Need Help! Cooling system flush question

So I have a 2002 330i and the yellow low coolant light went on a few days ago. the Car has 84K on it and am planning in the verrry near future for the cooling system overhaul. That being said here is the issue:

I wanted to flush the system since it is getting cold here in the NE and I would feel more comfortable with new fluid for now. The screw was removed and the system was draining. It seemed to empty and the Level indicator under the cap went down so, we flushed the rest of the coolant out with a bit of water with the screw still open. After 15 mins or so there was no more draining. But now the indicator is still showing a full level tank. It is appearantly Not draining fully. So I put a bit of new coolant in and it only took about 20mL or so of coolant. So now it is not filling up so I am sure that there is still old coolant and the flush still in there. How can I get this thing to drain all the way so I can put the new coolant in!?!

Reggie best thing to do is to have some 1 check that for u..good luck

Originally Posted by ReggieJS

So I have a 2002 330i and the yellow low coolant light went on a few days ago. the Car has 84K on it and am planning in the verrry near future for the cooling system overhaul. That being said here is the issue:

I wanted to flush the system since it is getting cold here in the NE and I would feel more comfortable with new fluid for now. The screw was removed and the system was draining. It seemed to empty and the Level indicator under the cap went down so, we flushed the rest of the coolant out with a bit of water with the screw still open. After 15 mins or so there was no more draining. But now the indicator is still showing a full level tank. It is appearantly Not draining fully. So I put a bit of new coolant in and it only took about 20mL or so of coolant. So now it is not filling up so I am sure that there is still old coolant and the flush still in there. How can I get this thing to drain all the way so I can put the new coolant in!?!

Did you also drain the coolant from the block? It holds more coolants than the radiator and tank combined.

Which screw are you referring to?
There is a drain on the radiator and on the block, and sometimes the ET.

You need to remove both blue drain plugs and lift the front of the car slightly. To properly flush open the bleeder screw next to the filler cap. Insert your hose into the filler cap and turn the car on as you pump in water, this lets the water pump circulate and flush all old fluids. Then remove hose and run 2 gallons of distilled water through the system if you care about distilled vs tap. Turn the the car off replace both drain plugs. Then fill with 50/50 mix or mix your own coolant. I usually mix my own with more like a 40% coolant 60% water with a half bottle of water wetter as things do get much below freezing here in mo. As you are filling leave the bleed screw loosened and turn the car back on. Keep adding slowly until you are full. Then replace the filler cap and tighten down the bleed screw aand wait for the car to warm up. Then loosen the bleed screw and you will see air spitting out with fluid. Repeat tightening and untightening until you get a steady stream of fluid coming out of the bleed screw. Turn the car off check coolant level top off if needed. Your done.

Sent from my PantechP9060 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by TannerT

You need to remove both blue drain plugs and lift the front of the car slightly. To properly flush open the bleeder screw next to the filler cap. Insert your hose into the filler cap and turn the car on as you pump in water, this lets the water pump circulate and flush all old fluids. Then remove hose and run 2 gallons of distilled water through the system if you care about distilled vs tap. Turn the the car off replace both drain plugs. Then fill with 50/50 mix or mix your own coolant. I usually mix my own with more like a 40% coolant 60% water with a half bottle of water wetter as things do get much below freezing here in mo. As you are filling leave the bleed screw loosened and turn the car back on. Keep adding slowly until you are full. Then replace the filler cap and tighten down the bleed screw aand wait for the car to warm up. Then loosen the bleed screw and you will see air spitting out with fluid. Repeat tightening and untightening until you get a steady stream of fluid coming out of the bleed screw. Turn the car off check coolant level top off if needed. Your done.

Sent from my PantechP9060 using Bimmer App

If you do a flush this way, it only flushes the radiator and not the entire cooling system.

Hey Thanks Guys. the Screw for the Block was the key. New coolant in car and temps were in the high 20s last night. car started perfectly and all seems well. If there is an issue I know now where all three screws are. Uber helpful. This is my first Bimmer so I am learning. Thanks for not flaming me!