[yxd0018]

Recently I did E36 cooling system overhaul. After a few days, there are some leaking. I retighten the hose clam connecting to the expansion tank, but not sure if there is a washer in the engine block drain plug. If the parts # is really 07119919228 then it seems there is a washer 07119963201 from diagram then I must have lost it. If so, can I use new engine oil plug washer instead? It seems I will have to make a mess again.

 

[hornhospital]

Yes. Any soft metal (brass or aluminum) washer of the right size will work. BMW called them "crush washers".

 

[yxd0018]

After removing the nut, I realize the washer is there and the oil pan washer is a bit small. So I enlarge the oil pan washer and installed 2 washer s. The result is more leaking . I use small variable wrench to tighten the nut. Help!
Can I reuse the coolant poured out of engine block?

 

[dc_wright]

After removing the nut, I realize the washer is there and the oil pan washer is a bit small. So I enlarge the oil pan washer and installed 2 washer s. The result is more leaking . I use small variable wrench to tighten the nut. Help!
Can I reuse the coolant poured out of engine block?

I've reused "fresh" coolant before without any issues. I poured it through a coffee filter first to remove any solids or debris before I reused it.

 

[yxd0018]

Thanks, any suggestions regarding leaking engine block plug? How much torque should I use?

 

[hornhospital]

Don't use two washers. One only, and 35 lb/ft torque.

 

[yxd0018]

Things get ugly and my car is overheating with a few min local drive. Both pipes connecting with thermostat housing are hot and expansion tank is hot so the new thermostat should be working. When I open the expansion tank, coolant rushed out. The electric fan before the radiator doesn't turn on. HELP!!!!!

Edit: I replaced all the pipe, expansion tank, thermostat, aluminum housing and coolant a few days ago before having the leak.

 

[yxd0018]

Some guy told me to buy pink super coolant from auto zone which doesn't have water so no corrosion and no overheating. Is there such a thing?

 

[yxd0018]

Also the electric fan didn't turn on when overheating. But it turns on when I turn the AC on. But even with the fan, the temp is still going up.

 

[hornhospital]

You didn't get the cooling system bled sufficiently. Trapped air in the system is preventing the coolant from circulating everywhere. Fill and bleed again.

 

[yxd0018]

Thank you very much. Any idea how to stop the leak at engine block drain plug? I have to remove the extra washer but don't know how to tighten it not to leak.

 

[hornhospital]

The washer has to be the right size. I have a feeling you have two things working against you. Two washers where there should be one, and at least one of the washers is one adapted from the oil pan plug. When you get the plug out, I'm afraid you'll find both washers are now distorted. They are made to be crushed between the block and the recess under the head of the plug. Stacking two of them gave them room enough to twist against each other. That's why you now have a leak. The crush washers are deliberately soft so they'll crush into the faces of the block and bolt, forming a seal.

 

[john kaminski]

If a new proper crush washer doesn't completely stop the leaking wrap teflon plumbing tape around the threads and make a few extra wraps under the head of the bolt. This worked for me when I had a bad crush washer for my oil drain plug and needed to drive before I could get a new washer. Not a drop of oil through the full change interval

 

[yxd0018]

That's exactly what jmiller70 suggested and worked out wonderfully. After parking for one day, not a single drop of coolant. Thanks guys. I guess in the next coolant flush, I need to replace the washer.