Coolant Dropping.

[Conehead]

Hey Guys,

A few days ago I had to get a new thermostat for my Bimmer. I took her to a guy that does only BMW's.

When they changed the thermostat, there was a loss of coolant. Now, the mechenic says he has bleed the system correctly, but Im not sure.

Each morning since the thermostat was changed, the coolant level in the expantion tank is a little lower. Its only drops a tiny bit, about 1 cm.

My question is, could there still be little air pockets in the cooling system, and each time the car is driven, a bit more of the air is expelled, and replaced by the coolant in the expantion tank.

I have checked for signs of a buggered head gasket and (touch wood) there is no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, and the exhaust dosent smell like coolant.

What do you guys think.

[Pirate_copy]

Sounds to me like a classic case of air in the system. If air is in there, then the coolant will boil and you will lose it. I would get it out ASAP buddy.

Look what happened to mine!!!

[Conehead]

Thanx Mate. I thought along these lines.

It was to suss to just start losing coolant straight after a new thermostat was put in, considering it didnt lose any before the work was done.

Thanx for the help.

[Pirate_copy]

Best way is to jack the front of the car up/put it on ramps and then bleed it :D

[jasonf860]

As long as there are no leaks around the T-stat housing, and none you can see, Then i'd go along with Pirate. Bleed the system and it should solve your worries.

[executechs1315]

To blead the coolant system on my 1995 325is I had to:

1. Open the Resivour Cap
2. Turn the car on
3. Turn on the heat full blast so the coolant will circulate in the heater core.
(Make sure coolant is circulating) you can also rev the engine up a little to get the job done quicker.

You will see bubles of air come out of the coolant holding tank, as in goes down install small amounts of coolant fluid but don't let it get empty. keep in mind the fan is turning so use a funel

Let run for about a half an hour. This is the proper way to bleed air from the cooling system. I'm 99.9***37; sure.

Good Luck N-

[Pirate_copy]

Make sure you open the bleed screw too!!!!

[Conehead]

Hey Guys

Well....After looking at the engine bay (with more than a mild hangover), I descided not to tamper with the cooling system, and yesterday (Sat) took the Bimmer back to the guys who did the thermostat.

They looked at it for me and said that there have been a few prob with the 316 thats been fitted with the M44 engine. Something to do with the plumbing for the heater core having to be put a bit higher under the dash or something (it was like thinking with a hangover...it sounded like they were saying BLAH...BLAH...BLAH....).

Anyway, they bled the system again, and some more air came out, then the boss (who is alledgedly a BMW guru) said take it for a good drive of at least 50km's with the heater turned on, and it will be fixed.

I was a bit sceptical, (as the workshop would have shut buy the time I got back) but WULLA, it worked.

So now all appears to be good.

Thanx for the help guys.

XXXX

[AusBmw]

Hey Guys

Well....After looking at the engine bay (with more than a mild hangover), I descided not to tamper with the cooling system, and yesterday (Sat) took the Bimmer back to the guys who did the thermostat.

They looked at it for me and said that there have been a few prob with the 316 thats been fitted with the M44 engine. Something to do with the plumbing for the heater core having to be put a bit higher under the dash or something (it was like thinking with a hangover...it sounded like they were saying BLAH...BLAH...BLAH....).

Anyway, they bled the system again, and some more air came out, then the boss (who is alledgedly a BMW guru) said take it for a good drive of at least 50km's with the heater turned on, and it will be fixed.

I was a bit sceptical, (as the workshop would have shut buy the time I got back) but WULLA, it worked.

So now all appears to be good.

Thanx for the help guys.

XXXX


This is why i payed bmw australia over 700 bucks to do my e39 cooling system over haul.

Bmw's have buy far an large been problematic with there cooling system over the years.

Any who cone mate sounds like it's all good now.

[Pirate_copy]

Glad it is all sorted mate.

BMW cooling systems are not my favourite thing in the world right now anyway hehehehe