[mecheng77]

Do I need to drain the radiator when changing the Mickey Mouse flange?

I will use hose clamp pliers on the hose, how much coolant will drain out of the block side?

Will putting the car on an incline / ramps help reduce the coolant flow from the block?

The coolant isn’t old and I don’t care if some coolant spills on the belt as it needs changing anyways.

[E93Dude]

You may spill some coolant, but no need to drain the whole radiator. Just top it off after you are done, and run the coolant bleed procedure and you’ll be fine.

[PcarFan]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Do I need to drain the radiator when changing the Mickey Mouse flange?

No.


I will use hose clamp pliers on the hose, how much coolant will drain out of the block side?


None from the block, a very small amount of coolant will come out of the hose that's attached to the flange



Will putting the car on an incline / ramps help reduce the coolant flow from the block?


I doubt it.


The coolant isnÂ’t old and I donÂ’t care if some coolant spills on the belt as it needs changing anyways.

Anytime you remove a coolant hose you will get air in the system, so I would bleed the cooling system once you put everything back together.
It`s a very simple procedure.

If your battery is old, I would hook up a battery tender before bleeding the system. It takes about 10-12 minutes to bleed the system.

Insert key in the key slot.
With your foot off the brake, push the start button twice, or until all light come on the dash. You don't want to start the car.
Turn both temp dials as high as they will go and put the fan on the lowest setting.
Sometimes when you open the door after you started the procedure it turns off. So you might have to start the procedure again.
Once the pump has run the cycle it will go quiet and you know your done.

Don`t forget that you might need to add coolant while you`re bleeding the system. You need to have the cap off the coolant tank while you`re bleeding the system to see if you need to add coolant.

[Suvorovo]

Someone on the forum mentioned that the Rein metal mickey mouse flange sucks. I recently installed it, no issues, but get the ECS one for a tighter fit. I believe that's the one he recommended.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by PcarFan

Anytime you remove a coolant hose you will get air in the system, so I would bleed the cooling system once you put everything back together.
It`s a very simple procedure.

If your battery is old, I would hook up a battery tender before bleeding the system. It takes about 10-12 minutes to bleed the system.

Insert key in the key slot.
With your foot off the brake, push the start button twice, or until all light come on the dash. You don't want to start the car.
Turn both temp dials as high as they will go and put the fan on the lowest setting.
Sometimes when you open the door after you started the procedure it turns off. So you might have to start the procedure again.
Once the pump has run the cycle it will go quiet and you know your done.

Don`t forget that you might need to add coolant while you`re bleeding the system. You need to have the cap off the coolant tank while you`re bleeding the system to see if you need to add coolant.

Correct, I’ve bled before but it sounds like I don’t have to do a drain

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

Someone on the forum mentioned that the Rein metal mickey mouse flange sucks. I recently installed it, no issues, but get the ECS one for a tighter fit. I believe that's the one he recommended.

What sucks about it?

I bought two one also for my m235i

[PcarFan]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Correct, I’ve bled before but it sounds like I don’t have to do a drain

No, you don`t have to drain the coolant. Very little coolant is going to come out when you change the mickey mouse flange.

The only time I drain the coolant is when I change the oil cooler gasket.

[PcarFan]

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

Someone on the forum mentioned that the Rein metal mickey mouse flange sucks. I recently installed it, no issues, but get the ECS one for a tighter fit. I believe that's the one he recommended.

I`ve never used the Rein flange. All of mine are Dorman, and they fit perfect.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

What sucks about it?

I bought two one also for my m235i

I think the only thing I read was that the O ring over time leaks but then you can just buy the factory O ring part. I have a Rein one to for over a year now and no issues.

You don't need to drain coolant but do be prepared for some to come out the hole.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

What sucks about it?

I bought two one also for my m235i

I have the Rein one and no issues.

Back in 2018, I used an ebay one before any of the big companies started making them. That one had a VERY snug fit and I could barely draw it in even with the bolts.

The Rein one I used on my current car drew in super easily so it's not as snug of a fit but mine hasn't had any leaks.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I think the only thing I read was that the O ring over time leaks but then you can just buy the factory O ring part. I have a Rein one to for over a year now and no issues.

You don't need to drain coolant but do be prepared for some to come out the hole.

That’s what she said lol

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

That’s what she said lol

I used the Rein one. No issues so far.

Just make sure you spit on it or otherwise lube it up. Don’t just stuff it in dry. You want to make sure the o-ring isn’t damaged when you insert it.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Just make sure you spit on it or otherwise lube it up. Don’t just stuff it in dry.

That's what she said pt 2 lol

But on a serious note, for sure good tip. This is how I broke my first O ring for this hose back in 2018.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

That's what she said pt 2 lol

But on a serious note, for sure good tip. This is how I broke my first O ring for this hose back in 2018.

Just the tip.




K sorry I’ll stop

[e91Owner]

Another tip… just disconnect the return pipe to the reservoir put it into a large, clean container and run the bleed cycle for a few minutes into the container. You won’t leak any coolant at all that way.

I used the rein flange/hose combo on both my n52s. Still going strong 3 years later. Put a little silicone spray on the fitting and slid right in.