Capacity Problem

[Hector]

Have drained and flushed my coolant system (E36 1997 323i) but can only seem to get approx. 8 litres back into the system. Have tried everything I can think of, bleeding etc

[C Sean Watts]

*Careful* you have a bubble somewhere and it could cause a hot spot in the head

Did you try parking facing a steep up hill or on ramps and turning on the heater wide open while topping off the coolant?


Also, what works for me is detaching one heater hose and finding a funnel that fits it snugly. Then adding coolant mix directly to it while slowly squeezing the radiator hoses. That will work out the bubbles in the heater core.

[tigersimon]

I always fill up with the concentration specified, but leave perhaps half a litre to one litre of water out. Then I give the car a short run to circulate and remove any air from the system. Let the car settle, and then see if it needs a top up. You could instead/also take the small extra water wwith you on the next trip - keep an eye on the temperature gauge, and top-up if necessary at a stop on the way.

[Hector]

Hi Guys thanks very much for the great advice. Just took the for a short spin; the temp gauge went normal postion slightly quicker than normal not very fast but! Any ideas, do you know of a way I can test the water pump without stripping it down?

[kevzep]

Fill it with heater on full, then run with the heater on full up to temp, park, let it cool and see what you need to put in.

[kevzep]

p.s just been reading my manual, it says 10.5 litres, is that what you expect? The heater matrix will take another two i reckon. These levels also refer to when the engine is cold.

[Hector]

Yeah, though I expected 10.5 litres included the matrix. Update: coolant level still at cold fill level mark. This is after the short spin I took it for yesterday and leaving it parked overnight on a slight incline (all I could find nearby). Also tried flexing (pumping action) the lower hoses. Hate to think what the neighbours are thinking.