[rt-man]

Hello, can someone direct me to a DIY thread for this or direct me to an existing thread? I'm sure one exists already. Can't figure out where to drain it...no petcock (old school) or drain plug or radiator main cap that I can see. 2016 X3 35i

I already bought OE BMW coolant. Thanks.

[evilchargerfan]

seems like they want us to drain by removing the hose and spilling it

Draining coolant:

Release sealing cap on the coolant expansion tank.

Release and detach coolant hoses (1) at radiator .

Drain, catch and dispose of coolant.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...check/EQpQ78sM

[evilchargerfan]

not sure if you've already replaced your expansion tank .... but here, just in case:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...rts/1VnYm43pwu




Once you're all done playing with coolant and hoses, dont forget the self bleed procedure

• Fill expansion tank slowly with the 50/50 coolant mixture.
• If bleed screws were opened, close each as the coolant begins to come out of the bleeder.
• Once the bleeder on the expansion tank (if equipped) is flowing coolant and has been closed, fill expansion tank to the lower edge of the filler neck.
• Install the coolant cap.
• Connect a battery charger to the battery or jumper cable ports under the hood.
• Turn ignition to the ON position. If equipped with a START button, push button (with key fob installed or active), but do not depress the brake or clutch pedals. This will turn the ignition on, but not crank the starter.
• Set heater temp to MAX and blower to low speed.
• Press the accelerator pedal to the floor for 10 seconds.
• The self bleeding procedure will begin (via the electric water pump) and will run for about 12 minutes. During this time the water pump will alternately turn on and off. Do not remove cap while bleeding procedure is running.
• When bleeding is complete, double check coolant level and adjust as required. Replace coolant cap.

https://blog.bavauto.com/12402/bmw-a...cement-how-to/

[evilchargerfan]

ONE MORE THING. The hose at the bottom of the expansion tank is beyond brittle. I think I broke mine simply by sneezing on it. I bought 1 to have on deck, just in case ... and I did end up needed it / using it

17128651298 - Coolant Recover Hose

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ery-tank-hose-
x3-17127601859

[383vett]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

ONE MORE THING. The hose at the bottom of the expansion tank is beyond brittle. I think I broke mine simply by sneezing on it. I bought 1 to have on deck, just in case ... and I did end up needed it / using it

17128651298 - Coolant Recover Hose

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ery-tank-hose-
x3-17127601859

Been there, done that.

[Wgosma]

I'm getting ready to drain/re-fill my cooling system. Car has N52 (normally aspirated) engine. I'm wondering about this 'pull the hoses off the radiator' business??? Both the main hoses look like they connect quite a distance above the bottom of the radiator, so I'm wondering if that is best place to drain?

I got under the car, see pic - there is one smaller hose that connects to raditor very near the radiator's bottom/lowest point. I'm thinking this would be THE hose to remove.

Thoughts/comments/recommendations, etc.. ?
Thanks/Bill

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I'm getting ready to drain/re-fill my cooling system. Car has N52 (normally aspirated) engine. I'm wondering about this 'pull the hoses off the radiator' business??? Both the main hoses look like they connect quite a distance above the bottom of the radiator, so I'm wondering if that is best place to drain?

I got under the car, see pic - there is one smaller hose that connects to raditor very near the radiator's bottom/lowest point. I'm thinking this would be THE hose to remove.

Thoughts/comments/recommendations, etc.. ?
Thanks/Bill

Did coolant drain and refill...here's the BMW (blue) Lifetime fluid at 92K miles, hmm......

[383vett]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Did coolant drain and refill...here's the BMW (blue) Lifetime fluid at 92K miles, hmm......

Wow, your waterpump still going after 92K?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by 383vett

Wow, your waterpump still going after 92K?

original pump still ticking right along!

[guarodc]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I'm getting ready to drain/re-fill my cooling system. Car has N52 (normally aspirated) engine. I'm wondering about this 'pull the hoses off the radiator' business??? Both the main hoses look like they connect quite a distance above the bottom of the radiator, so I'm wondering if that is best place to drain?

I got under the car, see pic - there is one smaller hose that connects to raditor very near the radiator's bottom/lowest point. I'm thinking this would be THE hose to remove.

Thoughts/comments/recommendations, etc.. ?
Thanks/Bill

Hi Bill - Was that one finally THE hose?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by guarodc

Hi Bill - Was that one finally THE hose?

As I recall now, the radiator actually had a small drain cock down low on passenger side- did not remove any hose.

[Dekero]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Did coolant drain and refill...here's the BMW (blue) Lifetime fluid at 92K miles, hmm......

That looks like oil contamination...

Have you replaced your Oil Filter housing gasket?? If not at 92k miles it's def. Due... And only going to get worse... At this point you need to drain and refill with water and degreaser( 4-8oz ) run the bleed procedure and drain... Repeat till the water comes out clean... With a final rinse of only water... Then drain and refill with coolant... Only after you've replaced the OFHG..

Ask me how I know all that.... Yeah it was a mess when the OFHG finally blew out completely and the low oil pressure warning scared the shyt out of me...
Turns out oil pressure is higher than coolant pressure this why the oil enters the coolant and not the other way around...

[Dekero]

Originally Posted by 383vett

Wow, your waterpump still going after 92K?

Mine made it to 181k and was still going when I replaced it while the engine cradle was off the car, so it made it easy access from the bottom... No way I wasn't going to take advantage of that time to replace...

Same thing about the starter when I replaced the HPFP...

You want a great reliable BMW.... It's a labor of love and a shyt ton of maintenance... Wait for it to break and it will break you.