How To Bleed BMW E90 Cooling System?

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To circulate coolant and bleed air from the system, the electric coolant pump will run for roughly 12 minutes.

How to bleed a water pump that is mechanical (older BMWs)

Tools Required:

  • Jack (depending on model) (depending on model)
  • Jack postures (depending on model)
  • the screwdriver
  • Auto Key

How can you tell if your water pump is mechanical? A mechanical water pump is almost probably present in a BMW that was built before 2004. With the E90 in 2004, BMW started adding electric water pumps on the 3 Series. The E46, E36, and E30 are belt-driven mechanical water pumps, as are all prior 3 Series models.

These older BMW models require manual bleeding. Even while it’s a fairly quick and simple process, it does require more patience and time than versions of electric water pumps that “self-bleed.” These automobiles have mechanical water pumps, thermostats, and reservoirs positioned on the radiator’s side.

**To lift the front end of these vehicles, I utilize a jack, jack stands, or ramps. Why? Because the bleed screw and radiator are now the highest points on the coolant system, this will let the air move more easily. The majority of people don’t do it, but in my experience, it’s the best approach to guarantee that all air bubbles are eliminated from the cooling system.

**This bleed method will still function flawlessly if your heater is broken. I’ve done this procedure a lot of times when someone’s a/c control module has failed. Simply omit the step requiring you to turn on the heat.

  • Put the front end on ramps or jack it up. (This step is advised but not necessary.)
  • Open the bleed screw, then add coolant until it reaches the fill line. Take off the fill cap.
  • Set the fan speed and the heat to their highest settings.
  • The engine should be started and given time to reach working temperature. Release air when it heats up by loosening the bleed screw, then tighten it again.
  • Reinstall the fill cap and tighten it firmly. Press the gas pedal to increase the engine’s rotational speed to 2000–2500 RPMs. If your heat works, it should be pumping hot air at this stage at full force. You can see from this that the heater core is dripping with coolant.
  • After tightening the bleed screw, setting the car down and giving it a short spin, you’re done!

What occurs if BMW fails to bleed the coolant?

My 2014 335i gt’s radiator vent line broke, leaking some coolant, therefore I had to follow the instructions for bleeding the system after adding the coolant back in.

If anyone knows why they don’t just instruct you to put the engine on and drive about to let the air out, please let me know.

I have some ideas, but I’m curious if someone here who is “in the know” could clarify this.

You can’t fully fill the system with coolant if the air hasn’t been bled out. The hoses will contain air entrapment areas. If the engine and transmission are operated, they may overheat and destroy a variety of parts, beginning with the water pump and becoming worse from there.

No, the purpose is to remove air from the system. Since the system is sealed, any trapped air will remain there unless it is purged. For this reason, the coolant must also be injected under pressure into the circuit. This Oldsmobile is not your father’s.

Oh, I understood what bleeding was and why it was necessary. I apologize if I was unclear.

My concern related to how BMW decided to handle it. My friend and I are discussing how you bleed the system on a BMW as opposed to another kind of automobile. He believes that BMW’s process is overly complex. Procedures like these don’t exist simply because they do, thus I believe there is a strong rationale for it.

So here’s my inquiry: what design issue was BMW attempting to address by developing a method for bleeding the coolant circuit while the engine is not running?

I don’t necessarily see a design issue. If you wait for the engine to reach operating temperature before the cooling system can purge trapped air, damage may occur before the air exits the system since coolant doesn’t circulate through the system completely until then. That cannot occur if the air is purged without starting the engine.

He is referring to a thermostat; once the coolant reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat opens, and the coolant circulates throughout the entire system.

Don’t forget to fully activate your heater so that the water can also pass through the heater core.

No car, not even an Oldsmobile or a Honda, can be bled by just driving it around; instead, a bleeder screw is located at the highest point of the cooling system, or the overflow/radiator cap is used.

What is the time required to bleed coolant on a BMW?

FAQs. How much time does it take to bleed the cooling system of air? Depending on the model and approach you use, it typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. However, warming the engine and removing the coolant takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

What volume of coolant can a BMW E90 hold?

Engines in BMW E90 models with automatic transmissions typically contain 8.2 liters of coolant, while those with manual transmissions store 8.4 liters.

What causes the BMW e90 to overheat?

Coolant is necessary for your BMW engine to maintain a consistent temperature. Your engine has to work more to maintain the proper engine temperature throughout the warmer months of the year. It can be harmful to spring a coolant leak, especially in certain circumstances. As air pushes its way inside the system, it forms a pocket of air that obstructs the flow of coolant. One of the main causes of engine overheating is inadequate coolant flow or coolant leaks; without coolant, the engine is unable to operate at its ideal temperature.

How do you handle an overheating BMW?

What to do if your BMW overheats is as follows:

  • Stop and pull over: Stop the car in a secure area, then pull over.
  • Turn up the heat: If the car is still travelling to safety, turn off the air conditioning and crank up the heat.
  • All windows should be opened to let the heat go.
  • Check the coolant: After the engine has finished cooling, open the hood and check the radiator’s coolant level. Refill if necessary.
  • Restarting the engine will allow you to safely drive to your repair. Don’t assume everything is fine on its own. You must still have an expert examine it.

Remember that it takes about 30 minutes for overheated engines to cool down sufficiently so you may see inside. Over-checking puts you at great risk of harm.

You might be concerned about what would occur if you kept driving a hot car. You might:

  • Bend the cylinder heads.
  • damage the head gasket
  • Breach a hose
  • Your exhaust system has been harmed
  • Your engine’s parts will melt

To be safe, send your hot car to your mechanic as soon as you can to avoid costly engine problems.

Why is my e90 getting too hot?

Overheating problems with BMW engines are a frequent complaint among BMW owners. BMWs can overheat for a variety of reasons, including coolant leaks, clogged cooling systems, broken water pumps, and improper coolant usage. It’s crucial to have your car evaluated by a licensed, professional mechanic who is an expert at fixing and maintaining these highly tuned driving machines in order to properly assess the symptoms.

Is water need to be added to BMW coolant?

To make the best coolant, they must be mixed. You can purchase antifreeze that is full strength and needs to be diluted with distilled water before being applied to the engine system, or you can purchase ready-made combinations of coolant that already have water added.

If you replace the thermostat, do you need to bleed the coolant?

The cooling system can be difficult to work on, but auto mechanics must make sure the entire repair or replacement is carried out completely. The technician should make sure the cooling system is completely free of air bubbles after replacing a thermostat. The risk of overheating will increase if not.

Refill antifreeze after replacing the thermostat. Start the car while the radiator cap is off. Allow the antifreeze to circulate throughout the engine for five minutes. Immediately after stopping the engine, let it cool. If required, recheck the antifreeze level and top it off.

Why is my BMW 328i from 2007 overheating?

The radiator fan, a broken thermostat, or a coolant leak (from the water pump, radiator, hose, etc.) are the three most frequent causes of overheating in a BMW 328i. fluid leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)

Why is blue coolant used by BMW?

To maintain your cooling system operating at its peak, use only German OEM engine antifreeze, component number 82141467704. (82 14 1 467 704). Because they don’t include nitrites, amines, phosphates, or borates, BMW exclusively suggests specific coolants. BMW cooling systems typically do not work with off-the-shelf coolant from a neighborhood parts store, and mixing various coolant formulas is not advised (in a pinch you should use distilled water).

The well-known blue coolant, which has been in use since the 1990s, is only permitted for vehicles with model years up to 2018. Internally, it is referred to as the G48 formula and is exclusive to BMW/MINI vehicles. In comparison to other forms of coolant, the blue coolant formula is a hybrid that extends coolant service life and is less harmful to the environment. On vehicles manufactured in 2018 and later, BMW replaced it with a new formulation that contains silicate and offers superior immediate corrosion protection. BMW does not advise using the older blue formula for vehicles created after January 2018.

For increased corrosion resistance, anti-freeze defense, and water pump lubrication in street cars, we advise combining distilled water in a 1:1 ratio with the mixture. Reduce the amount of antifreeze in your coolant mixture if you want more cooling properties, but only in warmer climates where freezing is impossible (see chart below). We advise monitoring the freezing point of the coolant mixture if you want to use antifreeze and water ratios other than 1:1.

Red Line Water Wetter can also be added if high temperatures could lead to engine banging or pre-ignition.

  • BMW # 82141467704, genuine German OEM antifreeze
  • optimum cooling, freeze prevention, lubrication of the water pump, and corrosion resistance

What signs indicate air in the cooling system?

In a nutshell, it is caused by air bubbles that are present in the cooling system. Even a small amount can result in air pockets, which obstruct the coolant’s ability to circulate properly. Radiator airlock warning signs and symptoms include:

  • overheating while driving normally
  • heater not working properly
  • decreased effectiveness
  • rapid coolant loss and radiator leaks

Regular overheating is bad for your engine, and if the issue is not resolved, it may require expensive repairs in the future.

What symptoms indicate a faulty water pump in a BMW?

Another significant factor in the equation is age and distance. Despite any other issues, you might want to think about installing a new water pump if your automobile has logged tens of thousands of kilometers. Water pumps do not last indefinitely, so if yours has served you well for 75,000 miles with no issues at all, it may be time to think about replacing it so you don’t end up on the side of the road when your water pump decides it has outlived its usefulness.