Bleeding Radiartor

[schilke]

Okay, so here is my seinor moment for the month:

I have been having a hell of a time bleeding my cooling system since I changed out my thermostat. ghead

Nearly every time the engine gets warm, I see a little puddle under my car. Turn the key and the OBC yells to check coolant level. Okay, open hood, add water.

Now when the engine is hot, I go ahead and open the bleed screw and it burbles like a tea pot -- spitting steam and hot coolant.

So yesterday I add water, go for a drive. Waiting at a red light, I see my Temp needle PEG in the red. Pull off quick, pop hood, notice loose cap.

So I almost killed my babygirl last night.

QUESTION: WHY DO I SEE PUDDLES IN THE FIRST PLACE? They are ALWAYS on the driver's side. WHere is the over flow at?

!!!!

[007ben]

lose cap will spill coolant.

as for spilling coolant on the drivers side be sure all hoses are on tight. and that the radiator is ok. the plastic has a tendancy to break and crack.

[schilke]

Thanks, I think I am gonna have to pull the rad tonite. Update later...

[Q_BMW]

hey
in the mornings normall when i start the car when its cold, it normally says "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL". But after the car is on for a few minutes and i hit the check engine button on the OBC , it says everything is fine.
I was guessing it was just cuz the engine was cold and sensor was just too sensitivie...is that right ?
thanks
Q

[Q_BMW]

hey
in the mornings normall when i start the car when its cold, it normally says "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL". But after the car is on for a few minutes and i hit the check engine button on the OBC , it says everything is fine.
I was guessing it was just cuz the engine was cold and sensor was just too sensitivie...is that right ?
thanks
Q

[steve 92 325is]

It is possible you have air in your system. After changing my thermostat I had to bleed several time before gettting all the air out. Be sure heater is on and have someone reve the engine while bleeding it.

[007ben]

Q_BMW you need to add coolant if it says it when the engine is cold.

The message is only displayed for a second then control check is ok. (I've been there my self.)

[Q_BMW]

hey
thanks brn
i heard bmws require a special coolant ? what kind should i get ?
it said that when i got my last oil change but the guy there said coolant level was good.....
Q

[007ben]

if its below the line when pop the hood and check it its low, while its cold. and thats what your OBC is telling you too... if the engine is warm it could be higher or lower as the fluid expands and air expansion can affet it as well.

BMW coolant... you shuold be able to get at your dealer or order it from bavauto or many other BMW centric online stores.

[Q_BMW]

hey
ok thanks bro
Q

[schilke]

How do you know if you got all the air out? WHen I bleed, I open the tank and the screw, then run the engine. bubbles and steam issue forth for what seems like forever.

What is the right way to bleed?

[007ben]

does the fluid level go down?
pour more in if it does.. the less bubbles the better.

[schilke]

Well, while the car is running, and steam is issuing forth, the level in the surge tank bounces up and down. When the level of the tank is down, less steam. When the level of the tank is up, more steam and spitting.

Give it more gas, the surge tank overflows, less gas, less spillage...

[007ben]

try starting while the engine is cold.