How to change coolant?

[BMW 528]

I have this 528i and I think it's time to change coolant.
I saw the system is under the pressure, after driving.

P.S. my radiator is Nissens Made in Denmark.

What you guys thing, which coolant is the best and how to do it, how to flush it?

Thanx.

[thejlevie]

The safe bet is BMW coolant mixed 50:50 with distilled water. To change the coolant drain the system from the radiator and block drains, refill with fresh, and bleed the system. The bleed procedure I use is:

1) Using ramps or a jack get the front of the car 1' or more higher than
the rear. That will make the radiator and bleed screw the highest point
on the engine and facilitate removal of air.

2) With the bleed screw open, add coolant until no more air comes out of
the bleed.

3) Leave the filler cap off, or at least loose, and set the heat for max
temp and fan speed. Leaving the cap loose will prevent air that's still
in the system from causing a "coolant fountain" once the engine heats
up. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating temp. As it
warms up occasionally crack the bleed screw to release any air and top
up the coolant as necessary.

4) Once the engine is at temp bring it up to 2000-2500 for a few seconds
several times. Then crack the bleed until no more air is released. At
this point the heater should be throwing lots of hot air, which
indicates that the heater core is filled with coolant. You may have to
repeat this a few times to get all the air out.

5) Drive the car a bit, allow it to cool back down, and recheck the
bleed for air. Over the next few days you may get very small amounts (a
few bubbles) of air out of the bleed screw.

[Qsilver7]

Save these two websites to your favorites folders...a lot of maintenance & upgrade/mod write-ups and tutorials have been archived for you to use at anytime you may need them...not sure if they have a coolant flush procedure listed...but lots of other stuff is there:

• www.e38.org/e39
• www.bmwtips.com

[BMW 528]

Thank you guys.

I did this today, I bought just 3 litres OMV antifreeze to our BMW dealer (that's what the using) and 6 litres dest. water.
They didn't have more than 3 litres!!!
I think I have to buy 2 more litres.

But, again system is under the pressure and temp is 93 C celsius. Is that OK?

[BlackSapphire]

The system should be under pressure. That has nothing to do with the quality/age/etc. of your coolant.

[ezbmr]

Like with a pressure cooker, the more pressure the system has the higher the boiling point is, boiling point is usually 212f or 100c with 15 lbs of pressure, as in our system, the boiling point is more like 230 or so.

[Garrison5]

Try going to Pelican Parts and look this up in their technical section. They have a decent article complete with photos for reference.