Questions/suggestions ('97 328i 5spd)

[vmelikRUS]

Questions:
1. What will 100% antifreeze (0% water) mixture do to my cooling system? Is it very bad?
2. Is dust on Rims a sign of worn pads?
3. Which is the r-134a (refrigrant) "low-pressure" connection?
I see 2, both have black caps. One is near the windshield, the other near the headlight.


Suggestions:
I have a little coolant leaking through bleed screw (5-10 ml/trip). I don't know if this is normal, but it is a nuissance.
I have noticed that the hose from radiator to thermostat(left) is cooler, then the hot hose from the thermostat to radiator(right).
When squeezing the hoses I can hear air passing through a tiny opening near/from the bleed screw.
I don't see any leaks, other then from the bleed screw, but I smell coolant everytime I turn heat/AC on.
What can I do to stop the leak?

[97alpineM3]

Ok... first off... never put 100 percent coolant in your system... go to the FAQ section... and read the coolant write up I wrote a while back.. it will inform you beyond what you need to know.

As for your coolant leaking through the bleed screw... thats what it suppose to do if the screw is out... if I was you.. I'd take it to a euro mech... or a dealer.. .and have them do a correct instalation of the coolant... and bleeding proceedures... its not hard... but easy to mess up if you havnt done it before... if you want a good write up to read if your a DIY person... go to www.pelicanparts.com and then to tech articles... its a great site...

Good Luck,

Les

[vmelikRUS]

Originally posted by 97alpineM3@May 7 2005, 12:20 PM
Ok... first off... never put 100 percent coolant in your system... go to the FAQ section... and read the coolant write up I wrote a while back.. it will inform you beyond what you need to know.

As for your coolant leaking through the bleed screw... thats what it suppose to do if the screw is out... if I was you.. I'd take it to a euro mech... or a dealer.. .and have them do a correct instalation of the coolant... and bleeding proceedures... its not hard... but easy to mess up if you havnt done it before... if you want a good write up to read if your a DIY person... go to www.pelicanparts.com and then to tech articles... its a great site...

Good Luck,

Les

[snapback]341889[/snapback]

Thanks for reply Les,

Although I like technical info, I could not read your lengthy article, sorry. Anyway I skimmed through it though, and couldn't see a reason why not to use 100% antifreeze? I know the stuff is bad for health, but will it actually kill my system. I am not trying to gain performance or nothing, its just I currently have that mixture going, and was wondering if I should flush the system.

Also, the screw is on tight, and I don't know if something like that could be broken, or something else. I was told my 97 328i is self bleeding, and my car doesn't overheat since I changed the thermostat, so I think the cooling system is ok. I should flush the system and refill with a 50/50 mix, I agree. I think my mistake was partially draining the system when I did the Thermo switch. Anyway, do the symptoms I discribed sound like a broken bleed screw, result of saturated antifreeze mixture, or something else.

[Avlany]

For Question #2 , the answer is NO. It is a brake pads dust but it doesnt mean that your pads are bad, its just at some point you use em more than normaly.

[RedlinedRU]

The low pressure side of the cooling system is usually indicated by a significantly thicker hose where the port comes off. Usually the cap is a greenish color. Never connect to the high pressure side, a Haynes/Bentley manual should tell you exactly where it is. The thicker hose is the giveaway. Thicker = low pressure, thinner = high pressure.
I've recharged a few systems myself, its really easy once you do it the first time.

Don't ever put in 100% antifreeze. Ratios differ depending on where you live, but 50/50 will protect at almost any temperature.

Using antifreeze without mixing it with water can damage the engine by causing high operating temperatures. Additives in the antifreeze can also gum up cooling system passages and damage water pump seals.