Hello, first post. Question about coolant / brake fluid change

[BenM635i]

Hello all - just registered and first post so be gentle :)

Based in the UK, own a M635 1984 manual... handed down from father. Car has seen little use over last 5 years as i have not had time to love it, however now is the time to get her shiny and loved again.

Over the last 15 years its had an engine rebuild and all maintenance done... massive folder of receipts and generally she is in ok condition.

Just got her started after a 6 month rest... she wouldnt go for some reason and finally i got it sorted by bypassing the OBD immobiliser box and replacing the main and fuel relays. She is purring beautifully now so its time to get her fluids changed and then tax on the window then drive her again.

Question around the coolant (i did search however there are so many conflicting pieces of advice out there). I want to change the cooolant and wonder if i need to get the BMW stuff, is it advisable? Local stealer has quoted £11.08L for theirs and ill need around 5 litres at a 50/50 mix... do i need to spend £60 for the BMW stuff or is there a brand that i can substitute? Is it worth skimping here?

Also i need to do a brake fluid change, any particular need to use BMW supplied here? Can i use the local auto shop's basic brand?

Thanks for any help you can offer... will be plenty more questions to come. (Oil leak, horrible hard to reach place under engine somewhere i cant even see from underneath, around power steering pump coming from block i think / air con needs gassing and possibly seals / 'banjo bolts' oil line / wheels - all on the list of tasks).

[dcains]

I have always used whatever name-brand aluminum-compatible coolant that's readily available. Here in he states, Prestone Dexcool is my typical choice. I don't see the need for BMW's own brand.

The requirement for brake fluid is DOT3/4, and I've been pretty set on the Ate Super Blue or Typ 200 for 20+ years. They're actually both the same, but the former has a blue color and the latter is gold/yellow. On the E24, the brakes and clutch share the same fkuid reservoir, so don't forget to bleed the clutch system. Pick up a few liters, and if you have a pressure bleeder it's a quick and simple task.

Enjoy the car, welcome, and post some pics for us.

[BenM635i]

I have always used whatever name-brand aluminum-compatible coolant that's readily available. Here in he states, Prestone Dexcool is my typical choice. I don't see the need for BMW's own brand.

The requirement for brake fluid is DOT3/4, and I've been pretty set on the Ate Super Blue or Typ 200 for 20+ years. They're actually both the same, but the former has a blue color and the latter is gold/yellow. On the E24, the brakes and clutch share the same fkuid reservoir, so don't forget to bleed the clutch system. Pick up a few liters, and if you have a pressure bleeder it's a quick and simple task.

Enjoy the car, welcome, and post some pics for us.

Cheers Dean... ill have a wander down to the local auto shop and see what they have. Will do a full flush anyway so shouldn't have a problem with the old and new mixing. Really dont mind spending the money on the BMW stuff if its needed however if i can avoid $100+ for coolant then i will. Aim is to do the coolant tomorrow then tackle the brake fluid next week as have leave from work to use up. Thanks for tips on clutch etc, ill research over the weekend before tackling the job.

Pulled the kidney grills today as some twat reversed into the car when it lived outside mums house.. going to sand and reshape and spray then fit back next week too.

Car was my dad's pride and joy and i feel guilty for not looking after it with the respect it deserves over last few years. Still nothing is ruined and she has been under cover and indoors for the whole time so hasnt rusted away... bit of TLC and lots of £££ and she will be shiny again.

Couple of old pics here, new ones to follow in a few months once i have worked through my list of cosmetic tasks:

https://photos-3.dropbox.com/t/2/AAASa02Qg-2kKnxI19ZhwCKcTrQbZ9rNFq_1yWBkWIMbQQ/12/190944075/jpeg/256x256/1/_/1/2/DSCN1216.JPG/EO66_ZABGKcBIAIoAg/HQLDr_iPY-HCgH5jfxhn8AxOm6GJLJ5Crz9sMhgyPg0?size_mode=3&size=2048x1536

https://photos-4.dropbox.com/t/2/AACLQkCb4JrhkEjKFQS5fk1Q-NYC2f6X6iBpQZ6ZGzy05g/12/190944075/jpeg/256x256/1/_/1/2/DSCN1218.JPG/EO66_ZABGKcBIAIoAg/d6g8GsYIYGF0LspoVqteEvy4D-JtNX-ZtNK1V00bfiQ?size_mode=3&size=2048x1536

[smashervt]

I used some fluid that had good reviews and said meant for BMWs and other german cars so I took it. Works okay but that is because either I got oil leaking into the coolant or the radiator is really dirty it turned brown after cycling around the engine. Your oil leak sounds like what I have. It is probably a leaky oil pan gasket. I found out when I was looking under my car and noticed this giant clump of oil going from the bottom of the engine to the middle of the car. Seemed to stop dripping as the oil probably clogged the leak haha. I need to clean it and replace the gasket but I have never changed my oil myself and I am scared.

[mauryc]

I agree. WRT to brake fluid, I've always alternated between ATE blue and gold between flushes. Makes it easy to see when new fluid is coming out at the calipers. Unfortunately, we can't get blue over here anymore because of some goofy law that the fluid must be clear or amber, unless that has changed.

Maury

[BenM635i]

Just ordered this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ate-TYP-200-High-Performance-Racing-Quality-Brake-System-Fluid-1L-DOT4-LONG-LIFE-/262176898082?hash=item3d0af5fc22:g:5WEAAOSwv-NWYwT~

Thanks gentlemen for all assistance so far... replied with some photos but waiting for the admins to authorise the post.

[dcains]

I agree. WRT to brake fluid, I've always alternated between ATE blue and gold between flushes. Makes it easy to see when new fluid is coming out at the calipers. Unfortunately, we can't get blue over here anymore because of some goofy law that the fluid must be clear or amber, unless that has changed.

Maury

That's because people like me find the blue fluid extra tasty ;) Really, though, I'm an RN, and I have taken care of patients who drink brake fluid to get high, although I'm not sure if any preferred the Super Blue. Probably just what's cheapest, but it all leads to liver failure in short time.

- - - Updated - - -


I used some fluid that had good reviews and said meant for BMWs and other german cars so I took it. Works okay but that is because either I got oil leaking into the coolant or the radiator is really dirty it turned brown after cycling around the engine. Your oil leak sounds like what I have. It is probably a leaky oil pan gasket. I found out when I was looking under my car and noticed this giant clump of oil going from the bottom of the engine to the middle of the car. Seemed to stop dripping as the oil probably clogged the leak haha. I need to clean it and replace the gasket but I have never changed my oil myself and I am scared.

I'm not sure what you're saying, because your description isn't clear, but if you have mixing coolant and oil, it's not your oil pan gasket.

Brown coolant may just be rust in the system, and it should flush out. If you have oil or coolant that looks like a chocolate milk shake, you've got big problems. Perhaps a head gasket, cracked block or head, etc.

[smashervt]

Oh the oil pan is a different issue. Car runs fine but yea looks like diarrhea and smells like it too. Flushed it once and a second time when replacing thermostat.

[BenM635i]

Quick question, when draining coolant ill find the plug on the radiator (or pull the bottom hose) however there is supposed to be a block drain plug too. Does anyone know where this is located, M6 engine...

Q1) From what i can tell its towards rear of engine piston 6, around sump / exhaust?
Q2) Is it worth popping or will draining the radiator alone to the trick?
Q3) M6 engine, BMW documentation states that it bleeds itself (as opposed to 635csi which has a bleed screw).. so i just open heater and run and keep expansion tank topped while watching temperature carefully?

Cheers in advance! I promise to become less high maintenance and start giving back once i find my feet a little :)

[alpinacsi]

The block drain plug is a 17mm hex head and is in the location as you stated. Generally best reached from below.

[BenM635i]

The block drain plug is a 17mm hex head and is in the location as you stated. Generally best reached from below.

Cheers - ill jack up the RHS of car and put an axle stand under her to be safe while reaching under engine... sussed where the jack points are located under the rails. Also, assume that there is a large jack point under engine on main member - looks to be safe to support the car and also is called out as a jack location by some other forum posters.

[RSheiman]

We no longer have the option of Ate blue to alternate with the gold to know when the system is totally bled but you do and should take advantage of that.

I will anticipate a question you will have.....there is a bleeder screw that lives on top of the thermostat housing, you will need to open it when refilling and also when your engine is warm (and heat is on full) to bleed the system of air.

[Sansouci]

When you drain the coolant, also clean out the overflow tank as it is probably nasty. Put it in the dishwasher but not with the dinner dishes.