2011 F10 N52 Coolant Bleeding Air lock

Desmond · 05-01-2023, 05:21 PM

Hi Everyone,
New to the board.. New to me 2011 528i straight 6 no turbos. N52 engine.
Just bought the car - has 180k on it km.
Doing the basic maintenance.. and known issues.
Valve Cover gasket replacement ( oil leak) - also put in a new CCV valve.
New Spark plugs and oil-change.
Had a leak on the top radiator hose.
After changing, I re-filled coolant and waiting for electric bleeding.
I hear the motor going, but no stream of coolant in the expansion tank.
I can feel that the top hose has air. When I squeeze it, bubbles come out at the expansion tank.

There must be air lock, it's not bleeding properly.
What are my options? -
My only option it seems start the car with cap open at the expansion tank and just keep putting water?

Also, I noticed that there is a bleeder screw for this car, but I can not find it for the life of me. I searched everywhere. It's not at the expansion tank.

I also own a 2002 M-Sport 540i M62.. And I did the valley pan gasket for that. So I am not new to the issues.. but this one got me.

Thank you for your advice and help.
Desmond.

Desmond · 05-07-2023, 02:21 PM

Hi, It seems no one replied..
I did not find anyone experiencing this issue.
I did a vacuum test and it was not able to keep pressure..
My feeling is that the radiator is leaking..
hence the self bleeding procedure does not squirt coolant in the reservoir.

I am going to replace radiator and see if this solve the self bleeding issue.

05-01-2023, 05:21 PM	#1
Desmond Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 528i Join Date: May 2023 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	2011 F10 N52 Coolant Bleeding Air lock - Problems Hi Everyone, New to the board.. New to me 2011 528i straight 6 no turbos. N52 engine. Just bought the car - has 180k on it km. Doing the basic maintenance.. and known issues. Valve Cover gasket replacement ( oil leak) - also put in a new CCV valve. New Spark plugs and oil-change. Had a leak on the top radiator hose. After changing, I re-filled coolant and waiting for electric bleeding. I hear the motor going, but no stream of coolant in the expansion tank. I can feel that the top hose has air. When I squeeze it, bubbles come out at the expansion tank. There must be air lock, it's not bleeding properly. What are my options? - My only option it seems start the car with cap open at the expansion tank and just keep putting water? Also, I noticed that there is a bleeder screw for this car, but I can not find it for the life of me. I searched everywhere. It's not at the expansion tank. I also own a 2002 M-Sport 540i M62.. And I did the valley pan gasket for that. So I am not new to the issues.. but this one got me. Thank you for your advice and help. Desmond.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-07-2023, 02:21 PM	#2
Desmond Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 528i Join Date: May 2023 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Vacuum test Hi, It seems no one replied.. I did not find anyone experiencing this issue. I did a vacuum test and it was not able to keep pressure.. My feeling is that the radiator is leaking.. hence the self bleeding procedure does not squirt coolant in the reservoir. I am going to replace radiator and see if this solve the self bleeding issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote