jimdpearce

I recently bought a 1999 528i and I wanted to change the antifreeze this winter. I heard that it is not easy and there are a few things done differently than changing antifreeze in other cars? Can I just drain it, add the proper antifreeze and water....warm up engine with heater on and radiator cap off and wait until it's warm????? Thanks!!!!

pauliehcfr

it is simple. 1st you need to remove the lower splash shield from under the car-the one under the engine. look on the driver side of the radiator, you should see a blue drain plug. just loosen the plug, I don't think it comes out all the way. remove the radiator cap and the plastic phillips head screw next to the cap. resecurethe drain plug and refill with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. you want to fill it until the coolant comes out of the bleeder hole (the one that had the plastic phiilip screw) in a steady stream without bubbles. you won't get all the bubbles out. put the screw back in and set the climate control to full hot and front defroster. with the engine running, top off the coolant and reistall the cap. run engine to operating temperature and until strong heat is felt from the defroster (thermostat is now open) you should be well topped off, but after the engine has cooled, just recheck the level.