Coolant Service

Coolant System Service

With our South Texas heat combined with German vehicles using mixed alloys, your BMW’s coolant system is critical to the longevity and performance of your vehicle. It works to keep the engine at the correct temperature by circulating fluid to transfer heat away from your engine's vital internal parts. This preventative maintenance should include inspection of all hoses, radiators, thermostat, expansion tank, water pump, fans, and fan clutch. To avoid the potentially disastrous overheated engine, this service should be performed every 60k miles or 5 years. 

The main components of a car's coolant system include:

Radiator: The radiator is part of the cooling system that plays a key role in keeping the engine at an optimal temperature. The hot coolant from the engine is pumped into one end of the radiator, the coolant is cooled as it passes through the radiator tubes, and the cooled coolant is then circulated back through the engine.

Water pump: The water pump is responsible for pumping the coolant mixture through the system. It is typically driven by a belt connected to the engine's crankshaft. The water pump is crucial to proper coolant flow through your BMW's engine and radiator. Without a water pump, the fluid in your BMW's cooling system wouldn't circulate, causing extreme hot spots within the engine and engine overheating. 

Thermostat: The thermostat is a temperature-controlled valve that regulates the flow of coolant from your engine through your radiator. It is designed to open when the engine reaches a certain temperature, allowing coolant to flow through the radiator and cool the engine. A properly functioning thermostat should adjust flow rate to ensure safe operating temperatures under all conditions. If a thermostat is stuck open (your engine is too cold), or if a thermostat is stuck closed (your engine is too hot), it must be replaced. 

Hoses: Hoses are used to carry the coolant mixture between the various components of the system. They are typically made of rubber or silicone and are designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressure of the coolant mixture.

Coolant reservoir: The coolant reservoir is a container that stores the coolant mixture and helps to maintain the proper level of coolant in the system. It is typically located near the radiator and is connected to the system by a hose.

There are several steps involved in servicing a car's coolant system, including:

Flushing the system: Over time, the coolant mixture can become contaminated with dirt and other contaminants, which can reduce its effectiveness. To remove these contaminants, the system should be flushed by removing the drain plug from the bottom of the radiator and allowing the coolant to drain out. Then, refill the system with a fresh OEM coolant.

Checking the hoses: The hoses that carry the coolant mixture through the system can become brittle and crack over time, which can cause leaks. Inspecting the hoses for signs of wear or damage and replacing any that are in poor condition is important.

Checking the radiator: The radiator should be inspected for signs of damage or leaks. If the radiator is damaged or leaking, it will need to be replaced.

Checking the thermostat: The thermostat is a temperature-controlled valve that regulates the flow of coolant through the system. It is important to ensure that the thermostat is functioning properly to prevent overheating. If the thermostat is not working correctly, it will need to be replaced.

Checking the water pump: The water pump is responsible for pumping the coolant through the system. It is important to ensure that the water pump is in good condition and functioning properly. If the water pump is damaged or not working correctly, it will need to be replaced.

By regularly servicing the coolant system in your high-performance vehicle, you can help to ensure that it is performing at its best and you can prevent issues such as overheating and catastrophic engine damage.