[oldmots]

I should have mentioned for emphasis, any time you have your cooling system opened, you should verify the system is bled properly before driving the car by quizzing the tech that worked on it about the procedure he used, it may save your engine. I would never let just anyone touch this cooling system, it is THAT touchy.

[ferdi]

I,ve just done a coolant change on the Cooper S, and was surprised how little coolant was required to fill it again. I had removed the bottom hose but thought that because the exit pipe from the radiator pointed upwards, that it was not allowing all of the coolant in the lower radiator to drain. Later I noticed that there were two small bolts holding the plastic lower radiator pipe to the radiator. Has anyone tried undoing these and letting the colant drain from there?

[oldnell]

Oldmots, so when I was told after having my radiator replaced by Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham that the coolant level dropping by more than an expansion tank's worth as airlocks work their way out the system is perfectly normal, was I being misled at the possible expense of the longievity of my engine?