How to change coolant on MCS?

[asinn]

hi guys,

does anyone know is there a PDF or a website that teach you how to drain out all the coolant on a MCS?

regards
Alfred

[mike]

Did you ever get an answer? I am about to do mine and have obtained BMW factory CD's, the TIS included that explain the process. IF you still need assistance, let me know and I can walk you thru it. Fairly straight foward and simple, just the order of the steps is important. If you have the oppertunity to get these CD's, do it. Pictures and explanations on everything, designed for the MINI shop tech so it leads you thru it all. Hint...EBAY, $13.00 US.
Mike

[mickkassem]

If you have the steps, would you share in the coolant change process? Is there no drain valve on the radiator? Thanks for the help, Mick

[mike]

Ok, the following is from the BMW Technical Information System, 1982-2004, v 6.3.1.23B, and addresses the Series R53, engine W11 Cooper S. Call that my disclaimer, neither BMW nor myself is responsible, etc, etc. You will need the vehicle on ramps or a similar safe elevation device.
1) Carry out the work on the cooling system after cool down
2) Properly dispose of the coolant per local regulations
3) Before ignition off, place the heater control in HIGH HEAT and the fan on LOW
4) Remove the pressure relief cap on the expansion tank
5) Remove the under body protection panel
6) Disconnect the lower radiator hose, drain and catch the coolant. You will get wet.
7) When it stops flowing, reconnect the hose
8) This part is hard to describe but...behind and below the intercooler, under the wiring bundle, is the heating distribution pipe. This is a small, 1" or so, rubber hose. You can see it when looking down over the back of the intercooler. There is a small 6 pt bolt head, looks shiney, cadnium plated or such, screwed into a fitting in the heater hose. This is a VENT plug and must now be RELEASED (loosened).
9) RELEASE the vent plug in the UPPER hose. This is visible at the top of the radiator, this plug is slotted for a screw driver and is also fitted to a port clamped into the hose. Leave BOTH plugs loose as the system is vented during filling.
10) Using proper type and mixed coolant, pour the coolant into the expansion tank. As the coolant emerges from the vent plugs, tighten them.
11) Fill the expansion tank to the MAXIMUM indication line.
12) Start the engine and allow to run at idle, adding coolant if the level drops.
13) Continue running the engine until the coolant stops dropping, switch off the engine and top off if necessary. FLUSH all surfaces with water when finished.

Those are the steps, I will guess that the non S is configured different because of the water pump location. I do suspect that the vents are there and that one could apply the above steps and do the job regardless, but I do not know that for a fact.

Hopefully this will be of some help. As I said, these discs are becoming available as upgrades are made in the BMW service system and these are outdated. The proceedures they cover and the parts breakdowns with numbers is very valuable.

Mike

[mickkassem]

Thanks so much. This was a great help. I will look on eBay right now. Best regards, Mick

[Coopspeed]

The part about disconnecting the lower hose. Do I need to take the clamp off? There is a neck that goes into the radiator that appears to be held in with a 8mm or so screw. Would removing that screw allow the neck to come out?

Thanks

[mickkassem]

I just changed the coolant in my Cooper S and do not remember screws. The hose has a compression clamp and it can be moved up on the hose. The hose slipped off the lower radiator inlet very easily. It was a little tricky getting the hose back on but not too bad.

[IanW]

Just followed this thread and did my coolant. Pretty straightforward. Only issue is I only managed to get 3.5 litres of coolant (50/50 mix) back in when the manual says capacity is 6 litres (although dealer said they dont normally get quote this much in).

I dont believe there is an airlock as all seems well (no overheating and heater working OK). So this means I mustnt have got all the old coolant out upon draining.

Anybody else had this issue? What did you do to get more out?

I figure I will leave it for now as at least 60% of coolant it new.........

[DSCS]

Ok I got the answer!!

[dave0098]

did u only get 3.5 ltrs because the thermostat wasnt open? im not sure just a thought.

[Soopercooperinfo]

Check out post # 17 for an easy solution to a coolant flush.