17 00 039 Bleeding cooling system and checking for watertightness (N63)

WARNING: Risk of scalding!
Open sealing cap only after engine has cooled down.

IMPORTANT: You must protect the alternator against contamination before carrying out any repair work on the cooling circuit. Cover alternator with suitable materials. Failure to comply with this procedure may result in an alternator malfunction.

IMPORTANT: Electric coolant pump: Follow notes for CARRYING OUT REPAIR WORK ON THE COOLING SYSTEM .

IMPORTANT: Lifetime coolant filling: Never reuse used coolant. When replacing and removing components which rely on the corrosion protection effect of the coolant, it is essential to change the coolant. The cooling system must therefore be drained and refilled.

IMPORTANT: In the case of other removal work involving the draining of part quantities of coolant, replace these quantities which have been drained with new coolant.

When refilling:

Use only recommended COOLANT .
Observe appropriate water/antifreeze mixture ratio.

Perform filling operation slowly.

Adjust coolant level to maximum.

Fig 1: Identifying Coolant Level

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Close coolant expansion tank (2).

Installation note:

Close the sealing cap (1) until the arrows line up.

Fig 2: Aligning Coolant Expansion Tank Sealing Cap Arrows

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: The following bleeding procedure is necessary when a part is replaced in the cooling system or when the cooling system is refilled.

Adding coolant:

Cooling system must be filled with a VACUUM FILLING UNIT only!

Observe FILLING CAPACITIES .

Observe appropriate water/antifreeze mixture ratio.

Fig 3: Identifying Coolant Level

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Venting cooling system:

NOTE: Leave the coolant expansion tank sealing cap open during the bleeding procedure.

Ensure that both cooling circuits are filled before starting the automatic bleeding procedure. The bleeding procedure is automatically started simultaneously for both cooling circuits. If the bleeding processes is started while one of the cooling circuit is empty, there is a risk of damage to the coolant pump from running it dry.

Switch on the low-beam headlights to perform the bleeding procedure. If the low-beam headlights are not switched on, the ignition (Terminal 15) will switch off automatically after a certain period of time and interrupt the bleeding procedure.

Release bleeder screws on coolant feed lines to exhaust turbocharger (if installed).
Add coolant to the upper edge of the expansion tank. The coolant level must no drop. No drop in coolant for approx. 1 minute. Close the bleeder screws of the exhaust turbocharger when coolant emerges.
FES (driving experience switch) must not be in ECO PRO!
Set heating to maximum temperature. Press the automatic button. Then reduce the blower to the smallest level for a minimum time of 5 minutes.
After the heating pump is switched off, continue adding coolant to the upper edge of the expansion tank.
Check COOLING SYSTEM for watertightness.
Close expansion tank.
Start engine. Let the engine idle for approx. 1 minute. During this time, press on the accelerator 3 x for 5 s each to approx. 3000 RPM.
Warm up engine and activate map thermostat via BMW diagnosis system.
When the engine has cooled off, check the coolant level and adjust it to approx. 110 mm to 160 mm below the upper edge of the coolant filler neck (described further below in these instructions).

Close coolant expansion tank.

Installation note:

Close the sealing cap (1) of the expansion tank (2) to the point where the arrows align.

Fig 4: Aligning Coolant Expansion Tank Sealing Cap Arrows

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.