I chaged the Thermostat & Water Pump, Question about coolant. 3.0I engine

[mlcoleman80]

if you only drained the radiator to releive the pressure...the remaining coolant is in the engine block.....i drained the engine block too when i did the thermostate/waterpump....engine drain plug is on passenger side behind the manifold.....best way to get to it is use a 3ft extension and swivel socket...just to let ya know it's a b*tch to get to..but rewarding when you know you have completely drained ur old coolant. i rain a garden hose through the radiator to flush out..then filled with bmw coolant and DISTILLED WATER.

[X5Flyboy]

just a suggestion - there is a great aftermarket water pump for the 3.0 liter engine made by Stewart that has stainless steel vanes vs plastic in the BMW pump - unfortunately, they don't make one for the V8s

[yenanx5]

Would you post how to change thermostat w/ pics. I need to change thermostat on my 2001 x5.

[SLX5]

I don't have any pics but the two links below should give you everything you need.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-pictures.html

Pelican Technical Article: BMW Water Pump Replacement

Pelican Technical Article: BMW Thermostat Replacement

There was an excellent write up in here, but the pics are missing. Hope this helps. If you are replacing the thermostat, I would also replace the water pump, and the relevant hoses. If not you will be doing this all over again

[yenanx5]

Thank you guy

[yenanx5]

Originally Posted by SLX5

Hi, Yesterday I changed the Thermostat and Water pump in my 2002 X5 3.0. The post by Bimmer 360 was very helpful. If anyone has any questions on doing this on a 3.0 please feel free to drop me a line and I will try to help.

I however do have a question on filling with coolant. I set the temp control to high and fan setting to low and started filling the coolant with the bleeder valve open(engine off). Right after one gallon of coolant it started spewing out. After this I drove the car for 10mile or so and the temp was fine. Tried to fill once the car cooled, but the same thing. When I drained the radiator and took the thermostat and water pump I was pretty sure I lost about 2Gallons of coolant.

I am worried about trapped air, any other way of getting more coolant in and getting the air out. I did search the forum and didn't find anything.

Was your "service engine soon" light on before you change thermostat. Do you know how to clear the light "sevice engine soon"?

[yenanx5]

Originally Posted by SLX5

Hi, Yesterday I changed the Thermostat and Water pump in my 2002 X5 3.0. The post by Bimmer 360 was very helpful. If anyone has any questions on doing this on a 3.0 please feel free to drop me a line and I will try to help.

I however do have a question on filling with coolant. I set the temp control to high and fan setting to low and started filling the coolant with the bleeder valve open(engine off). Right after one gallon of coolant it started spewing out. After this I drove the car for 10mile or so and the temp was fine. Tried to fill once the car cooled, but the same thing. When I drained the radiator and took the thermostat and water pump I was pretty sure I lost about 2Gallons of coolant.

I am worried about trapped air, any other way of getting more coolant in and getting the air out. I did search the forum and didn't find anything.

How did you remove the fan?
Thank you

[SLX5]

You will either need the BMW special tool or some other tools. I went to harbor freight and they have a long set of crew drivers (about 3ft), I used one of them to lodge the nut so it wouldn't move, and turned the fan clock wise to remove it. Another way to go about it to get a big as wrench 32mm, but be careful about the thickness of it, you may not be able to get it to get in there on the bolt. In my opinion a long strong srew driver to prop again somewhere on the engine and put enough pressure on the bolt to lock it in place, then turn the fan.

[yenanx5]

Originally Posted by SLX5

You will either need the BMW special tool or some other tools. I went to harbor freight and they have a long set of crew drivers (about 3ft), I used one of them to lodge the nut so it wouldn't move, and turned the fan clock wise to remove it. Another way to go about it to get a big as wrench 32mm, but be careful about the thickness of it, you may not be able to get it to get in there on the bolt. In my opinion a long strong srew driver to prop again somewhere on the engine and put enough pressure on the bolt to lock it in place, then turn the fan.

Thank you SLX5

How about the 4 lillte nut look like 10mm? Can I use the 32mm to lodge, and than remove the 10mm nut instead turning the fan (becausse the fan is plastic I am worrying it might dammage the fan)

[SLX5]

Don't remove the 10mm nuts. That hold the plastic blades onto the shaft. Removing the 32mm bolt is not that hard ones you get it logged well.