* E46 Cooling Guide (Information w/parts list/bleeding) *

Originally Posted by 7xWDC-MSC

There isn't anything in the cooling system that will eat copper.

+1
Used to make radiators out of copper tubing, and anti-freeze has always been ethylene glycol.

coppers fine. put car on ramps to bleed is best. drive it up on ramps w/ or w/o coolant. doesn't matter

Got the thing out what a pain my my you know what. Tried for an hour and lost the bolt in the subframe. Special order part from BMW! I'm hoping I can get it back in so I can complete the overhaul. The XI's engine drain location is so hard to get to.

Mango, I've read some post that you state to install the Expansion Tank and Bracket onto the Radiator before installing. Have you done this for the AT yet?

The car really needed the overhaul, all parts appears to have 05/06 dates but the pulleys/idlers were so worn you could see where the belt was imprinted into the pulley!

Joe

I ordered a new INA pulley. mine had developed some play in it after 30k miles. kinda dissapoint

Not sure if I follow. Can you confirm I should put the new exp tank bracket, tank ontot he radiator before I put the radiator into the car is it easier?

Joe

I would put the bracket on first, then install the radiator, then the ET. I just did this two weeks ago. But really, once you have it apart, you can see what works best for you.

Sent from my Galaxy 10.1 Tablet on bimmer app.

Originally Posted by caleb6

I would put the bracket on first, then install the radiator, then the ET. I just did this two weeks ago. But really, once you have it apart, you can see what works best for you.

+1 for the way you did the job.

Originally Posted by caleb6

I would put the bracket on first, then install the radiator, then the ET. I just did this two weeks ago. But really, once you have it apart, you can see what works best for you.

Sent from my Galaxy 10.1 Tablet on bimmer app.

I agree. I did it that way with mine and it seemed easier than finding how to re mount it by feel or flashlight.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

I ordered a new INA pulley. mine had developed some play in it after 30k miles. kinda dissapoint

What brand is your old pulley?

Originally Posted by TonyJ

What brand is your old pulley?

BMA said F.A.G.

So can a bad coolant temperature sensor cause sluggish acceleration and cause a fan clutch to engage more often, Mango?

Originally Posted by E46Mango

I ordered a new INA pulley. mine had developed some play in it after 30k miles. kinda dissapoint

I have an INA tensioner and a Meyle deflection pulley that I had replaced when doing my cooling refresh 31,000 miles ago. When doing my normal inspection this weekend I noticed my pulleys both had play. The INA had more than the Meyle. Actually, INA kept spinning. Decided not to order anything less than OEM, I'll be happily inspecting/replacing these every 30,000 miles or every year for me from now on. I feel these should be inspected by everyone sooner than every 60,000-80,000 miles for the cooling system.

Originally Posted by ClaytonL

I have an INA tensioner and a Meyle deflection pulley that I had replaced when doing my cooling refresh 31,000 miles ago. When doing my normal inspection this weekend I noticed my pulleys both had play. The INA had more than the Meyle. Actually, INA kept spinning. Decided not to order anything less than OEM, I'll be happily inspecting/replacing these every 30,000 miles or every year for me from now on. I feel these should be inspected by everyone sooner than every 60,000-80,000 miles for the cooling system.

That's true. I agree. By play do you mean spinning like a skateboard play or back and forth play like if you wiggle it? mine was wiggling a little bit in addition to some dry sounding spinning action (though not that bad)

I feel these pulleys start feeling dry after about a month or so of use. maybe they can use some better grease packed into them? like Redline CV2? would be afraid of damaging the seal though.

Originally Posted by UDM-E46 Enthusiast

So can a bad coolant temperature sensor cause sluggish acceleration and cause a fan clutch to engage more often, Mango?

Not really sure. I've never had one go bad on me. It's so cheap to replace, I don't question it. Just replace it

Originally Posted by E46Mango

That's true. I agree. By play do you mean spinning like a skateboard play or back and forth play like if you wiggle it? mine was wiggling a little bit in addition to some dry sounding spinning action (though not that bad)

I feel these pulleys start feeling dry after about a month or so of use. maybe they can use some better grease packed into them? like Redline CV2? would be afraid of damaging the seal though.

I have both the back and forth play as well as the dry skateboard wheel feel. For the record, the INA doesnt have any play but was REALLY dry and kept spinning for about 4 seconds. The Meyle had enough play to cause an audible click when wiggling but did not keep spinning as much as the INA. Both had that dry bearing sounds when I messed with them. To me, the INA held up better since I'd rather have zero play in my pulleys.

I thought about greasing them but I'm worried about their integrity once they are on the car again. I'm scared they might come apart on my daily commute and I live too far to be worrying about that all the time. When I get my new pulleys I will try and take apart the old ones and see about the greasing. For now, just replacing the pulleys every 30,000 miles is good enough insurance for me. Maybe Genuine BMW pulleys will hold up longer? Better quality INA? I don't really know...

Pulleys too cheap to grease.
Consequences too large to not replace with new.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Pulleys too cheap to grease.
Consequences too large to not replace with new.

no no. i'm talking greasing them brand new out of the box with higher quality grease.

Bleed video: (can a mod put it in the bleed part of the post?)

mango where is the drain bolt to drain out old coolant?

Originally Posted by NickBMW

mango where is the drain bolt to drain out old coolant?

above passenger side engine mount