changing engine coolant!

[bemini]

Hi my mini has never had an engine coolant do anyone reconmmend doing so or just top it up, and if the so what engine coolant is best? thanks

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
I use BMW coolant.
My MCS JCW change the coolant every year

Best Regards

[Root Ginger]

BMW recommend it should be changed every 2nd brake fluid change. brake fluid warning comes up every 2 years so the coolant should be changed every 4.

[Eds]

Do you need to bleed any entrapped air when draining then refilling coolant?

Thanks

Ed

[smc]

Best change it once a year

[Root Ginger]

What would be the benefit of changing every year? I can't see one.

[kapps]

The problem with the MINI's cooling system is that there's no real way of getting all the old coolant out. When you disconnect the lower radiator hose to drain the coolant, the expansion tank and radiator will be drained but not much from in the engine. The engine block drain is not accessible without removing the starter (I believe). Also, when you fill the system back up, it won't start flowing until the thermostat is open. I recommend filling the upper radiator hose through the bleed valve in order to get some coolant in that area.

When I did this last year, the engine temp gauge went up about 2/3 and I turned the car off. After letting it sit for a few minutes, I started it back up and everything seemed to flow fine.

Bleed the system through the screw on the upper radiator hose several times to get all the air out.

[Aberdeen Al]

My coolant was running low so topped it up........................then it run low again...............topped it up.....................run low low again! Went to the dealer and got a phonecall 1 x hour later saying that the radiator cap was faulty therefore the coolant was flashing off due to the pressure drop caused by the faulty cap. £3.60 for a new one so I told them to order it - picked up my car to find a bill for over £90 for the pressure test.............bandits!