Replace X3 coolant

[robert993]

I own a '04 X3 with the 3.0 engine and manual transmission. Bought it new 5 years ago, now has 66,000 miles. It has been very reliable so far. I am now doing the maintenance on the car, and am considering replacing the coolant. I am a little skeptical of the statement in the owner's manual that the coolant is permanent. Anyone know of a diy instruction on this procedure?

[Weasel]

There is the a blue plastic drain plug on the bottom of the radiator, and a 13mm bolt on the passengers side of the radiator to drain the block.

After fully drained and plug/bolt back in, remove the radiatir cap and black plastic bleeder screw from the expansion tank and fill her to the top with 50/50 mix of BMW coolant. (the blue stuff) Once filled to top where coolant is coming out of both the opening and the bleeder screw hole put the bleeder back in and start her up. If the coolant isn't streaming across the opening try backing the bleeder out a turn or so seeing if coolant comes out, then tighten again. Then hold the throttle (or have someone do for you) at about 2000 rpms and the stream across the cap opening should be solid. If so put the cap back on tight and you are done!

[robert993]

Thanks. Just what I needed.

[vinuneuro]

Interesting that it says that in the manual since dealers will replace it under BMW Maintenance every 4yrs.

[pimpsled]

I'm not drinking the life-time coolant fluid. Just did a quick coolant flush and the old stuff looked very light blue vs. the new 50/50 coolant to distilled watr ratio.

Radiator drain plug is on driver's side. Turn blue plug CCW until removed. Then put a 7/8 socket on the plastic nut which only turns 90 degrees CCW. Went to top of radiator and unscrewed cap which released the coolant at the bottom of the drain plug area. 3/4 of a gallon was released. Filled and bled system. Will repeat in a couple of days emptying the entire system.