cmyachtie

For those that have been looking for that drain on the bottom right side of the radiator and could not find it I discovered why, the newer versions of the rad does no longer have that stupid over engineered drain arrangement any longer that red plastic thingy in my situation decided to break off on me and in trying to get the broken pieces out I of course damaged the drain seal inside the radiator and thus the new plug I bought ($10 item) would no longer seal.


The threaded portion (head if you will ), was totally fused with the aluminum of the rad housing and very difficult to pry out.
Recommendation for those insisting on flushing that "lifetime" fluid, leave the drain alone and instead disconnect the lower rad hose or suck out the coolant with a flushing tool or maybe take that BMW lifetime gamble and leave it alone, I wish I had!!!!!

My old fluid looked as good as new.

So got the new rad today and installed it (does no longer have a drain capability), no drain with the replacement, my OEM P/N was 17117507972, which was replaced by 17117519209, which again was replaced by 17117585440.

KyleB

Tip to those that have this happen to them:

get a flat blade screwdriver that is slightly smaller than the opening in the radiator. heat the end of the screwdriver with a lighter to the point that it will melt plastic. press the screwdriver into the damaged plug. the goal is to turn that broken off drain plug into a easy to remove standard head screw. once you melt a nice slot into the damaged plug, simply unscrew it out of there.

ask me how i know this.

545iMike

Had the same thing happen. Got a buddy to aluminum weld the bottom of the T and threaded a Fomoto quick drain valve.

cmyachtie

DITTO... Now have a spare radiator if NE1 needs one let me know.