Flushing & Replacing Engine Coolant in a BMW/MINI

BLOG ARTICLE: http://blog.bavauto.com/12402

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All of the items shown in these videos are available in our online store at http://www.bavauto.com/. Need additional tech help? Please visit our tech blog for thousands of Tech and DIY BMW and MINI articles at: http://blog.bavauto.com/
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Parts Used:

BMW Coolant:https://www.bavauto.com/82-14-1-467-704
Distilled water (local grocery store)

Tools Used:

Metric Socket Set; https://www.bavauto.com/cta10100
Form-a-Funnel: No Longer Available
Spill-Free Coolant Funnel: https://www.bavauto.com/b8800082
Garage Guard Absorbent Mat: https://www.bavauto.com/catalogsearch...
Coolant Drain Pan (New Improved Black pan): https://www.bavauto.com/b8800011
6mm flexible hose clamp driver: https://www.bavauto.com/b8800073
Bentley repair manuals: https://www.bavauto.com/tools-manuals...

Floor jack and jack-stands, ramps or vehicle lift
Metric combination wrench set (8mm through 17mm)
Flat head screwdrivers
Phillips head screwdrivers

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The coolant flush is not especially difficult, but it does require more than simply removing the radiator drain plug. In this video we will demonstrate a coolant flush and change on a typical BMW with a later model 6-cylinder engine. The procedures shown can be applied to most BMW and MINI models. In our example (2002 E53 X5 3.0i), we'll show the specific steps to properly drain and flush the system, then fill and bleed with new 50/50 mix of distilled water and coolant. Watch the video and see the parts and tools used, below. For further assistance, please contact our agents at 800-535-2002 or visit our online store at bavauto.com.

The Bentley repair manuals will cover model specific points, torque values and fill quantities. This DIY will assume that the DIYer has the applicable Bentley manual for additional references.

Our BMW and MINI cooling systems have the thankless task of dissipating the heat generated by our engines (and automatic transmissions), keeping them at an optimal operating temperature; not too hot, not too cool. In addition, the cooling system must keep corrosion and sediment from attacking the metal, plastic and rubber parts of the systems. Like the engine's lubrication system (oiling), the cooling system must function mile after mile and hour after hour for hundreds of thousands of miles and thousands of hours. Faults within either of these systems will typically result in catastrophic failure and potentially terminal engine damage. With these thoughts in mind, we can begin to understand why regular maintenance of the engine's cooling system is just as (or more) important as the other regular maintenance tasks that we perform on our BMWs and MINIs.

We recommend a coolant flush every two to three years if using the BMW/MINI coolant and distilled water (more often if other coolant or "tap" water is used). While the base Ethylene Glycol (EG) Antifreeze/Coolant (basically) holds its antifreeze properties for a very long time, the additives for corrosion protection, lubrication, etc, do not. The recommended 2-year interval is due to the Silicate anti-corrosion additives that are "used up" and begin to drop out of solution after about two years of service. When this happens, silicate build-up can happen within the radiator, heater core and engine passages.

When adding coolant, between flushes, always add the same coolant as the original fill. While adding a common green, orange, yellow or other, coolant (which have differing additive packages and base pH) will not immediately destroy your engine or cooling system, it will reduce the effectiveness of both the base and the added coolants. This will, at least, greatly reduce the service life or, at worst, start a corrosive cycle.

We mix the coolant with the distilled water in a 50/50 ratio. Using distilled water for your 50/50 mix is not specifically required, but in doing so, your coolant mixture will be much more stable and far less corrosive in the long term. This is due to the absence of the minerals and impurities that are removed in the distillation process. These impurities encourage electrolytic corrosion to the engine block, cylinder head, hoses and gaskets, damaging these parts and causing failures and need for repairs.


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All products noted in this video can be purchased in our online store, http://www.bavauto.com/, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are also welcome to e-mail us at [email protected] or call into our headquarters and speak to our knowledgeable advisors at (800) 535-2002 (Mon.-Thurs. 8AM to 9PM EST, Fri. 8AM to 7PM EST, and Sat. 9AM to 4PM EST).