Can anyone point me to a water valve DIY replacement ?

[edco]

Well, no sooner do I get the trans filter replaced, my AC is not putting out much cold air. So I connect my Carly unit and I get a water valve error. When I dropped my ‘11 X5 3.5 Turbo off to do the trans filter and fluid replacement, I asked my indy to check and he confirmed the same failure.

I just ordered the OE Part and a gallon of coolant. I was watching a video on YouTube but as usual when the part in question is hard to see, it’s nearly impossible to see what the person is doing.

It appears that the job consists of removing 3 hoses, an electrical connector and removing the part that sits in 2 rubber grommets. I’ve just read a set of instructions on an E38 on Bimmerfest.

If there’s a video, great! If there’s a step by step, equally great. I’ve read one where the author recommends replacing the hoses and clamps starting at the firewall since over 9 years he thought the hoses would be brittle and break anyway and so I might as well plan to just change them.

Advice appreciate....

Ard, you out there?

Thanks in advance
Ed in its not too hot today NJ

[ard]

lol. yeah, but i've never done it.



GL!

[crystalworks]

Sorry, not going to be any help on the E70 chassis. Only done it on E36 and E46. But it's a fairly similar process (and in many cases the same part number) on every chassis with the differences between each being the ease of access to the heater control valve itself. And the 3 hoses that leave it. Your synopsis of the job is spot on. Good luck.

[absentmathis]

I did this past winter on my 48i. Was pretty easy as I recall. I think the location is a little lower on the 35i but same general location on right side of engine (facing it). I replaced the front side hose last year during a water pump project, the back side were old but seemed pretty fresh so I left them. If you can spot the part under the hood you can do this without a step by step.

[edco]

I appreciate the reply. Sincerely. However, I'm realy looking for advice. I'm glad yours worked out but what I want to know is
What did you do first? (which parts removed? hoses? which one first?
What did you do next? (other than the hoses, it appears it just sits in the two rubber jackets. What did you use to pry it out?
Did you clamp the hoses using a tool that looks a bit like a vice-grip?
How did you remove any air that may have got into the system?

That's what I am looking for. And if we have two different engines, from what I have been able to find, the procedure is significantly different, even which hoses to remove...

I wouldn't call it a step by step, but more of what to avoid..

Thank you

Ed Another 3 AM note from me in nj

[Hedman]

Actually did this just last night (on my 2011 X5 35i)...

Originally Posted by edco

What did you do first? (which parts removed? hoses? which one first?

1. Unbolted the expansion tank first so it could be pushed out of the way for a tiny bit more room (probably not necessary though).
2. Disconnected the wire to the valve.
3. Pulled the valve out of the brackets. There are the 2 on either end, plus one in the back. No tools necessary...just pulls out by hand.
4. Disconnected the 2 hoses on the front side of the car, then the one on the back.
5. Dropped a hose clamp down in the depths and spent 30 minutes finding it and fishing it out.
6. Everything in reverse to put it all back together.
7. Bleed and fill (see below)

Originally Posted by edco

Did you clamp the hoses using a tool that looks a bit like a vice-grip?

I clamped one of them with a C-Clamp, but it didn't work well and I lost probably 3/4 of a gallon of coolant. The top 2 hoses didn't have much (they feed into the exchanger), but the bottom is the input line so has a lot. In hindsight, I'd probably disconnect the top 2 first, then the bottom one to minimize the loss.

You will lose some coolant either way, so make sure to have some on hand before you start.

Originally Posted by edco

How did you remove any air that may have got into the system?

There's an automatic bleed process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzk9yvFXsBI

I ran the bleed and fill process twice, then drove it a bit, waited for it to cool, and topped it off again.

The whole process took about 2 hours (not including cleaning up all the spilled coolant).

[edco]

Dear Hedman,
Thank You!
Ed Market Crash Again in NJ

[TCRIX5]

For the furture: www.newtis.info, enter the last 7 of your vin and you should find the procedure for just about anything you need to do.

[edco]

Originally Posted by TCRIX5

For the furture: www.newtis.info, enter the last 7 of your vin and you should find the procedure for just about anything you need to do.

Hey thanks.. That's a heck of a link.

[ard]

We use newtis so often, it is easy to forget not everyone knows about it!


Good luck