1999 BMW 540i coolant level

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170-8
I Radiator and Cooling System
Common cooling system faults can be grouped into one of 4
categories:
Cooling system
lealts
Poor coolant circulation
Radiator cooling fan faults
Electrical/electronic faults
Cooling system inspection
- Check that coolant pump drive belt tensioner is functioning
properly and that belt tension is correct. Belt tensioner sys-
tems for the different models are shown in
020 Maintenance.
- Check condition of coolant pump drive belt.
- Checlc coolant hoses for cracks or softness. Checlc clamps
for looseness. Check coolant level and check for evidence of
coolant
lealts from engine.
- Check that radiator fins are not blocked with dirt or debris.
Clean radiator using low-pressure water or compressed air.
Blow outward, from engine side out.
- To check coolant pump:
Remove mechanical cooling fan. See Mechanical
(vis.
cous clutch) cooling fan, removing and installing.
Remove drive belt from coolant pump pulley. See
020
Maintenance.
Firmly grasp opposite sides of pulley and check for play in
all directions.
Spin pulley and check that shaft runs smoothly without
play.
NOTE-
The coolant provides lubrication for the pump shaft, so an oc-
casional drop of coolant
lealing from the pump is acceptable.
If coolant drips steadily from the vent hole, replace the pump.
- At normal engine operating temperature, cooling system is
pressurized. This raises boiling point of coolant.
Leaks may
prevent system from becoming pressurized. If visual evi-
dence is inconclusive, pressure test cooling system as de-
scribed later to help pinpoint hard-to-find leaks.
- If cooling system is full of coolant and holds pressure:
- Use an appropriate scan tool to interrogate engine control
module (ECM) for radiator fan or DME control circuit faults.
Checlc for loose or worn drive belt.
0 Test for failed thermostat or coolant pump impeller. Some
pumps may be fitted with plastic impellers.

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Radiator and Cooling System
Cooling system, bleeding
Trapped air in the cooling system can prevent proper coolant
circulation and overheating. Wheneverthe coolant is drained
and filled, bleed the cooling system to remove trapped air.
4 Loosen bleed screw (arrow) on radiator expansion tank.
- Set temperature controls in passenger compartment to full
warm, set blower to low setting and turn ignition to
ON posi-
tion (do not start engine).
CAUTIOIG
On late model cars with latent heat pump, do not turn ignition
to ON position.
- Slowly add coolanUdistilled water mixture to expansion tank
until it spills from bleed screw. When coolant spilling from
bleed screws is free of air bubbles, tighten screw and replace
cap on expansion tank.
Run engine until it reaches operating temperature,
- After engine has cooled, recheck coolant level.
Top up so that coolant level indicator is at MAX.
- If trapped air cannot be bled manually, pressure-bleed sys-
tem using cooling system pressure tester.
CA UTlON--
Always use genuine BMW coolant or its equivalent to avoid
the formation of harmful, clogging deposits
in the cooling sys-
tem.
Tightening torque
Radiator bleed screw to radiator 2.5 Nm (22 in-lb)
Mechanical (viscous clutch) cooling fan,
removing and installing
The procedure given here describes the removal of the me-
chanical fan and fan shroud. It is possible to remove the fan
without the shroud.
< Working at top of fan shroud:
Remove expansion tank bleed screw (arrow) and expan-
sion tank locking tabs.
Push top of expansion
tank toward engine and lift to free
from lower mounts.
- Remove two expansion rivets in upper corners of fan shroud.
Unclip expansion tank bleed hose located under shroud.

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. --
Radiator and Cooling system/
4 Pry out expansion rivets (A) on left and right side of fan
shroud. Loosen hose clamp
(6) and remove hose from ex-
pansion tank.
Remove expansion tank: Remove expansion tanlc cap, vent plug
(A) and tank retain-
ing clips (arrows).
Lift expansion
tanlc upward and off lower retaining lugs.
Push shroud back to expose expansion tank vent line. Re-
move line.
Using 32 mm wrench
(BMW special tool 11 5 040) on fan
clutch nut (arrow), turn wrench in a clockwise direction
(working from front of car) while counterholding pulley with
BMW special tool 11 5 030. Spin fan off coolant pump.
NOTE-
The radiator cooling fan nut (32 mrn wrench) has left-hand
threads.
Disconnect electrical harnesses from
AUC (air quality) sen-
sor and coolant level sensor.

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170-25
Radiator and Cooling system]
< Disconnect expansion tank:
Remove expansion tank bleed screw and support clip
(A)
Loosen hose clamp (6) and disconnect coolant hose from
expansion tank.
Disconnect harness connector from coolant level sensor
(C).
Push top of expansion tank toward engine and disconnect
bleed hose.
Lift expansion
tank to free it from lower mounts, then lift
straight up to remove.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Fill radiator and cooling system as described earlier. See
Coolant, draining and filling (6-cylinder models) or
Coolant, draining and filling
(V-8 models).