Coolant Flush

I'll keep this one simple. How often should I do a coolant flush?

Originally Posted by RipSnort535i

I'll keep this one simple. How often should I do a coolant flush?

IMHO anywhere between 35-50K's would not harm your car. Question, I ask is how to do you flush it ? I only drain my E60 M54 525i radiator, as I don't know where the engine coolant drain plug is. So are you referring to flushing or draining? And if draining, how do you drain the engine block. Can that be done by disconnecting the lower radiator hose?

I view coolant as more of a time sensitive, rather than mileage sensitive issue. While BMW says it now is a lifetime fill, I change it every 4 years.

5 years

Originally Posted by Mac Hadley

I view coolant as more of a time sensitive, rather than mileage sensitive issue. While BMW says it now is a lifetime fill, I change it every 2 years.

Very helpful. Thanks to all for the replies.
I am approaching 60k and need to look at some preventative maintenance.

Originally Posted by kskane

IMHO anywhere between 35-50K's would not harm your car. Question, I ask is how to do you flush it ? I only drain my E60 M54 525i radiator, as I don't know where the engine coolant drain plug is. So are you referring to flushing or draining? And if draining, how do you drain the engine block. Can that be done by disconnecting the lower radiator hose?

Could find the engine block drain plug so only changed the radiator fluid and whatever I could squeeze out of the hoses leading to the pump. Drained close to 7 liters although capacity is ~11 liters.

I will change it again in a few years.

Does anyone knows where the engine coolant drain plug is? I have the Bentley manual and all the pictures, but for the life of me I cannot see this plug. I have RHD E60 M54 2004 with auto trans. Any images or help to locate the engine drain plug is welcome.

For starter, it is on the Air Intake side of the engine or the other where the Valve cover is? Can it be reached from the top or only the bottom? I am drained the raditor and I think i need to change my aux pump this time, I would not mind changing the coolant at the same time, but this time I want to drain the engine at the same time. Please help!

Originally Posted by kskane

Does anyone knows where the engine coolant drain plug is? I have the Bentley manual and all the pictures, but for the life of me I cannot see this plug. I have RHD E60 M54 2004 with auto trans. Any images or help to locate the engine drain plug is welcome.

For starter, it is on the Air Intake side of the engine or the other where the Valve cover is? Can it be reached from the top or only the bottom? I am drained the raditor and I think i need to change my aux pump this time, I would not mind changing the coolant at the same time, but this time I want to drain the engine at the same time. Please help!

Hey Mate!

The engine block drain plug is on the right side of the engine (i.e., passenger side in U.S., drivers side in UK) near cylinder #2, with #1 being the front of engine.

Cheers

Left side on the N52, right under the intake:

http://m.5series.net/showthread.php?t=129229

Originally Posted by bimmerfan52

Hey Mate!

The engine block drain plug is on the right side of the engine (i.e., passenger side in U.S., drivers side in UK) near cylinder #2, with #1 being the front of engine.

Cheers

Thanks Mate, is it accesible from the top or only from below on the M54? Would I need to take the re-inforcement plate off?