128i Coolant capacity

[minirips2]

I can't for the life of me find the coolant capacity specifically for the 128i. I've got an E90 manual from Bentley coming, but I'm planning to do the coolant flush, and want to make sure I have enough coolant and distilled water on hand. does anyone have the proper spec? This is the first car I can recall that didn't have such basic information in the back of the owner's manual.

[bmw1racer]

Like you, I didn't know the exact number, so I bought two gallons of BMW coolant and two gallons of distilled water. Turned out that I only needed one of each... Actually, I still have quite a bit left over from the 50/50 mix.

The shelf life of the unopened coolant has something like a five year shelf life, so that's not a problem and I'll be more than covered for the next coolant change.

[juld0zer]

You'll never refill anywhere near the actual capacity of the cooling system anyway. Heaps gets trapped in the heater core, hoses which have many bends/elbows, thermostatically controlled heat exchangers like the ATF cooler if yours is an AT model.

Using a vacuum refill system i can usually get 6-7L into a 6cyl engine.

[minirips2]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

You'll never refill anywhere near the actual capacity of the cooling system anyway. Heaps gets trapped in the heater core, hoses which have many bends/elbows, thermostatically controlled heat exchangers like the ATF cooler if yours is an AT model.

Using a vacuum refill system i can usually get 6-7L into a 6cyl engine.

Thanks. I'll be using a vacuum filler. I have a gallon of the BMW coolant, and maybe a quart left over from servicing my MINI. That ought to do it. I just wanted to know if I should run out and bend over for another gallon of coolant. I'm curious to see what kind of coolant is in there, since I just bought mine used. I have a suspicion that it's green.....

[juld0zer]

Should be blue

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

You'll never refill anywhere near the actual capacity of the cooling system anyway. Heaps gets trapped in the heater core, hoses which have many bends/elbows, thermostatically controlled heat exchangers like the ATF cooler if yours is an AT model.

Using a vacuum refill system i can usually get 6-7L into a 6cyl engine.

right on, capacity is about 6-7L

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Should be blue

many BMW's have clear coloured coolant

[juld0zer]

That's odd. Surely not the factory fill? All N52, N54 and N55 i have seen have blue coolant. The concentrate from BMW is also blue. We occasionally see green where the customer has topped up or taken it to an unaware workshop

[desertman123]

I had gold coolant when I did my OFHG lol. Bought blue BMW coolant and a gal of distilled water and it was great for a drain/fill.

[$iriu$black]

I looked high and low for a DIY video for changing coolant for the N51/52, could anyone direct me to one. I saw this video:

and also the one by BAV auto and although they were informative, they're not for the N51/52. I'm just the kind of person who would learn better if I saw someone do it and then I'd follow them. I know that most coolant changes are the same but was wondering if there a really specific one out there.

Reason for this: planning to do this FOR THE FIRST TIME. Kind of a self-taught DIYer here, my apologies in advance if this sounds elementary, but I just don't want to mess it up.

Thank you for any help/advice.

[bmw1racer]

I've got an N52 and I used the OP's procedure... Worked perfectly.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=995387

[desertman123]

I used that one too. On a 128i it's just a matter of getting it up in the air, removing the belly pan and the little pan right under the rad, then open the overflow cap and put a pan under the radiator drain plug, and let it drain. Barely have to remove anything.

Also I put a towel around my mouth and blew into the overflow tank which got some more out. I also tried it with my air compressor set to like 10lbs, but making a seal was more difficult.

Ended up filling like 1.75ish gal.

If you're gonna be draining your coolant it might be worth it to do your OFHG at the same time since that requires a coolant change.

Also be aware of the bleeding procedure!!!

If it makes you feel better I did all this in my parents garage with tools I bought from Amazon and guides I read here.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I used that one too. On a 128i it's just a matter of getting it up in the air, removing the belly pan and the little pan right under the rad, then open the overflow cap and put a pan under the radiator drain plug, and let it drain.

I put the car up on ramps to get the plastic pan off, then took it off the ramps when draining the radiator.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I used that one too. On a 128i it's just a matter of getting it up in the air, removing the belly pan and the little pan right under the rad, then open the overflow cap and put a pan under the radiator drain plug, and let it drain. Barely have to remove anything.

Also I put a towel around my mouth and blew into the overflow tank which got some more out. I also tried it with my air compressor set to like 10lbs, but making a seal was more difficult.

Ended up filling like 1.75ish gal.

If you're gonna be draining your coolant it might be worth it to do your OFHG at the same time since that requires a coolant change.

Also be aware of the bleeding procedure!!!

If it makes you feel better I did all this in my parents garage with tools I bought from Amazon and guides I read here.

Thanks! I'll try this out once it gets warmer out. I work in a parking lot in our apartment complex, worse than your parent's garage but I appreciate the tips!

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

That's odd. Surely not the factory fill? All N52, N54 and N55 i have seen have blue coolant. The concentrate from BMW is also blue. We occasionally see green where the customer has topped up or taken it to an unaware workshop

Usually it's clear coloured I think. Mine was white from the factory now

[WDE82]

BMW coolant from the dealer is always blue. Never ever heard of anyone saying clear or white. Clear is probably illegal for a poisonous automotive fluid since it looks look much like plain water.

Also the Zerex bottle says use G48 for BMW rather than G-05. Not sure why.