I need to change the reservoir on my E36. Do I need to drain the radiator? Or, do I just drain the reservoir and work fast?
Thanks,
Marc
Marc Plante
E36 M3/4/5 193k
Konis+ Dinan Springs, Understeer SS, Shepott European steering Wheel, ZKW Ellipsoids, ECIS Intake+ ATE Foam filter, Stromung Exhaust, Recaro SRDs. JVC Arsenal Head Unit. Alpine MRV-F300 Amp, ADS 535i components, JL Audio Stealthbox Subs
My Track Rig:
i7700 / 2080 PC with Assetto Corsa and Content Manager, Samsung Odyssey+ VR goggles
Fanatec CSP wheel and pedals, SSH Shifter, recaro seat. Home built cockpit
Mt Pleasant, SC, USA
last time i've done this i just worked quickly.
'95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!
The less messy way is to drain the radiator, yes. You're gonna have to add coolant and bleed it after regardless, so it's just a matter of needing more fresh coolant if you drain the radiator. Everything else is the same.
1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy
I'd drain the radiator into a big drain pan, then drain the expansion tank as possible. Personally, I can't imagine how you're not going to dump pretty much all the coolant., except what might be held captive in the block. The E36 reservoir is pretty troublesome, to me, but maybe others know tricks which I don't....
Chris Powell
Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
BMWCCA 274412
German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471
it's been a while since i've done this on my e36, but, i know the time i did it i did not drain the radiator. well, now that i think about it - maybe that was changing out the level sensor.....hmmm....
'95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!
Draining the radiator is easy. Draining the engine block thankfully isn't really necessary for this unless you're doing the water pump or thermostat at the same time. The plug for the block typically requires the removal of one of the pre-cat O2 sensors in order to get at it, and then splashes all over the pipes.
1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy
K. I'll suck it up and drain the radiator. I figure rushing with fluid running out of the bottom line will likely lead to some awkward amateur oversight.
History is that I THOUGHT I had a bad sensor seal so I changed the sensor. very easy to drain the reservoir to do that with my mityvac... Then I noticed a pin hole in the reservoir itself...trip #2.
Yes, its factory
Yes its new (about a year old).
They just don't make them like they used to...sigh.
MP
Marc Plante
E36 M3/4/5 193k
Konis+ Dinan Springs, Understeer SS, Shepott European steering Wheel, ZKW Ellipsoids, ECIS Intake+ ATE Foam filter, Stromung Exhaust, Recaro SRDs. JVC Arsenal Head Unit. Alpine MRV-F300 Amp, ADS 535i components, JL Audio Stealthbox Subs
My Track Rig:
i7700 / 2080 PC with Assetto Corsa and Content Manager, Samsung Odyssey+ VR goggles
Fanatec CSP wheel and pedals, SSH Shifter, recaro seat. Home built cockpit
Mt Pleasant, SC, USA
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