Radiator Help

[Charles.Wong42]

So in my super hectic life I tried to carve out a few minutes to do something somewhat relaxing, like topping off the fluids in my 2003 X5. However I learned a good lesson, never half-ass anything on your car... I checked the dipstick then proceeded to pour oil into the tank for the coolant ( Yes I know...) without thoroughly thinking through my actions.

Now to get to the question. I know I have to flush my radiator but could someone give me instructions on how to bleed the tank. I know on the newer X5 models there is an electronic pump, but i don't believe there is on pre-2006. Any help on draining the tank would be most appreciated, i am under the impression from the person helping me (who is far more skilled) that this is not the most complicated procedure, however i just want to gather as much information as i can.

Thank you all,
-Charles Wong

[PUREVIL]

Did you run the car with oil in the coolant?
If not, you may be able to use a fluid vac to suck the oil out of the tank.

Oil floats on coolant and will remain on the top of the surge tank. All but the oily residue should come out without too much fuss.

If you did run the car and the oil has cycled through the entire system, there are flush products available for this sort of thing. Usually they are intended for oil cooler failures and such but I guess oil in the cooling system is the same, no matter how it got there...

[Charles.Wong42]

I did start the car to see if i got some sort of alert. however there was still a goo amount of coolant in the car is it possible that since the oil is obviously oil and the coolant is water based the oil could have stayed on top and not cycled into the engine due to the polarity of the fluids? anyhow i think i may just flush it regardless. would you be able to instruct me in the procedure. ie how to bleed the reservoir and what kind of fluids i should put in to flush it out

[Bulk]

I'd flush it, replace the coolant, run it for a week, then flush it and replace the coolant a second time.

You might say it sounds like over kill but hey you've got oil in your coolant system so.......

My 10c

[Charles.Wong42]

I completely agree its worth playing it safe and just flushing the tank. Could someone tell me how please? How to empt the tank, how what of process it will be, what types of flushing fluid i will need.

[ECS Tuning]

Charles what model X5 do you have?

As for flushing fluid, if you are somewhere that it freezes stick to BMW Coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water. If you're in a warmer climate consider yourself lucky and flush with distilled water the 1st time then on the final fill use a 50/50 mixture of BMW Coolant. I have the BMW coolant available HERE.



James with ECS

[Charles.Wong42]

The X5 is from 2003 I believe the standard 3.0L v6.

[Charles.Wong42]

Is draining the tank a matter of removing a plug underneath the reservoir?

[Koody]

if the plug is the lowest point on the reservoir... or just take the tank out of the car and turn it upside down?

[Charles.Wong42]

Has anyone done the procedure before?