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Thread: Only 4L of Coolant

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southern California
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    31
    My Cars
    '13 328i E93; '99 528it

    Only 4L of Coolant

    Long time lurker first time post here. I've read thru countless DIY posts on coolant flushes and watched dozens of YT videos that I could walk thru the process in my head.
    Then I finally went for it and attempred a coolant flush on my daughter's 2003 E46. I never could crack the engine block drain plug so I just flushed the system a couple times and drained thru radiator petcock valve until it was mostly distilled water coming out. I ran the engine and heater during the flush so that the water pump would force water/old coolant thru the system esp from the engine block.
    When I saw that it was finally draining mostly distilled water I began to fill with premixed BMW coolant (1 gal or about 4L). I was planning to add 2L of pure coolant then top the rest (about 2L) with distilled water to try to get 50/50 mix as much as possible. I may have underestimated how much water was left in the block/system because it would not take any more than the first 4L of premixed coolant I put in. The system coolant capacity is 8.8L.
    I bled the system anyway then drove it around till it reached operating temp. Now waiting for it to cool down. Im hoping coolant would have settled and then I can add more pure coolant to balance out 50/50 mix.
    So did I screw up somewhere here and need to reflush the whole system again? At least Im finding no apparent coolant leaks.
    Thanks for your help!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Arlington, VA
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    9,931
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    The block holds a lot of coolant. Not getting the block drain out prevents that coolant from draining. It sounds like you did a good job replacing the coolant. I would keep an eye on the coolant level for a week or so just to make sure that all of the air is out of the system.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    31
    My Cars
    '13 328i E93; '99 528it
    Thanks Marco. After it cooled down last night the coolant level settled and I was able to add a little more coolant. I checked again this morning and while the coolant settled some more the level indicator is at max. So it sounds like the block holds about 45-50% of coolant? I'll have to remember that for next time around.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    You’re welcome.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
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    2004 330 vert 2004 X5
    If you were adding premixed 50/50 coolant then you have a problem. You added 4L of premix so now your concentration is only 25% coolant. If you can't get the block drain plug out then you'll have to repeat your process and add a gallon of full strength coolant.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    31
    My Cars
    '13 328i E93; '99 528it
    Thanks, Fly! I considered that. I wanted to use up the pre-mix before I cracked open a new bottle of coolant. Anyway, after the cool down I continued bleeding the system and added pure coolant until all of the air was out. I'll continue to check thru the week.

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