Replacing coolant tank and flush at 60K

E91 Hoarder · 09-27-2013, 04:03 PM

Need you advice guys.

So my 2007 335i is approaching 60K mark and I took it for the annual inspection at a local BMW indy shop. One of their suggestions was to flush and replace the cooling fluid and put a new tank.

"Replace expansion tank, drain and refill coolant, pressure test and inspect for leakage, read out engine control module fault memory, bleed cooling system following BMW procedures for vehicles with electric water pumps."

Total quote was for $415, including parts and labor.

There is no any problem with it currently, but at this age, they say, it may be contaminated and should be done as a preventative maintenance.

What are you thoughts on this?
To do or not to do?
If it ain't broken, should I fix it?
Can I DIY it?

Thanks!

Efthreeoh · 09-27-2013, 09:49 PM

My coolant tank is 7 years old with 228,000 miles on it. I did replace the coolant cap a few months ago, but that's it. It is a rotational or blow-molded plastic tank; not much to go wrong with it.

BKV122 · 09-27-2013, 09:57 PM

You can DIY. Id pass on the tank replacement unless it shows signs of wear. There should be a DIY about draining fluid and bleeding the system. If you want to flush he system than that's a little more work but a simple drain, refill, bleed is fine IMO

123Britt · 09-28-2013, 07:51 AM

It is definitely a DIY project --- however, my suggestion is to save the money to buy a new WP & Thermostat when you get 80k. Unless you have a leaking system now -- I would not replace tank until you do the bigger job.
.
I have 90k and just did the WP/THERMO a while back. The coolant change is easy but I did have to drop the IC (10 min job). Search is you friend. YOU CAN DO IT.

Efthreeoh · 09-28-2013, 08:04 AM

The coolant in these cars is good for 100K. I doubt the tank is "contaminated". If it was, than the rest of the system would be too and you'd have overheating issues (i.e. the radiator tubes would be clogged). Just drain and refill the coolant. There are DIYs for both the and N52 and N54 in the DIY section. The coolant drain and refill is very easy on the E90.

Chriztofor · 09-28-2013, 08:49 AM

Replace coolant tank?

Never go back to that shop again......never.

F32Fleet · 09-28-2013, 01:49 PM

Pre-E90 they were prone to splitting. So the shop isn't wrong per se, but the E90 cooling system seems to be more robust than those of the past.

E91 Hoarder · 09-28-2013, 09:31 PM

Thanks everybody for the input. My take is that the tank is more durable than in E46 gen, and most likely doesn't need the replacement. However the flush is a good thing to do.

Any suggestions on the coolant type and amount needed?

F32Fleet · 09-29-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

Thanks everybody for the input. My take is that the tank is more durable than in E46 gen, and most likely doesn't need the replacement. However the flush is a good thing to do.

Any suggestions on the coolant type and amount needed?

OEM. Cheap and easy to get.

Efthreeoh · 09-29-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

OEM. Cheap and easy to get.

+1. 1 gallon.

Wongway · 10-08-2013, 09:24 AM

Good to know.

I'm coming into an E90 from the X3 (E83) so much of what I'm used to is probably very similar to the E46 and my coolant tank split open a little after 100k miles. Not knowing any different, I probably would have had my coolant tank replaced, along with the water pump and thermostat around 90k miles to be sure.

(of course, doing this preventative maintenance is never a bad thing either)

09-27-2013, 04:03 PM	#1
E91 Hoarder Captain 140 Rep 895 Posts Drives: E91 AWD, E91 RWD, E90, X535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: On the Road iTrader: (8)	Replacing coolant tank and flush at 60K Need you advice guys. So my 2007 335i is approaching 60K mark and I took it for the annual inspection at a local BMW indy shop. One of their suggestions was to flush and replace the cooling fluid and put a new tank. "Replace expansion tank, drain and refill coolant, pressure test and inspect for leakage, read out engine control module fault memory, bleed cooling system following BMW procedures for vehicles with electric water pumps." Total quote was for $415, including parts and labor. There is no any problem with it currently, but at this age, they say, it may be contaminated and should be done as a preventative maintenance. What are you thoughts on this? To do or not to do? If it ain't broken, should I fix it? Can I DIY it? Thanks! __________________ "Let me see what I can do... sir" Last edited by E91 Hoarder; 09-28-2013 at 06:40 PM..
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09-27-2013, 09:49 PM	#2
Efthreeoh General 19156 Rep 19,708 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	My coolant tank is 7 years old with 228,000 miles on it. I did replace the coolant cap a few months ago, but that's it. It is a rotational or blow-molded plastic tank; not much to go wrong with it.
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09-27-2013, 09:57 PM	#3
BKV122 Major 47 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330xi [9.50]	You can DIY. Id pass on the tank replacement unless it shows signs of wear. There should be a DIY about draining fluid and bleeding the system. If you want to flush he system than that's a little more work but a simple drain, refill, bleed is fine IMO __________________ Monaco Blue 330xi - Terra Interior/6-MT/Sport/Premium/Cold/CSL's/M3 Spoiler Lip/Black Kidney's
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09-28-2013, 07:51 AM	#4
123Britt Captain 308 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 15 M235i AT; 2008 Z4 3.0Si MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Madison, Alabama iTrader: (0)	DIY It is definitely a DIY project --- however, my suggestion is to save the money to buy a new WP & Thermostat when you get 80k. Unless you have a leaking system now -- I would not replace tank until you do the bigger job. . I have 90k and just did the WP/THERMO a while back. The coolant change is easy but I did have to drop the IC (10 min job). Search is you friend. YOU CAN DO IT.
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09-28-2013, 08:04 AM	#5
Efthreeoh General 19156 Rep 19,708 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The coolant in these cars is good for 100K. I doubt the tank is "contaminated". If it was, than the rest of the system would be too and you'd have overheating issues (i.e. the radiator tubes would be clogged). Just drain and refill the coolant. There are DIYs for both the and N52 and N54 in the DIY section. The coolant drain and refill is very easy on the E90.
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09-28-2013, 08:49 AM	#6
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Replace coolant tank? Never go back to that shop again......never. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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09-28-2013, 01:49 PM	#7
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3908 Rep 10,606 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Pre-E90 they were prone to splitting. So the shop isn't wrong per se, but the E90 cooling system seems to be more robust than those of the past.
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09-28-2013, 09:31 PM	#8
E91 Hoarder Captain 140 Rep 895 Posts Drives: E91 AWD, E91 RWD, E90, X535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: On the Road iTrader: (8)	Thanks everybody for the input. My take is that the tank is more durable than in E46 gen, and most likely doesn't need the replacement. However the flush is a good thing to do. Any suggestions on the coolant type and amount needed? __________________ "Let me see what I can do... sir"
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10-08-2013, 09:24 AM	#11
Wongway Captain 29 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 328i xdrive Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Good to know. I'm coming into an E90 from the X3 (E83) so much of what I'm used to is probably very similar to the E46 and my coolant tank split open a little after 100k miles. Not knowing any different, I probably would have had my coolant tank replaced, along with the water pump and thermostat around 90k miles to be sure. (of course, doing this preventative maintenance is never a bad thing either)
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