No coolant coming out of block

[brandondan1]

Just flushed and bled the coolant system today with the help of jw_325ic, because its been acting weird. When I took out the block drain plug, NO coolant came out, even with the car running. Is that normal?

Also, the drain plug was only about an half inch long, and at the end it looked almost as if it was chipped off. I dunno, maybe part of the thread is stuck in the block..

Anyone know why this would happen?

[Wishno87]

the plug is just really short, i pulled mine yesterday. when i did it though coolent shot out sidways and got everywhere though. try unscrewing the overflow bottle cap

[brandondan1]

Thanks for the suggestion

I took the cap off, opened the bleed screw, and let the car run. While it helped to drain coolant from the radiator, the block remained bone dry.

[golde30]

that is umm, strange. you sure you're taking off the rite bolt? did you stick anything into the opening to make sure its not blocked?

[bmwpower]

pict of bolt?

When was the last time you drained it? Sludge in the bottom of your block keeping it from draining?

[rcko]

The bolt is short and I think it uses a 19mm socket? It is kinda aft on the block by the #5 or #6 cylinder.

It should shoot out coolant quite forcefully.

[Jean]

Yep, it would probably take a pretty thick layer of sludge too..

Mine started leaking coolant out of the block w/o much effort at all, looking up the passenger side..

[JasonC]

that is umm, strange. you sure you're taking off the rite bolt? did you stick anything into the opening to make sure its not blocked?

What he said..

[Massive Lee]

19mm? I am sure it is not the drain bolt as it is smaller. The drain plug is located on the passenger side and has disastrous effects when getting loose. It is very short too.

[brandondan1]

wow, thanks for all of the replies.

I suppose it 'could' be the wrong bolt, but it is 19mm, located on the passenger side of the block, is very short, and I followed the description of my bently manual. I don't know why there would just be a random 19mm bolt on the block not holding anything up. I did this job last year and it drained fine :(.

I guess there could be a shitload of sludge or something blocking it, but now that the system is full(as full as I could get it), I'll try to just loosen it alone, start up the car, and see if anything comes out. If not, I'll stick something inside it and see what that does.

Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning.

[NOMAD]

So how did it go?

I had coolant and head issues and mine was dry when I opened it up yesterday. The only fluid that came out was from the rad.

[HST]

how much coolent / water did it take to fill it up?

[brandondan1]

It took about a gallon to fill it up, (one of those prestone 50/50 bottles). I haven't had a chance to troubleshoot it yet. My jack crapped out on me, so I can't lift the car until I get a new one. =/

Did you try sticking something in the hole?

[Teaguer]

Did you try sticking something in the hole?

Haha . :D

[NOMAD]

Try pouring the water in through the upper radiator hose so it goes right into the block. I fille dthis up with a gallon or so, then installe dthe hose to rad and filled up the rad with half gallon till it came out the purge hole.