Coolant flash and bleeding the system DIY for 2001 BMW x5 4.4l (usa model)
This guide is the way I did it on my x5.
So here you go:
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Coolant flash:
-take the cap from expansion tank off
-also take the bleeding cap off,too (same place)
-then,under the radiator in the right side down at the bottom (siting in front of your x5)
Un thigh the screw so all the antifreeze to come out.
-now after all is done under the radiator,turn screw back tight ,just temporary,because you have to go
Under the suv (your x5),and under passed the axell and look on the passenger side up by the starter
(right side of the starter) the coolant block drain plug. (I belive it was 13mm),
Try to un thigh little bit then
-Move to driver side ,and fill with your hand by the starter the block drain plug ,
And un thigh it out all the way,make sure
You have something under so the antifreeze to spill in it.
(if you don't move all antifreeze will come into your face!!!!)
-when this is done put the screw back in,you may have to replace the washer!,and then clean up any spill,
And move back to the front un thigh the radiator bottom plug for any antifreeze left,
After done thigh it back all the way.
-now you ready to put your antifreeze back in!
-in my case it took almost 3 gal. -1.5 BMW antifreeze and 1.5 regular water
(!!! and for the block drain plug,i think that there is one on the driver side maybe also,
but there is now way to get to that one,so i just left it allone.)
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Bleeding the system:
Now comes the tricky part:
I have follow this guide and it worked for me:
(credits to the author):::
-add antifreeze and water all the way to full,
-wait for a minute or two as the level will go down......,
-add some more and some more,in till is not going any more in!
-then put the key in,
-position II,
-but do not start the motor.
-set fan to low, heat to 90.
-this turns on the small pump that re circulates coolant inside the expansion tank and
Hopefully dislodges any air still stuck in there.
-when you don't see any more air bubbles from the bleed hole,
Put the screw back in and the cap.
And you good to go...
But monitor your coolant gauge at dash just in case the temp will rise up.,you don't want
To overheat the engine!!!.
If everything goes okay,I let mine run for about 30 minutes,and then I stopped and let it cool down over night
And the sec day I have checked the level and I have added just a little.and that's all.
Everything working fine...
Watch your gauge for few days,to make sure ...you got it right...
( all this info is how I did it,so please consult in this forum,or your dealer for proper way to do it,
Because if you don't do it right ,you can be in deep problem,if you overheat your engine!!!)
Thank you.
Bosanci28