How much coolant needed?
 

Hey guys I'm planning to change the thermostat+housing on my '96 ti. How much coolant will I need?

I've read up on the cooling system in the bentley manual, pelican website and other notes here and there but still am hesitant to dive in without knowing 100% what I'm doing. I've never changed a thermostat or coolant before and at this point, it is a huge job for me.

I purchased 1 gallon of coolant from BMW of Hono, should that be enough when mixed with mineral water or should I buy another gallon?

i think its 6 liters for a full change

use de-ionised water instead of mineral.. too much calcium in that

a gallon is about 4 liters yea?

How do you guys mix the water/coolant? I'm thinking I can just fill with 1 quart or liter of each at a time until full. Any problems with this procedure?

I have a game plan now, just need to get all the required replacement parts and tools for the job. Now that I have read the material for the umpteenth time, I think I got it down!

Wish I had a garage, this would be much easier and convenient.

it depends on the coolant you´r using fella :)

the mix insructions are always on the back :)

you can buy gallons of coolant already mixed if your worried about messing it up

I use a spare washer fluid bottle. Make sure you rinse it out well.

1. Pour half of the coolant into the washer fluid bottle (using graduations on side of bottle).
2. Pour distilled water into coolant bottle to make 50/50 (again, use the marks on the bottle)
3. Pour remaining coolant and water together which will be 50/50.

If you use a premixed 50/50 ethylene glycol based antifreeze is should be 6.8 quarts. If its done when engine is NOT hot it should fill up to kalt/cold. Dont forget to burp the baby.

Well, the deed is done. It was the messiest work I have ever done on a car. Klunkiest too. How can you not make a mess changing the coolant? I had it everywhere on the car, me, the parking lot(:frown:), (I'm positive I will get a taking to from some property manager...), and a little in the drain pan.

Why does a coolant change seem so backwards with the technology that BMW has? Frustrating.

The elements did not help either, the trade winds were blowing, which helped the draining coolant spray out from the radiator drain plug.

Lessons learned:

1. Ensure the car is level prior to draining coolant. ( The car was on 4 jack stands but still not level)

2. Make sure you have the proper tools identified prior to starting the job.

3. I recommend doing a dry run (with tools) of every detail of the job to get an idea of what you will be going through.

etc. etc. etc.

Thanks for the help guys, it is appreciated.

Next job: change coolant on the '85 528e...

If it makes you feel better I drained my diff oil and spilled it all over my basement floor. My apartment landlord was pissed. It smelled so bad.

diff oil is the worst :(

My dad told me not to do it myself because of the smell. So what did I do? I changed it myself.