I'd like to do a complete drain and fill of my mini cooper's cooling system. I know that on some cars you pulling the radiator gets it all and on others there is tons left in the block.

How do I ensure a complete drain and fill on this vehicle?

Thanks!

 

I think the regular gravity method gets most out, but not absolutely all.

When I changed out my water pump + rad I just did it that way...

...but some people use the shopvac method which is more effective at getting more out,
a good write-up here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3194300

That's probably the best method for a DIY home flush.

 

Is the gravity method the same as just pulling the radiator like I did? If so, I did so on ramps so you have me wondering a little bit.

Going Peak Global Lifetime and distilled water this time around. Inexpensive by mini standards but pricey compared to run to advance auto standards and harder to obtain.

Want to do this as "right" as possible but don't want to get OCD about it as this is not quite the cars mission. It's just a regular daily that doesn't get pushed much.

 

Yeah, I didn't know what to call it so I called it that.

No worries,
I think you'll be fine.

 

Pulling the radiator, or simply pulling the lower hose is about it, just make sure you've removed or loosened the expansion tank cap, and if you used stands to get to things underneath, drop the front end back to ride height or lower to drain as much as possible.
What little is left won't effect the properties of the new coolant enough to matter, esp if you're changing it at regular intervals and not letting it go to failure.

 

I Judy completed this and it helps to blow air through the bleeder screw, 15psi
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I also was changing the oil cooler and oil housing gasket and poured out more coolant through those hoses.

You can't get it all but disconnecting, blowing and vacuuming can help

Mark

 

I could be wrong, but I think I only get half the cooling system capacity out when I remove the lower rad hose and drain it.

I think the system capacity is 6L and I usually only get about 3 L out when I drain the system.

My method is to buy 5 or 6 gallons of distilled water, Drain the system and fill with distilled water, bleed the system and get it circulating.
Drain and repeat a few times until you basically have just distilled water in the system.
Drain the system and add 2-3 liters of concentrated coolant.