BMARC153920
New member
I haven't read a spec on when the coolant should be changed and if it is a DIY job or not. Anyone have any info?
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Coolant change interval?
- Thread starter BMARC153920
- Start date
lkraus
New member
The only coolant maintenance listed in the owners manual is to check the level. I could not find any mention of a replacement interval on the BMW maintenance DVD. The drain procedure is simple enough (pull the plug), but the refill calls for special tools. It seems the coolant is sucked into the system by vacuum to prevent air bubbles in the system. There might be a more DIY method to achieve the same result, I dunno.
It's interesting that the entire system only holds 1.25 liters of coolant. Must be some very narrow passages.
No mention of a specification - just a part number (83 19 2 211 191)
That number shows as 1.5 liter in the parts fiche. MAX BMW, at least, does not offer that number. They refer you to a gallon (~$25) or a quart size($8.35).
Hey, maybe the BMW plan was to let the coolant leak out a drop at a time from the water pump. Top off the tank periodically and over time all the coolant will be replaced. You guys that had your pumps replaced are gonna be sorry!
It's interesting that the entire system only holds 1.25 liters of coolant. Must be some very narrow passages.
No mention of a specification - just a part number (83 19 2 211 191)
That number shows as 1.5 liter in the parts fiche. MAX BMW, at least, does not offer that number. They refer you to a gallon (~$25) or a quart size($8.35).
Hey, maybe the BMW plan was to let the coolant leak out a drop at a time from the water pump. Top off the tank periodically and over time all the coolant will be replaced. You guys that had your pumps replaced are gonna be sorry!
Lifetime Coolant...until it presents an issue like the other Lifetime Fill on the EVO final drives.
The Wedge K's are every four years per the manual and does take a vacuum manifold set up as the top of engine is above the radiator so it's a decent project and tool investment. I imagine it's standard coolant 101 flush/fill procedure on all new models..
...maybe Mercedes supplies the coolant now
...until it presents an issue like the other Lifetime Fill on the EVO final drives.The Wedge K's are every four years per the manual and does take a vacuum manifold set up as the top of engine is above the radiator so it's a decent project and tool investment. I imagine it's standard coolant 101 flush/fill procedure on all new models..
...maybe Mercedes supplies the coolant now
BMARC153920
New member
Right my concern exactly. I have zero issues going to the dealer or buying tools for this service but I'd like to know the interval specified. I was going to assume it was like most modern cars such as 5 or 7 years and 100,000 or 150k however cars have a lot more coolant so maybe half that.Lifetime Coolant
The Wedge K's are every four years per the manual and does take a vacuum manifold set up as the top of engine is above the radiator so it's a decent project and tool investment. I imagine it's standard coolant 101 flush/fill procedure on all new models..
...maybe Mercedes supplies the coolant now
PGlaves
#13338
I have previously written regarding similar issues. Every so often one of the motorcycle magazines wil do an article comparing maintenance costs for selected motorcycle models. They like to compare costs for "scheduled routine maintenance" over the first one hundred thousand miles or somesuch.
None of the manufacturers like to "lose" these comparisons so sometimes things that ought to be done, or have proven to need to be done are not included in scheduled routine maintenance. Things like clutch hub spline lubrication on classic K bikes and Oilheads come to mind. I usually consider these articles to be works of fiction because of the things that need to be done which are omitted.
It is distinctly possible that a need to change coolant periodically will become evident over time, hopefully for BMW after Motorcyclist or whichever publishes their cost comparison article about the wethead.
None of the manufacturers like to "lose" these comparisons so sometimes things that ought to be done, or have proven to need to be done are not included in scheduled routine maintenance. Things like clutch hub spline lubrication on classic K bikes and Oilheads come to mind. I usually consider these articles to be works of fiction because of the things that need to be done which are omitted.
It is distinctly possible that a need to change coolant periodically will become evident over time, hopefully for BMW after Motorcyclist or whichever publishes their cost comparison article about the wethead.
Running that part number through Amazon returns this product. Note that it also meets VW's requirements for "G-11" coolant, a much more commonly-available product.
36654
New member
Paul,
Just as a point of information, how often did you change coolant in the K-bikes? I'm just looking for a reference.
lkchris
Active member
Lifetime Coolant
Just so you know ... the lifetime fill fluid was NEVER the issue with these final drives. It was assembly problems.
BMARC153920
New member
This is very very true.
Not knocking the SAF-XO fluid or it's designed parameters for the EVO drive.
All assembly vs. design failures on the EVO drives...really?
On the coolant issue, time will tell, would like a visual other than what is in overflow tank on some kind of schedule. Even the Wedge engines coolant looks dirty on some bikes after two to three years.
36654
New member
Yeah, but....I can only recall changing my K75c coolant once in 13-yrs and 80K miles.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Hard to verify and to believe this statement. If it was just an assembly issue, then I wonder why reducing the volume of oil in the FDs seems to have lessened the number of failures substantially; and, why a vent was reintroduced to the FD assembly?
BMARC153920
New member
I beleive that and the vent was done to lessen seal leaks.
PGlaves
#13338
That, and the lack of a vent making the FD case a pressure vessel leading to outboard seal leaks, occasional loss of lots of lubricant, and more than one such FD covered with oil on fire. Little things like that.
lee
Debbie's Servant
On our bikes with the brick engine I would change the coolant every two years or so because the procedure was very easy and the coolant was cheap.
On the newer k bikes with the wedge engine things are more complicated because of drawing the coolant in with vacuum.
lee
Debbie's Servant
Here's a thread on making your own vacuum coolant filler.
http://www.i-bmw.com/showthread.php?t=38146
http://www.i-bmw.com/showthread.php?t=38146
Ponch1
Ponch
I had a VW for 150K miles and when I did the timing belt at 100K, the inside of the block was clean and scale free. Because the water pump should be changed when doing the timing belt, the coolant gets changed too, along with the thermostat, thermostat housing and the timing belt stuff. The block was iron/head aluminum.
PGlaves
#13338
Back in '86 when I bought my first one BMW said to change coolant every two years. I did for a while, but eventually went to four years as coolant seemed to get better, or at least claimed to do so. I have never had a corrosion issue with a 4 year change. Bear in mind that for at least a couple of those changes it was 100K miles on the coolant.
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36654
New member
Excluding a hose failure at 120K miles in a 20+ year old car, I haven't done a coolant flush/change in a car or truck for a few decades. Accordingly, your 100K interval seems reasonable.
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