10. New coolant reservoir: note the attachment points. I use a bit of grease on all connections to make things slide in easier. This reservoir setup is the most stupid engineering ever, it WILL drive you nuts!!!
Sensor: from above looking down, turn CCW to remove it.
#1-#2: reservoir and radiator attachments. Pry very very slowly to avoid damage to the radiator neck!
#3: heater hose connection
#4: is the most retarded engineering fiasco. The big hole is a “Blind End leading to nowhere”. The smaller hole is the heater hose. You have to be very very patient to deal with this setup. Pry very very gently where the connections x2 meet the reservoir. You don’t care about the reservoir (because you are replacing it) but you do NOT want to damage the base connection!
11. If you want to flush the engine block, pour some distilled water into the block using a long hose.
12. Now, button everything back:
- New Idler, Tensioner, AC Pulleys
- Main serpentine belt
- Zip tie the connector near thermostat housing
- Fan Clutch: antiseize and use “Poultry Cord” trick.
- Fan Shroud: re-use plastic rivets.
- Splash shield
BTW, the Intake Air Duct: I removed it and store it inside my garage. With this out of the car, it is easy to inspect, belts, pulleys, radiator hoses etc.
13. Now fill system with coolant. I want a 50-50 mix for northern climate, the system capacity for M54 engine is somewhere between 11L-12L range (if someone knows for sure what it is, please post). I put in 5.5L of concentrated Prestone coolant. The rest is distilled water. I will check the coolant strength after a few thousand miles.
- I filled through: Reservoir and Bleeder Screw (don’t over-tighten it, I use brass screw for a change).
- Make sure you don’t overfill the reservoir, stop when the floater hits the top cage of reservoir.
- Drive car around block for 15-30 min., not too far from home, turn on the heat etc.
- Bring car back home, let it cool down, then check coolant level.
- To check coolant strength, wait another month of a few thousand miles of driving to be sure coolant is mixed evenly, then check it before winter.
That is all boys and girls, Happy July 4!!!
---