Engine Block Coolant Drain Plug (3.0 Engine)
 

Is it me, or is it a true PITA to remove? Any advice on an easier way to remove it? I had to remove all the splash shields and use all sorts of extensions just to get to it.

Dan

I use my 3 foot long extension with a 13mm swivel socket to go right up in there (on a lift mind you) but that coolant goes EVERYWHERE! I end up with numerous drain pans under the vehicle to try to catch it all!

At least you had a lift. :stickpoke :p:

I ended up using jackstands to raise the vehicle.

On a side note, I'm replacing the water pump as a preventative measure. I did notice a tiny bit of play on the old one (has 67k miles on it). So, for those who are around the 60k(ish) mark, I highly recommend replacing your water pump. ;)

Yep, all bearings wear in time... and the 3.0i waterpump is so simple to replace too.

Another question.....I thought all BMW coolant is blue. When I drained the coolant system, green (pea green, not Prestone neon green) coolant was pouing out. Is that the "lifetime" coolant color? Also, that stuff was pretty dirty....

Dan

The BMW coolant IS blue, if it had green in there it has probably either been changed previously with non BMW, refilled after part replacement with non BMW, or someone had been topping off with green.

The blue coolant is specially designed to fight corrosion in bi-metal engines and does not brake down over time as the standard coolants do. I use it in every vehicle we have at my house!

What play are you referring to? You mean some bolts are loose? Can you check it without taking things apart?

When I took the aux fan off the water pump, I wiggled the pulley a little. It had a little bit of play to it.

Daniel

By the way, thats not the aux fan... thats the main engine fan. The aux fan is the electric one in front of the condensor.

And an easy way to check for bearing slack/play is to wiggle the top of the fan blades front/back as the fan is directly mounted to the front of waterpump.

Thanks for the clarification...:stickpoke :p: :D

Anyway, what a night. Started to put everything back together and ended up breaking the radiator drain plug. Of course, the dealer is the only place that carries this part. So, I had to sit in traffic for almost an hour and a half just to go and get the part. Then, I button everything back together and the battery is dead! I guess I let the heater run a little too long while draining/filling the cooling system :rolleyes: .