacing the bleed screw, or at least the o-ring on it.

[pbonsalb]

After 10 years, a plastic tank radiator is probably a replacement item. BMW seems to be using aluminum tank radiators on some models - our 08 535xi has an aluminum tank Behr.

[KwlAznKid]

can anyone confirm how much coolant is needed for a flush? i read 3 gallons from someone here, can anyone confirm if that's correct? seems like a lot... and if it is indeed 3 gallons is that 1.5gallons distilled water and 1.5coolant or 3 coolant and then 3 gallons of distilled water?

[pbonsalb]

1.5 gallons of coolant and 1.5 gallons of distilled water, do you really have to buy 2 gallons of each. If you are just draining the radiator you won’t get anywhere near 3 gallons out.

[Fr0gman]

I just installed a new thermostat on mine and drained only the radiator. A lot came out when I removed the lines that feed into the thermostat housing though. Used about 2 gallons of 50/50 coolant.

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

Here's an alternative where you don't even need to raise the car: Coolant Flush Kit.

[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2CAr2pOva8[/u2b]

Anyone have experience with this tool? Looks like only useful on the refill to avoid getting air into the system? My indy mentioned they use a 'tool' to fully replace the entire coolant volume in the system. I need to ask for some detail... hopefully not just draining the radiator then refilling with something like this.

I have always done all the fluids on my cars myself but have avoided tackling the coolant on the e92... seems like an absolute mess.

[bmwm3s65]

Getting ready to do a coolant drain and fill. Does anyone know the part numbers for the block drain plugs and washers? I looked on realoem under engine diagram and i couldn't determine which part numbers they were.

[msan]

Originally Posted by bmwm3s65

Getting ready to do a coolant drain and fill. Does anyone know the part numbers for the block drain plugs and washers? I looked on realoem under engine diagram and i couldn't determine which part numbers they were.

I think this is the drain plug , obviously you need 2

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/engine-block-plug-priced-each/07119904392/

This is the crush washer

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/sealing-gasket-aluminum-for-14x15/07119963200/

[pbonsalb]

I did not replace my drain plugs. Why do you need to do that?

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by msan

I think this is the drain plug , obviously you need 2

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/07119904392/

This is the crush washer

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...5/07119963200/

Thanks. I found something similar but a bolt, not hex head. Thank you!

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I did not replace my drain plugs. Why do you need to do that?

I consider it a "while your in there" thing to replace. Also some of the other pictures in this thread appeared to show corrosion on the plugs so to me it made sense to replace just in case, but maybe its not critical?

[jvictormp]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

For a proper coolant flush, drain the block as well as the radiator. You can even use a coolant flush if you do this if you want.

Block drains are above the "wings" on each side of the rear of the oil pan. You can guide a 5 mm hex head socket up in there on a u-joint. Maybe you could see with an inspection mirror but I am not sure. The header secondary is in the area also so space is tight. They are clearly visible with the oil pan down, but you can access them with the pan in place. A little messy since the coolant will come pouring out and you cannot exactly direct its flow if the pan is in place. Obviously, do each side.

Could you please point the block drains region in the picture?

[pbonsalb]

You cannot see them in your picture because the oil pan wings and headers are in the way and it is a side view, but they are on the underside of the block a little before the header collector starts and above the wings at the rear of the oil pan. Use a mirror and look for a roughly 20mm diameter plug with female hex socket in the same location on each side of the block in that area. The plug is removed in this picture but you see the hole between the header and the block. You can get in there with swivel/flex.

[jvictormp]

Is it that circled one?