Coolant flush?

Bimmer-Bob · 02-01-2018, 10:31 AM

Getting ready to do a coolant flush on my 1er. I know that there is a self-bleed procedure utilizing the electric water pump, but I'm wondering if anyone has any familiarity with this Schwaben purge tool?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...ir-purge-tool/

Would it be useful on our cars? I would still do the self-bleed procedure afterward. It would be helpful with my (much older) Benz, but it would be easier to justify the purchase if I could use it on two cars. And the 1er happens to be due for a flush first.

TIA.

Mr Gasser · 02-01-2018, 11:01 AM

Looks like you still have to drain it the old fashion way, so it may not be that great, since the car has its own bleeder mechanism...
Finding the drain plugs is a better route and messy...however...it may be usefull making sure there are zero leaks and it may do a better job of ensuring the system is without air pockets.

mr.fabulous · 02-01-2018, 07:35 PM

I believe you can get to the bottom of your radiator without too much difficulty. Drain the old fashioned way. You do not need the Schwaben widget, your car bleeds itself (which is pretty cool, actually).

Is there a block drain on an N52? My departed M52 had a block drain... but use that and you get coolant *everywhere*... this is not an earth-friendly procedure if you DIY with ramps. I stopped doing that 10yrs ago and simply flushed the radiator more often.

Tommm · 02-04-2018, 01:07 PM

I Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of distilled water
Ran the motor until the thermostat opened
Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of distilled water
Ran the motor until the thermostat opened
Maybe I did it once more
Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of anti freeze.

Took a while, but that's what a radio in the garage is for during a holiday when my mother in law is visiting.

sprp85 · 02-04-2018, 01:15 PM

It's fairly simple. Did it while changing OFHG.

Drain radiator & thermostat/water pump by undoing a hose.

Hook up everything, fill with distilled water, run the water pump for a few minutes.

Repeat the above process, fill with coolant and bleed once more.

Could be lengthy process but it's very simple..

Mr Gasser · 02-05-2018, 10:52 AM

Do the auto part places accept used anti freeze?

YearOneOne · 02-06-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gasser

Do the auto part places accept used anti freeze?

Just pour it in the woods

bagekko · 02-06-2018, 11:10 AM

Usually or your towns garage/recycle center. Parts places may only accept if you bought from them, but definitely only if its in a proper container.

I use my Milwaukee M18 shop blower to purge via the cap with radiator plug out, shop vac on reverse could also do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gasser

Do the auto part places accept used anti freeze?

chris_flies · 02-06-2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

Just pour it in the woods

I hope you don't live in California, you could be hung in a public spectacle for that thinking!

Edit: I have to drive 30 minutes to the landfill, where they have specialized receptacles for Antifreeze, Oil, and used Batteries. It's convenient, and the drive home (Joplin Road) is a blast! I can't take Joplin there, otherwise I'd have a trunk covered in oil and other nastiness...

mr.fabulous · 02-06-2018, 06:32 PM

The county will take it where I live...

Tommm · 02-06-2018, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommm

I Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of distilled water
Ran the motor until the thermostat opened
Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of distilled water
Ran the motor until the thermostat opened
Maybe I did it once more
Drained the radiator
Added a gallon of anti freeze.

Took a while, but that's what a radio in the garage is for during a holiday when my mother in law is visiting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprp85

It's fairly simple. Did it while changing OFHG.

Drain radiator & thermostat/water pump by undoing a hose.

Hook up everything, fill with distilled water, run the water pump for a few minutes.

Repeat the above process, fill with coolant and bleed once more.

Could be lengthy process but it's very simple..

The only thing your method is missing is the mother in law visiting.

minirips2 · 02-19-2018, 06:37 AM

FWIW-I have the Schwaben vacuum filler. My indy shop uses a similar type. I still do the self bleeding procedure, but the vacuum fill makes filling very fast, easy, and clean. I'm a bit of a "tool junkie", so I get a kick out of using it. BTW, you don't need a big compressor to run it. My little Harbor Freight special supplies enough air to run it. Here's a video of it in use:

iminhell1 · 02-19-2018, 01:03 PM

So a water pump and thermostat was also replaced?

If not, waste of coolant/time.

chris_flies · 02-19-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

So a water pump and thermostat was also replaced?

If not, waste of coolant/time.

It doesn't hurt to restore the corrosion inhibitors and to keep clean stuff in the system to prevent the buildup of gunk. The magnesium-alloy blocks in the N52 are particularly sensitive in terms of corrosion...

KNS · 02-19-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

It doesn't hurt to restore the corrosion inhibitors and to keep clean stuff in the system to prevent the buildup of gunk. The magnesium-alloy blocks in the N52 are particularly sensitive in terms of corrosion...

Absolutely. The coolant also contains conditioners to keep the plastics and rubber hoses from breaking down over the long haul. It needs to be refreshed. You might not notice over 100,000 miles but it will make a difference if you plan to keep your BMW past 200,000 miles and beyond

Bimmer-Bob · 03-10-2018, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

So a water pump and thermostat was also replaced?

If not, waste of coolant/time.

Coolant is cheap and it makes me feel better, lol.

Bimmer-Bob · 03-10-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minirips2

FWIW-I have the Schwaben vacuum filler. My indy shop uses a similar type. I still do the self bleeding procedure, but the vacuum fill makes filling very fast, easy, and clean. I'm a bit of a "tool junkie", so I get a kick out of using it. BTW, you don't need a big compressor to run it. My little Harbor Freight special supplies enough air to run it. Here's a video of it in use:

Thanks! I was hoping to hear from someone who has actually used the tool. It's not very much money, and I need to do the coolant in my W124 soon (which definitely does not self-bleed), so it's good to hear that you found it beneficial, even on our cars. Will probably go ahead and try it out.

iminhell1 · 03-11-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Coolant is cheap and it makes me feel better, lol.

Fair enough.

I was thinking more on this and I'm wondering if there is something with a 'dielectric constant' that may prolong a pump replacement.

Happy Jose · 03-11-2018, 04:52 PM

I suggest just flushing the toilet! The coolant is good nearly forever. You people are anal with all your flushing, oil changes, and god knows what else!

chris_flies · 03-11-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I suggest just flushing the toilet! The coolant is good nearly forever. You people are anal with all your flushing, oil changes, and god knows what else!

Spending 30-40 minutes is better than getting stranded and murdered/raped/humiliated/kidnapped in (insert local big city here)!

The coolant may be effective forever, but the supplemental stuff inside it isn't. Corrosion is a bad thing, especially in an engine as finnicky as the N52 (magnesium is involved), and these water pumps are sketchy enough as-is, it's best not to deprive them of the lubrication that is eventually broken-down and rendered useless...

Tommm · 03-13-2018, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

I suggest just flushing the toilet! The coolant is good nearly forever. You people are anal with all your flushing, oil changes, and god knows what else!

I do. Once a week. I don't want to waste precious resources

minirips2 · 03-14-2018, 08:32 AM

I think you'll like the tool, Bimmer Bob. You should still do the self bleed procedure, though. FWIW, my local independent shop uses the vacuum bleed system also. Be careful not to tighten the adapter too tight in the coolant tank filler neck, because we all know how fragile these tanks are!

02-01-2018, 10:31 AM	#1
Bimmer-Bob ! 693 Rep 3,266 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	Coolant flush? Getting ready to do a coolant flush on my 1er. I know that there is a self-bleed procedure utilizing the electric water pump, but I'm wondering if anyone has any familiarity with this Schwaben purge tool? https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...ir-purge-tool/ Would it be useful on our cars? I would still do the self-bleed procedure afterward. It would be helpful with my (much older) Benz, but it would be easier to justify the purchase if I could use it on two cars. And the 1er happens to be due for a flush first. TIA. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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02-01-2018, 11:01 AM	#2
Mr Gasser First Lieutenant 73 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 135i 09 M-Sport Black on Black Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Looks like you still have to drain it the old fashion way, so it may not be that great, since the car has its own bleeder mechanism... Finding the drain plugs is a better route and messy...however...it may be usefull making sure there are zero leaks and it may do a better job of ensuring the system is without air pockets.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2018, 07:35 PM	#3
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	I believe you can get to the bottom of your radiator without too much difficulty. Drain the old fashioned way. You do not need the Schwaben widget, your car bleeds itself (which is pretty cool, actually). Is there a block drain on an N52? My departed M52 had a block drain... but use that and you get coolant everywhere... this is not an earth-friendly procedure if you DIY with ramps. I stopped doing that 10yrs ago and simply flushed the radiator more often. __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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02-04-2018, 01:07 PM	#4
Tommm Driven Crazy 190 Rep 505 Posts Drives: his wife nuts 128i 6m Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The Mile High iTrader: (1)	I Drained the radiator Added a gallon of distilled water Ran the motor until the thermostat opened Drained the radiator Added a gallon of distilled water Ran the motor until the thermostat opened Maybe I did it once more Drained the radiator Added a gallon of anti freeze. Took a while, but that's what a radio in the garage is for during a holiday when my mother in law is visiting. __________________ '08 128i 6M
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02-04-2018, 01:15 PM	#5
sprp85 Lieutenant 96 Rep 406 Posts Drives: S54/N52 Join Date: May 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 E46 M3 [0.00] 2007 E91 328i [0.00]	It's fairly simple. Did it while changing OFHG. Drain radiator & thermostat/water pump by undoing a hose. Hook up everything, fill with distilled water, run the water pump for a few minutes. Repeat the above process, fill with coolant and bleed once more. Could be lengthy process but it's very simple..
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02-05-2018, 10:52 AM	#6
Mr Gasser First Lieutenant 73 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 135i 09 M-Sport Black on Black Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Do the auto part places accept used anti freeze?
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02-06-2018, 06:32 PM	#10
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	The county will take it where I live... __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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02-19-2018, 06:37 AM	#12
minirips2 Second Lieutenant 207 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6M CR Slicktop Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Illinois iTrader: (1)	FWIW-I have the Schwaben vacuum filler. My indy shop uses a similar type. I still do the self bleeding procedure, but the vacuum fill makes filling very fast, easy, and clean. I'm a bit of a "tool junkie", so I get a kick out of using it. BTW, you don't need a big compressor to run it. My little Harbor Freight special supplies enough air to run it. Here's a video of it in use:
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02-19-2018, 01:03 PM	#13
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	So a water pump and thermostat was also replaced? If not, waste of coolant/time.
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03-11-2018, 04:52 PM	#19
Happy Jose Banned 114 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Waynesville, Ohio iTrader: (0)	I suggest just flushing the toilet! The coolant is good nearly forever. You people are anal with all your flushing, oil changes, and god knows what else!
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03-14-2018, 08:32 AM	#22
minirips2 Second Lieutenant 207 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6M CR Slicktop Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Illinois iTrader: (1)	I think you'll like the tool, Bimmer Bob. You should still do the self bleed procedure, though. FWIW, my local independent shop uses the vacuum bleed system also. Be careful not to tighten the adapter too tight in the coolant tank filler neck, because we all know how fragile these tanks are!
	Appreciate 0 Quote