Dumb Question About Bleeding Coolant in 3.0i

[BimmerM3inGA]

FWIW: I have done numerous cooling system overhauls on BMWs. Probably around 20, including the 3.0 M54 in my wife's E85 Z4.

What has me stumped is the electric water pump in the E53 3.0. This is my usual procedure for bleeding coolant:

1. Engine off
2. Set heat controls to max heat
3. Loosen bleed screw
4. Remove expansion tank cap
5. Slowly pour in coolant until it comes out of the bleeder
6. Start the engine with the heater still on full heat
7. Watch the bleeder until a steady stream of coolant comes out with no air bubbles while keeping the expansion tank topped off
8. This usually takes 10-15 minutes, then shut off engine, tighten bleeder and install expansion tank cap
9. Let the car sit overnight, then loosen the bleeder to "burp" the system
10. Remove expansion tank cap and top off if necessary
11. Then I usually check the level after a couple of days - just to make sure it's good.

What's got me confused is that as soon as I turn on the key, the electric pump starts and sprays coolant out of the expansion tank and the bleeder. So it's impossible to keep it topped off or even tell if air is coming out.

Is there a trick to doing this? Can I unplug the electric pump while I'm bleeding the system? Or, is there a way to run the engine without the electric pump being activated?

[THE VEIN]

When I did mine I had someone rev the engine while I had the tank cap on and bleeder screw opened until I saw a steady stream

[Gregory891]

Your procedure is mostly correct BUT you don't start the engine (#6 on your list), you simply switch the ignition to on, so that the electric pump for the heater will function.

When you have achieved condition in #7, THEN you start the car and warm it up and (continue to run the heater). #8 may not be fully needed, a short drive with a cool down would be enough.

[BimmerM3inGA]

Good tip. I will try that!

[x5homework]

by chance, can you tell me what this is?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by x5homework

by chance, can you tell me what this is?

Pretty nails, but oh she's taken.

[ArmyX5]

Originally Posted by x5homework

by chance, can you tell me what this is?

That my friend is part of the fan shroud. I had the same thing happen to my X5 after taking it to the dealer. Some how they failed to install the fan shroud correctly and was touching the AC Compressor. After a while the AC compressor made a hole in the shroud and you get what you have in your hand.

X5homework,

Check your fan shroud and make sure that it is not touching the AC compressor. Just looking at your picture, it looks like it is.

[x5homework]

@armyx5 thanks for the input. do you have any info about what a fan shroud is, what it's for, what happens if it isn't working, how to fix it, etc.? i'll also watch and see if our experts take any swings. and i might look for data online as well. did you see the pic of the metal piece it came from? did your piece look all melted/silicony? i still a weird plastic piece in the middle of some metal is strange. it didn't come from behind the metal, it just "fell off" from outside of it.

[ArmyX5]

Originally Posted by x5homework

@armyx5 thanks for the input. do you have any info about what a fan shroud is, what it's for, what happens if it isn't working, how to fix it, etc.? i'll also watch and see if our experts take any swings. and i might look for data online as well. did you see the pic of the metal piece it came from? did your piece look all melted/silicony? i still a weird plastic piece in the middle of some metal is strange. it didn't come from behind the metal, it just "fell off" from outside of it.

X5homework,

The Fan shroud is the plastic piece protecting the fan (or protecting your fingers from the fan, ), see the first picture. Nothing happen if it has a hole like your does now. There is nothing to worry about that piece as long as it is not touching the AC compressor, see picture two. Yes, mine looked like your, melted silicone because the AC compressor was rotating against the shroud and melted it until it finally went all the way thru. Your coolant leak has nothing to do with that plastic peace. I hope that help.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by x5homework

@armyx5 thanks for the input. do you have any info about what a fan shroud is, what it's for, what happens if it isn't working, how to fix it, etc.? i'll also watch and see if our experts take any swings. and i might look for data online as well. did you see the pic of the metal piece it came from? did your piece look all melted/silicony? i still a weird plastic piece in the middle of some metal is strange. it didn't come from behind the metal, it just "fell off" from outside of it.

The fan shroud is used to direct the air through the condenser and radiator. That missing piece will have no affect on the air flow.

Here's a picture of a brand new fan shroud.



You can get them on eBay for about 60 bucks plus shipping. You will need to remove the mechanical fan and a couple of "Plastic Rivets" in order to remove it and replace it.