Coolant flush and fuel service during maintenance

[skinsfanin1979]

I was told by service that we should be doing a coolant flush every 3 years? I have heard some differences that BMW offers lifetime while some say to change it every 3 years. My car is under maintenance and they were also trying to charge me for it.

Anyone have experience with this? Is it needed?

[F15GorDe]

Coolant needs to be changed periodically. Depending on your operating conditions this could be as frequently as every other year or so. All of my vehicles have the coolant exchanged every 2 years. Very rarely do I incur coolant system failures when I travel.

[JonM]

I think the official BMW spec says ~ "coolant is lifetime unless service is done to the cooling system" (like new water pump, radiator, or hoses). So, free maintenance won't pay for coolant changes.

That said, I would / do change mine every 4 years. (I do brake fluid every 2 and coolant every 4, easy to remember that way). You should pay to have it done if you don't DIY, it is money well spent. Most BMW engines also have a coolant drain on the block. So if you drain the block and the radiator, you get 99% of the fluid out. You don't need to pay for any "flushing machine" or other fancy service. I do only use original BMW coolant and distilled water.

[skinsfanin1979]

Originally Posted by JonM

I think the official BMW spec says ~ "coolant is lifetime unless service is done to the cooling system" (like new water pump, radiator, or hoses). So, free maintenance won't pay for coolant changes.

That said, I would / do change mine every 4 years. (I do brake fluid every 2 and coolant every 4, easy to remember that way). You should pay to have it done if you don't DIY, it is money well spent. Most BMW engines also have a coolant drain on the block. So if you drain the block and the radiator, you get 99% of the fluid out. You don't need to pay for any "flushing machine" or other fancy service. I do only use original BMW coolant and distilled water.

Thanks for that reply. I will look into DIY if I can. Does $210 for each service sound right? Regarding a coolant flush and fuel service for $420? Not sure what the fuel service exactly does.

[alphaod]

You don't need fuel service this early unless you use really crappy gasoline.

Coolant flush shouldn't be $210 but that sounds about right for dealer service.

[Stinkyxy]

Tell them that you are a huge environmentalist and ask to test the coolant and provide you the results. There is a cheap meter that tells you if the coolant needs to be changed - BMW should have the tool and should not charge if they are t recommending to change. That is, question their basis for the change.

[ponytuning]

Are there any diy instructions on how to do a coolant flush on the f15 or f16 50i?

[gvarr03]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

Are there any diy instructions on how to do a coolant flush on the f15 or f16 50i?

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...check/CNCeB76L

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

Tell them that you are a huge environmentalist and ask to test the coolant and provide you the results. There is a cheap meter that tells you if the coolant needs to be changed - BMW should have the tool and should not charge if they are t recommending to change. That is, question their basis for the change.

The meter only tests for anti freeze / anti boil protection. Not the condition or concentration of rust and corrosion inhibitors which get used up over time. Once the inhitors are used up, the cooling system begins to rust and corrode out. Most chemists would say every 2-4 years you should replace the coolant. Especially when lots of dissimilar metals are in the cooling system.

The other thing a flush does is get rid of sediment in the system. Those little particles cause abrasion of seals and impellers.

$180-200ish is a reasonable dealer price. Last I checked these cars need about $30 in coolant and distilled water, plus disposal of the used coolant and about 30 minutes of labor to change and purge the system of air.

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by gvarr03

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...check/CNCeB76L

Much obliged!

[gvarr03]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

Much obliged!

Also in case you need air purge tool, that is what I'm using.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...l/003466sch01/

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by gvarr03

Also in case you need air purge tool, that is what I'm using.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...l/003466sch01/

Thank you, that will definitely make the job easier. I did notice the instructions say the system needs to be drained first. Do you also happen to have the steps to do that?

LE: Found it! https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...eck/1VnXhWsfEx

LE2: Does the coolant for the charge air cooler (on the passenger side) also need to be drained/bled at the same time as the engine coolant?