Lost - M44 engine block coolant drain plug.

[jonco]

Well not quite lost more an embarrassing case of can't find it. -only plug I can find appears to be oil side.

Any pics or indications please? Didn't need it last time I changed coolant as stat and pump came out.

Cheers

 

[hard top]

Remembered reading this a while back @jonco ...

Unfortunately, a fluke created by the use of parts from the M3 make the job on the non-M 96-99 E36 vehicles a bit more difficult: the drain plug is blocked by one of the pre-catalyst oxygen sensors. I found it was not possible to remove the coolant drain bolt on the block without removing the oxygen sensor first.

For this reason I advocate draining the coolant only through the radiator drain plug for 96-99 vehicles. Further, given the fact that dousing an oxygen sensor with coolant is a sure way to destroy it, I strongly recommend removal of the oxygen sensor in any application where there is a risk spilling coolant on the sensor. If you have to remove the oxygen sensor as part of a coolant flush you may find my Oxygen Sensor DIY helpful.

LINK: https://www.dvatp.com/bmw/coolant_flush

 

[jonco]

Thanks @hard top I had found that one on a google search - but on the M44 (european) there is only one Oxygen sensor and it's underneath away from the block.

The TIS has a diagram showing it on the side casing alongside the crankshaft pulley on `all 4 pots'. Another article shows it again on all 4 pots between and below the manifold headers - presumably inlet but I'm damned if I can see it - let alone get to it.

 

[jonco]

Found it with car up on stands and assistance of this picture http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...d_Filling_Cooling_System/images_med/pic06.jpg

However, camera angle is mis-leading - you can get it out with either open jaw or ring spanner but getting it back in would be difficult to say the least, unless the car was up on a ramp. I've chickened out on this occasion!