Coolant draining issue on my R50
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
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From: Evanston IL
Coolant draining issue on my R50
Last night I decided to flush the coolant on my R50 and ran into an issue. Mind you I have never had an overheating issue and no leaks so as far as I know everything works.
I took the following steps:
- unhook the bottom hose from the radiator to drain the radiator. Probably about a gallon came out.
- open the front right bleeder, as well as the expansion tank and the breeder down below behind the engine
- the plan was to fill it up with distilled water for the flush. But when I started to fill it up I was only able to add about 12 oz of water
What am I missing? What is preventing me from draining it all? Is it that the thermostat is closed, therefore, the coolant in the engine is not coming out?
I'm also having a hard time finding a good diagram of the R50 coolant system. It doesn't seem to match with this one: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...i-Cooper&mg=17
I took the following steps:
- unhook the bottom hose from the radiator to drain the radiator. Probably about a gallon came out.
- open the front right bleeder, as well as the expansion tank and the breeder down below behind the engine
- the plan was to fill it up with distilled water for the flush. But when I started to fill it up I was only able to add about 12 oz of water
What am I missing? What is preventing me from draining it all? Is it that the thermostat is closed, therefore, the coolant in the engine is not coming out?
I'm also having a hard time finding a good diagram of the R50 coolant system. It doesn't seem to match with this one: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...i-Cooper&mg=17
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,489
Likes: 629
From: Fuquay Varina, NC
I use a wet vacuum when I want to change my coolant. Open up the bleed screw, put the suction hose into the overflow tank and turn it on. I then can measure what I have taken out so I can refill.
When I refill, I disconnect the hose at the bleed fitting, rotate the hose going into the radiator so that it is pointed up and then fill until it gets to close to the top of the radiator, can usually tell this by sound. Then I reconnect the bleed fitting and use a real small tipped funnel to fill the rest through the bleed screw hole. Put some in the overflow and completed.
Where you filling from?
When I refill, I disconnect the hose at the bleed fitting, rotate the hose going into the radiator so that it is pointed up and then fill until it gets to close to the top of the radiator, can usually tell this by sound. Then I reconnect the bleed fitting and use a real small tipped funnel to fill the rest through the bleed screw hole. Put some in the overflow and completed.
Where you filling from?
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
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From: Evanston IL
Interesting. So using a wet vacuum really works? Is there a "how to" on this site with good steps and if possible pics?
I was refilling it through the thermostat housing.
I'm planning on replacing the thermostat. I think it's stuck in the close position.
I was refilling it through the thermostat housing.
I'm planning on replacing the thermostat. I think it's stuck in the close position.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,489
Likes: 629
From: Fuquay Varina, NC
I wrap tape around the end of the vacuum hose so there is a good tight fit. Loosen the bleed screw and then turn the vacuum on. It will pull just about everything out of the radiator. You can feel the coolant going through the hose.
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