Bleeding 318IS

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
Trento
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:00 pm

Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:37 pm

How do you bleed the cooling system on the IS, is there a special way of doing it.? I had to change some hoses but are not sure if I should now be doing a bleeding procedure
appletree
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3482
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Retford

Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:52 pm

just about to ask the same for mine!

So far ive opened all the heater vents, turned the heat up full and the blower on to 4. ran the car for 15mis or so and opened the bleed valve and topped up as required as it got very low, also squized the top and bottom hose to try and help the air to escape.

BUT if i now open the bleed screw on top of the rad i dont get any air or water coming out the top but i do get some water from someware running out the bottom of the rad when i open the screw? is this a safety thing to stop water shooting out the top?

Ive had a bit of steam an a trickle of water out but not a great squirt like i expected from the top just this water from the bottom (could be running down a internal drain?)

my rad is a aftermarket one from a 5series auto but its the same just with a built in oil cooler . :D
Image

You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity

M42 Supercharged 285bhp + M3 6speed box
appletree
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3482
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Retford

Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:07 pm

Sorted my problem out, it was coming out the top but it was running between the rad abnd the cover at the top.

so the above should work for you to!

make sure you get good heat coming out the blowers! :D
Image

You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity

M42 Supercharged 285bhp + M3 6speed box
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:37 pm

Jack up the front of the car as high as you can or park on a steep slope.

Then have the engine running and heaters blowing etc and open the bleed screw on the rad.
Top it up until no more bubbles are coming out the bleed screw and job done :D

Easiest and best way I've found of doing the job.
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
User avatar
Trento
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:51 pm

Thanks guys
Post Reply