Dumb coolant question

[Sharktooni]

Ok so I was thinking about doing a coolant flush tonight, I have the 2 gallons of the blue bmw coolant but I have realized my car has no expansion tank. I bought it only a year ago so haven’t done it yet and was wondering what the proper procedure for filling the coolant is since if you over pour the coolant will expand and break a hose or something of the like. Any tips/tricks for a radiator without an overflow tank? Tia!

['76mintgrün'02]

4 minutes ago, Sharktooni said:

Any tips/tricks for a radiator without an overflow tank?

 

Before pulling the block's drain plug (under the exhaust manifold), you might want to hang a shower curtain under the car;  funneling the coolant into a container.

 

mmm  Gatorade.

[Sharktooni]

3 minutes ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

 

Before pulling the block's drain plug (under the exhaust manifold), you might want to hang a shower curtain under the car;  funneling the coolant into a container.

 

mmm  Gatorade.

Ok, that’s very useful to know, thank you! And as for filling it, how far from the top do I fill? Best way to burp the system without an overflow? Thanks!

['76mintgrün'02]

I typed [ burp ] into the search bar and got 329 hits.

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/search/?q=burp&quick=1 

[Sharktooni]

8 minutes ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

I typed [ burp ] into the search bar and got 329 hits.

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/search/?q=burp&quick=1 

I was really dumb, there’s a hose that goes from right below the cap that lets out any excess coolant once it’s up to temp, I hadn’t even seen it, I know how to burp the system just didn’t see that hose, thank you though!

['76mintgrün'02]

You're welcome.

 

Don't be so hard on yourself.   

[Mike Self]

While you have the system drained, take the drain bolt you removed from the block down to your local hardware or auto parts store and find yourself a brass drain cock with an attached nipple.  Years ago i found one that fit perfectly--put a little teflon tape on the thread and screwed it right in.  The next time you drain the system you won't have to use the shower curtain trick; just connect a small hose to the drain cock's nipple and run it into a shallow pan. 

 

Adding a drain cock to the radiator is a little more complicated if you want to use the original 8x1 threads, but is doable.  PM me if you'd like the column.

 

mike

[Buckeye]

This article with pictures explains it all

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_2002/08-WATER-Coolant_Flush_and_Replacement/08-WATER-Coolant_Flush_and_Replacement.htm

[TobyB]

For those who don't know, it's very possible to explode a newer BMW's 

coolant system by simply filling the reservoir.

 

"But there's a float!"

 

which fails.

 

It's also quite easy to cook the engine by filling the cooling

system and starting the engine.  That's all you have to do.

Because there's a convoluted bleed procedure that actually

fills the engine...

 

Fortunately, the 2002 isn't that picky.

 

t