Cooling System Maintenance v8

[Hack213]

100k on the dash, on my 2008 x5 4.8 ,

I will be doing VSS in the future but would like to do the cooling system maintenance first , besides the dreaded valley cooling pipe what else is recommended any part # would be appreciated I've already done the water pump and radiator with new coolant ,I did notice my valley pan cover is leaking very little coolant but nothing noticible over night thanks everyone

[absentmathis]

You could do every hose. Part numbers are on realOEM.

[Hack213]

Originally Posted by absentmathis

You could do every hose. Part numbers are on realOEM.

Thank you for the response ! Ill check it out any certain clamps to look out for?

[Toothbrush]

Originally Posted by Hack213

Thank you for the response ! Ill check it out any certain clamps to look out for?

Many (all?) of the clamps will be one time use from the factory, so be aware you'll need new ones.

[absentmathis]

Originally Posted by Toothbrush

Many (all?) of the clamps will be one time use from the factory, so be aware you'll need new ones.

Not sure about other models, but most if not all of the fittings on my car are the quick connect with the little metal catch. Those fittings come preclamped onto the hoses as far as I’ve ever seen, so you don’t need clamps at all. But there may be some hoses I haven’t changed yet that need clamps.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by absentmathis

Not sure about other models, but most if not all of the fittings on my car are the quick connect with the little metal catch. Those fittings come preclamped onto the hoses as far as I’ve ever seen, so you don’t need clamps at all. But there may be some hoses I haven’t changed yet that need clamps.

This is the Truth

[Toothbrush]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

This is the Truth

You're right. I was just thinking of the small vent pipe coolant hose under the intake that does use clamps. I didn't bother to think about it further.

17127536236 small vent pipe

[Entropy]

Here's what I would do while you're in there (and exactly what I did):



Water pump (recommend HEPU)
Thermostat
BimmerFix stent kit (very important)
Hoses
Coolant
Overflow tank
Belts (AC and serpentine)
Idler pulley and both tensioners


Also be prepared to do the oil thermostat gasket. Might as well do it while you have the belts off and radiator removed.

[Hack213]

Originally Posted by Entropy

Here's what I would do while you're in there (and exactly what I did):



Water pump (recommend HEPU)
Thermostat
BimmerFix stent kit (very important)
Hoses
Coolant
Overflow tank
Belts (AC and serpentine)
Idler pulley and both tensioners


Also be prepared to do the oil thermostat gasket. Might as well do it while you have the belts off and radiator removed.

Thank you so much I'm gonna start getting these parts ! Also on the valley coolant pipe should I do it right away? ;( tough to ask I know!!

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by Hack213

Thank you so much I'm gonna start getting these parts ! Also on the valley coolant pipe should I do it right away? ;( tough to ask I know!!

With the BimmerFix stent kit, you don’t have to replace the coolant pipe that runs under the valley pan. You install the stent from the front where the water pump attaches. It essentially creates an additional seal that bridges where the coolant pipe attaches to the engine block on the front. It is always the front seal that leaks, and that’s what the BimmerFix stent kit repairs or prevents (if it hasn’t started leaking yet). There is a lot of info online, just search around. I did not use the bottle of leak-stop that comes with the kit.

I’ve been running the stent kit for 2 years and 30k miles. No issues, no leaks.