eMotors.ca and author of the article below cannot in any way be held responsible nor liable for any of the content or for any use or misuse of the information provided in the article. eMotors.ca and the author of the article cannot guarantee the accuracy or correctness of the information provided in the article, therefore, the information provided by the article can only be used at your own risk.
The content and the photos of this article are copyrighted and provided as a courtesy by

Coolant / Thermostat

Author : Bill R Posted on : 03/12/2004
Model : BMW, 5 - Series (E34) 1989-96 Category : Engine - Cooling System
Source : http://www.bmwe34.net
 


Engine coolant should be changed every two years on the E34. Coolant is a mix of water and anti-freeze. Because this mix looses its additives, it should be replaced. It might also be a good thing to change the thermostat in the mean time.
Coolant is poisonous, especially to pets (and children). Always clean the area after with water.
Use BMW Coolant only as the other coolant will damage your radiators and headgasket.

Also check: Hoses replacement procedure.



Procedure
19mm + 13mm socket
1 gal BMW coolant + 1.5 gal distilled water
Redline water wetter (not required)
New crush washers
Proximity of a garden hose
1. Work on the engine when cold. Place the car on ramps or stands.
2. Remove the coolant reservoir cap and turn the temperature controls to full warm.
3. Place a 3 gallon pan under the radiator drain plug then remove the 13mm drain plug.
4. Move the pan under the under the block drain plug (located at the rear of the engine, on the exhaust side below cylinder #6). Spray with WD40 then remove 19mm drain plug. I think you should be prepared because it is going to be messy.
5. Run fresh water from your garden hose via the expension tank until clean water runs out.
6. Place the drain plugs back at their original location with new crush washers.
7. Prepare the mix of 50% distilled water and 50% coolant BMW brand coolant only.
Buy 2 gallons and get a third empty jug. Fill the empty just halfway with distilled and then add half of one gallon jug of the bmw coolant to it... Then fill up the half empty bmw coolant jug with distilled water. You'll now have 2 gallons ready to use at 50/50 mix and one gallon uncut..
After using those 2 mixed you may have to use a little of the uncut one.
Just follow the same procedure , pour half into an empty jug and fill with distilled water ... That way you always have some sitting around already mixed up and ready to use.... Its not a good idea to pout the coolant straight into the system and then adding water... Its much better to mix it beforehand, plus then you can always have premixed ready to use.
8. Remove the bleed screw then poor the mix slowly into the coolant reservoir up to the cold coolant level mark. Add the water wetter in the process.
9. Put the bleed screw back in place without tightening it. Proceed with bleeding.



Bleeding
Radiator mounted expansion tank:
1. Loosen the bleed screw on top of radiator expansion tank and let the coolant flow out as you pour it in the reservoir. Tighten the screw when the flow out is free of air bubbles.
Separate expansion tank:
1. Loosen the bleed screw on top of thermostat housing and let the coolant flow out as you pour it in the reservoir. Tighten the screw when the flow out is smooth and free of air bubbles.

2. Set the temperature setting to full warm and start engine.
3. When the car is going to reach his normal temperature you might going to need to add more coolant. Always check the coolant level.
4. With engine idling at normal temperature, open the bleed screw and tighten it when coolant is spilling out smoothly and free of air bubbles.
5. Repeat bleeding, and again and again.
6. Do it a few times to avoid overheating.

M20 Bleeding experience by moots:

Just to share a simple method to bleed the cooling system.I really cannot comprehend why we need to bleed,bleed and re-bleed the cooling system after every maintenence.I did this after replacing the thermostat and flushing the coolant:
(Mine's an m20 engine with the reservoir by the side of the rad)
1.Fill up the rad with the plastic bleeder screw(on reservoir) and metal bleeder screw(on t-stat housing),open.
2.When full,put a finger over the reservoir bleed hole and blow,yes,blow into the reservoir filler neck.(we are basically pressurising the system)
3.When water flows out of the t-stat housing bleed hole,tighten the screw.
4.Top up reservoir if required.
5.Now blow again until coolant exits the reservoir bleed hole and tighten when bubble free.
6.Top up coolant to the cold/kalt mark,tighten cap.You're done. No more bleeding required as all air is purged from the system. I have done this 4 times on three cars and it worked like a charm.


Thermostat replacement
1. Engine cold, partially drain the radiator if necessary.
530i - 540i M60:
2. Remove upper section of air cleaner and air flow sensor. You might want to remove the cooling fan and fan shroud for better clearance. The thermostat is located in the thermostat housing as part of the coolant pump.

525i - 535i M20 M30 M50:
2. The thermostat is located in the thermostat housing at the front of the engine.

3. Remove the bolts of the housing, note how the thermostat is installed then remove it.
4. Install the new thermostat with a new seal. Installation is the reverse of removal. Add coolant and bleed, bleed, bleed...

• When doing the thermostat the arrow on it needs to be pointing straight up and if you want to make the job of bleeding easier drill a 1/16 hole directly through the thermostat where the arrow is located (tricks from BMW tech's) which allows the thermostat the bleed easier. Trick from LINGLE

Thank you Bill R
 

Pictures

Picture 1

Click on the thumbnails to see larger images.

 

References

  • http://www.bmwe34.net
    •  


    How to replace an E36 6-cylinder waterpump
    Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Engine - Cooling System
    ... 16mm or 8mm allen depending on model/year) and a breaker bar to turn the tensioner pulley bolt clockwise, slip the belt off of the pulleys. 5) Remove the waterpump pulley bolts, remove the waterpump pulley, remove the waterpump nuts. 6) Thread in M6 bolts in to the threaded lugs on the sides of the old waterpump. Tighten the bolts, they will push the old pump out of the block. Pitch the old ... (more)
    Posted : 26 October 2004 Author : Chris
     
    Fan Clutch Removal Mod
    Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Engine - Cooling System
    ... between the engine and the radiator, it may take a little force. Use a 10mm socket to first three bolts securing the thermostat housing to the engine. Then use a 13mm socket to remove the final bolt, that bolt also attaches an engine lift hook, remove the other bolt attaching that lift hook also and remove the hook. Pull the thermostat housing away from the block and, if you left the hoses ... (more)
    Posted : 26 October 2004 Author : Chris
     
    Replacing the Thermostat and Flushing the Coolant
    Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Engine - Cooling System
    ... of any dirt using a brush. Put the fan aside but store it in an upright position (the same as it normally is in your car). 21. Remove the two bolts which secure the engine lift bracket then remove the bracket. 22. Remove the remaining 3 bolts to the thermostat housing then lift out the housing. 23. Once the thermostat housing is removed, the thermostat will be visible. There will be a small ... (more)
    Posted : 29 October 2004 Author : Baden Smith
     
    Electrical Fan
    Model : BMW, 5 - Series (E34) 1989-96 Category : Engine - Cooling System
    ... the shroud and must not touch the water pump pulley, the fan blade must not touch the radiator neither... No trick, just plain metal forming with basic tools... Good luck. 3. And voila: the final product. I used 4 screws and nuts to hold the fan to the shroud. I welded two wires to the fan wire (they are pretty short) and used shrink wrap to protect the connection. a) Perma cool adjustable ... (more)
    Posted : 5 December 2004 Author : Bruno
     
    BMW E36 Thermostat Removal And Coolant Flush
    Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Engine - Cooling System
    ... is in your car). Step 21: Remove the two bolts which secure the engine lift bracket then remove the bracket. Step 22: Remove the remaining 3 bolts to the thermostat housing then lift out the housing. Step 23: Once the thermostat housing is removed, the thermostat will be visible. There will be a small arrow stamped on the thermostat. Observe the orientation of the arrow on the thermostat ... (more)
    Posted : 18 May 2005  
     
    Browse by title :
    # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
    Browse by make :
    A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | M | N | P | S | T | V