This document provides instructions for changing the coolant in a BMW motorcycle cooling system. It describes draining the coolant from the radiator and expansion tank, filling the system using a filling adapter and compressor to create a vacuum, and bleeding air from the system. Safety warnings are given to take care around hot components and allow adequate cooling before working on the system. The process involves multiple steps of draining, filling, bleeding air, and checking coolant levels.

1. BMW-Motorrad
17 00 505 Changing coolant in the system (for maintenance)
Warning
Take care when working on the cooling system:
risk of burns if the system is hot.
Do not work on the cooling system until it has had
ample time to cool down.
Core activity
(-) Changing coolant
Draining all coolant from system
Removing on-board socket holder
Remove screws (1) from the on-board socket
holder.
Remove the on-board socket with holder and
disconnect plug (2).
Draining coolant from radiator
Precondition
Motorcycle supported on its side stand.
Warning
Take care when working on the cooling system:
risk of burns if the system is hot.
Do not work on the cooling system until it has had
ample time to cool down.
Place a suitable container underneath the radiator.
Open filler neck (1) at the top of the radiator.
Remove drain plug (2) and drain off the coolant.
Install drain plug (2) and filler cap (1).
Draining coolant from expansion tank
Close off coolant hoses (1) and (2) with hose
clamps (No. 13 3 010).
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2. BMW-Motorrad
Warning
Take care when working on the cooling system:
risk of burns if the system is hot.
Do not work on the cooling system until it has had
ample time to cool down.
Remove cap (1) from the expansion tank.
Disengage the expansion tank from its anchorage
(2).
Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
Installing on-board socket holder
Connect plug (2).
Hold the on-board socket with holder in position.
Install the on-board socket with screws (1).
Filling entire cooling system
Adding coolant
Precondition
Motorcycle supported on its side stand.
Seal off hose (1) with hose clamp (No. 13 3 010).
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3. BMW-Motorrad
Seal off hose (1) with hose clamp (No. 13 3 010).
Connecting radiator filler to cooling system
Precondition
The coolant canister must be higher than the
motorcycle's radiator.
Fill canister (No. 17 5 553) with an adequate
quantity of coolant.
Technical data
Coolant, total Coolant: 2.55 l
capacity 50 %
antifreeze,
50 %
water
Consumables/lubricants
Antifreeze
Connect distributor unit (No. 17 5 551), (No. 17 5
552), (No. 17 5 553), (No. 17 5 554) to the radiator
filler neck.
Put the end of the drain hose in a suitable
container.
Prepare the compressor.
Technical data
Pressure min 8 bar
Minimum
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4. BMW-Motorrad
requirement, Delivery min 125 l/min
compressor rate
Attention
Pressure surges could damage the pressure gauge
if you attempt to connect the compressor to the
distributor unit of the filler adapter with the
compressed-air valve open.
Make sure the valves are closed when you connect
the compressor to the distributor unit.
Connect the compressor.
Open the vacuum cock (on right on the distributor
unit)(No. 17 5 551).
A vacuum builds up in the system.
Evacuate the cooling system until the requisite
vacuum is established and the needle of the
pressure gauge is steady.
Technical data
Requisite min -0.8 bar
vacuum for
filling the
cooling
system
Slightly open the water cock (on the left on the
distributor unit)(No. 17 5 551).
Coolant is drawn in by vacuum from the tank.
Continue drawing in coolant until the hose to the
tank is full of bubble-free coolant.
Close the water cock.
Evacuate the system again until the requisite
vacuum is established and the needle of the
pressure gauge is steady.
Technical data
Requisite min -0.8 bar
vacuum for
filling the
cooling
system
Close the vacuum cock.
Disconnect the compressor.
Slowly open the water cock until it is fully open.
Coolant flows into the cooling system.
When the level of fluid in the tank ceases to drop
and the vacuum corresponds to ambient pressure,
bleed the cooling system:
Open bleed screw (2) in the water pump bypass.
Air escapes initially, then coolant.
Close bleed screw (2).
Connect the transparent hose to bleed screw (1) in
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5. BMW-Motorrad
the water pump.
Open bleed screw (1) in the water pump.
Air escapes initially, then coolant.
Do not close bleed screw (1)until the escaping
coolant is free of bubbles.
Disconnect the transparent hose.
Close the water cock.
Disconnecting filler adapter from radiator
Disconnect filler adapter (No. 17 5 551), (No. 17 5
552), (No. 17 5 553), (No. 17 5 554) from the
radiator and remove it from the motorcycle.
Fill the radiator to the bottom edge (arrow) of the
overflow bowl.
Close the radiator cap.
Remove hose clamp (No. 13 3 010) from hose (1).
Remove hose clamp (No. 13 3 010) from vapour
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6. BMW-Motorrad
discharge hose (1).
After a test run/trial ride, check the level of coolant
in the overflow bowl of the radiator.
Filling expansion tank
Top up the coolant to the specified level.
Technical data
Coolant, specified level Between
top and
bottom
edges on
level-
indicator
pin
Consumables/lubricants
Antifreeze
Remove hose clamps (No. 13 3 010) from coolant
hoses (1) and (2).
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