DAMN you BMW

[MisterBimmerMan]

What would possess BMW to put the engine drain bolt right next to one of the 02 sensors? I can barely get to it and I have no hand room to loosen the bolt. What a PITA:mad

[bonoz]

The coolant drain bolt?

[Goon]

ay? Which drain bolt are you talking about?

[MisterBimmerMan]

Yea the coolant drain bolt.

[TCarlisle]

I removed the O2 sensor and placed it above the drain plug so as not to drench the wires and O2 sensor with coolant.

I actually credit the BMW engineers, because if I have to flush the coolant every year, and to do that I have to remove that O2 sensor, that means that O2 senors won't get baked into the exhaust and be impossible to remove when I need to replace it every 5 years or so. :D

[MisterBimmerMan]

Does the 02 sensor require a 19mm? (wrench)

[MisterBimmerMan]

bump

[jaguax]

The coolant drain bolt is in a Polish location, however I had no trouble getting it off with a standard wrench. Then again I have skinny arms/hands/fingers.


If you don't wanna soak the O2 sensor or spray coolant all over your face, only loosen it a bit, just enough so that it neatly pours out. I made the mistake of completely taking the bolt out, and that made a BIG mess.

[os2]

Does the 02 sensor require a 19mm? (wrench)

it's a special 22mm socket tool for 1/2" wrench, can get it pretty much any auto store, costs about $10. makes removal a snap

[jackcass]

I've done this a few times, always just leaving the O2 sensor in place. Don't pull the bolt all the way out---just let it drain out slowly and hopefully (fairly) neatly until you feel comfortable taking it out all the way.