Your suggestion on radiator flush

[RedBeemer95]

Refreshing your mind, I am the one who has a coolant leak, and stupid enough in topping of the coolant with the tap water. I am expecting my waterpump on monday or tuesday for delivery? So, in the mean while I am thinking of changing the coolant (Now with an exclusively "BMW Coolant" with "Distilled Water") before working on the water pump. I know its all in one process.. changing the water pump and the radiator flush, it will be a double job if i do it now.. But I gotta work some thing today on my car (and also to get some ecperience by the time I replace my water pump). So, can I change my coolant by flushing and refilling with the new one now? and the most important question is, by the time I change my water pump, can I re-use this coolant again to refill. Please advice?

This is my first job on the car and a little bit concern about running into serious problems. So, just to make sure before I started working.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

there is a bolt or soemthing under neath the rad. that u can open and let drain
and then wash out with water, put a hose or get distilled water and wash it out, and then add new fluid.

[RedBeemer95]

When I use the pressure test today. The pressure is dropping, but I really coudn't confirm that its from the water pump. Since my mechanic said the leak is in water pump, I decided to change it. I see a very very very small leakage when its parked. But when drove for abt 50-60 mins I see a noticeable amount of leakage.

Also the pressure is dropping from the adapter where the air is coming out from the top of the adapter. Even though I hold it tight at that position. stopping no leakage from the adapter. I see a pressure dropping very very slowly like..... 1-2 psi per 2-3 secs. So, definitley there is a leakage. which I am seeing from behind the pulleys.

So, what do you guys think of from my input. is it just the water pump or some thing else. FYI -- my mechanic has replaced the themostat and themostat housing just 2 weeks back which doesn't stop the leakage. and the previous owner has replaced the water pump and all the cooling system like an year ago(jun'03) .

Really appreciate your ideas. I know I am giving the input again... but guys this is my first time owning a BMW and working on the car. so, plz excuse me if I am boring with my input. Just to clarify and make sure I am doing it right.. Look while I am topping tap water I didn't really thought I am stupid. So, we never know.

Thanks.

[RedBeemer95]

Yeah I have a procedure (which I got from these previous posts). for doing a radiator flush. But my questions is if I do the flush and refill it today.

1. Can I drove for a little while today? (Because I really don't want to see my car in the garage for a long -- Since there is a very small leakage).

and after I replace my water pump, can I refill with this new coolant or do I again need remix with the new BMW coolant and distilled water?

[e36_m3_Turbo]

did the last owner but the same pump in? the plastic one? or the metal?

[97alpineM3]

Aight bro... this is the DL on this sub.

Since you are having a leak... and I dont think you know where its coming from.. I've read so many coolant leak posts in the past months its not funny... any ways...

Your taking a good first step into finding the problem. Starting with the water pump...

I suggest: After you take your fan out and if you leave the shroud in...(because that contains the exspantion tank..) turn the car on.. and get a mirror out.. *(dont let the car run for too long... that fan is important, and since for this experiment.. it wont be there..)* and look at and around the pump.. and around the thermostate housing... and check for leaks... because you will have more room to move a mirror to see.

As for the coolant flush.. I would flush the system with Distilled water only.. it wont hurt anything.. and I wouldnt flush it with the same coolant/water mixture you plane to use. That is just asking for it to get stuff in it.. that you want to flush out before you put that new stuff in there. So.. buy three more gallons of distilled water.. and flusher her.... I've done this many many times... its the best thing.. because you are getting rid of the rest of that old coolant.. that has degraded additives in it... phosphates... ect.. I'm not getting into chemicals right now.. but its just good to run clean water through there.. and not the stuff you plane to use for the next two years.

Hope this helps.... If you have any questions when your doing this.. just PM... I'd love to help.

[RedBeemer95]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ... I feel there is some thing funny to share with you... I cannot wait to work on my car so, I started doing radiator flush and when I remove the radiator drain plug .. the coolant is coming as its pissing... hhahahahaahah looks funny and its flushing very slowly..is it the way its supposed to do ??... I am happy because i started working ... I have no one to share except this forum... man I love this forum.... hahaahhahaahah.


ll post you updated when the plug stops pissing..... hihihihihi.

[97alpineM3]

Yes... the plug that is located underneath the exhaust manifold is a total ass when it comes to draining... gets every where.. and there is pretty much no way to not get hit by some of that stuff.... make sure your radiator cap is open.. so you can get all of that stuff out...

Its refreshing to hear an expression of love towards BMW.... its a passion that is dear to my heart... Thanks! That made my day...

[RedBeemer95]

Originally posted by e36_m3_Turbo@Aug 15 2004, 03:23 PM
did the last owner but the same pump in? the plastic one? or the metal?

When I look into the last owner's records..the part no: 11517503884 and on my google search it has given me this:

http://www.eap4parts.com/index.html?target...html&lang=en-us

which says "Water pump" original BMW-- so i guess its the platic one:

Any way here is some info which helps for us to make a decision ...from the previous records:

Job done : 06/10/03

Problem: Engine Over headted:
Parts replaced:

11517503884 -- Water Pump - s

11521712058 -- Fan Balde - s

11527505302 -- Fan clutch - s

11537511580 -- Themostat - s

11531740437 -- Gasket - s
Antifreeze -- Coolant - N

25050350 (ps) -- Belt - s
25060615 (ps) -- Belt -s

This is the description given : car towed in over heated. Pressure test coolant system found water pump leaking remove old water pump found impeller exploded and locked up water pump. also Themostat broken from pressure. Unstall NE water pump and themostat. Check fan clutch and blade. Replace both. Refill coolant system, Install new drive belts . road test car..


This is all from the previous owner... below is the info done by my mechanic a week ago:

Problem: CUST think he has a coolant leak. He is seeing coolant on floor when engine is very hot. Themostat is leaking. Replaced thermostat.

Parts replaced:
11 53 7 511 580 Themostat
11 53 1 740 437 Gasket
11 53 1 722 531 Themostat Housing

Total charges: $200.01(USD)

I asked the mechanic to fix the problem. But later after a week I see leakage and when I called him and had a check up then he was saying there is a water pump leakage...

So, looking into alll the previous jobs done to my 95 325i what do u guys think of the problem might be?

Thanks for your support guys.

ps: it stopped pissing so, I m gonna do the next step.... be back..

[97alpineM3]

Well... you had the old impellar.. a plastic one... and now you bought a metle one right????? Hope so....

Do you have the pump yet?.. or are you just doing some steps to same time before the pump gets there...???

[RedBeemer95]

before owning my BMW.. after hearing from the previous BMW owners I wondered why these people love the car so much and we can see in their face now I understand not after owning it but when started working on it (ofcourse only the support from this forum guys trust me ... its been a long time that I am so happy I really can't express here hahahahahahahahaha).

I am going to get more distilled water to flush the system.. see u

[97alpineM3]

Congrats.... working on BMWs is a passion.. good to hear you found that.

Keep us updated...

[RedBeemer95]

Originally posted by 97alpineM3@Aug 15 2004, 04:21 PM
Well... you had the old impellar.. a plastic one... and now you bought a metle one right????? Hope so....

Do you have the pump yet?.. or are you just doing some steps to same time before the pump gets there...???

yeah its the plastic one...now I am getting a metallic(reason it was too late)... guys look... when I bought the water pump from my mechanic few days bask he charged be 111.12 .(which is also a plastic). So, I returned back and ordered on the bimmerparts for around $37.00 ... those dealers really sucks...

I am expecting the pump monday or tuesday. The reason I started is I cannot wait until it gets:

Looks like I am like a baby learning alphabets

So, what ever may be the reason do you want me to replace the water pump .. because i Coudn't figured the leakage from the water pump from my pressure test. but I see a leakage.

[97alpineM3]

Well if you see a leak... coming from the pump... then there is a possibility that the O-ring has failed.... either way.. it was only 37 dollars.. and you have a new water pump to not worry about for a while... Sometimes when your dealing with leaks... and you cant exactly find out where they are coming from.. it is just best.. to take educated guesses in what is leaking.. and replace it.. and hope that it fixes the problem.

Just make sure when you put the new pump in.. to take a little coolant on your finger.. and lubricate the O-ring a little... it will help it set properly.. and keep it from dry rotting for a while... But make sure you slid the pump in smothely. and tighten down the four nuts to the proper torque....

[RedBeemer95]

Originally posted by 97alpineM3@Aug 15 2004, 03:54 PM
Yes... the plug that is located underneath the exhaust manifold is a total ass when it comes to draining... gets every where.. and there is pretty much no way to not get hit by some of that stuff.... make sure your radiator cap is open.. so you can get all of that stuff out...

Its refreshing to hear an expression of love towards BMW.... its a passion that is dear to my heart... Thanks! That made my day...

Alpine -- i Coudn't figure out where this engine block drain plug is ?? what/where is exhaust manifold ??

Thanks for your instant responses dude!!!

Do you guys have any pics to locate

The one I am following (http://www.logun.org/waterpmp.htm) is not clear enough to locate. pics posted would greatly appreciated. I ll try from google in the mean while.