Broken Radiator Neck

[parryDoh]

Anyone know if the upper plastic neck on the drivers side is actually part of the radiator or a attachment to it? Its plastic is why i ask. Plastic radiator? My 93 325i 6cylinder overheated on the way home last night and this morning noticed it was broken.

Thanks

[jroberts312]

Are you talking about the white piece? This is called the expansion tank. It can be replaced separately. It is pretty tough to remove but can be done. When you remove it, make sure you check the radiator itself. I had a hairline crack in the radiator that made the expansion look as if it was leaking. Ended up having to replace the radiator.

[97alpineM3]

Depends on exactly what your speaking of... take a picture... point to it or something... and yes it has to deal with your radiator... if your car over heated... it was due to this... but a little more detail would help us help you...

Thanks and good luck,

Les

[parryDoh]

It was the upper neck on the radiator. I took it out this morning and found it much easier then I expected. Four screws to remove the cover, disconnect the sensors, remove the hoses and 2 top clips and it slides out.

This is a higher milage car, im wonder how much trouble it would be to go farther into replacing the thermostat and the pump. The fan looks tricky to remove to get to the thermostat. and the pump might be even harder.

[jroberts312]

You can replace the radiator and thermostat pretty easily. The pump would
require you to remove the belt and then pulley. Not too hard. If it is getting hot and the radiator is cracked, then that is all you need to do. I am not sure about your car but after I replaced mine, it still got hot. I thought it was the thermostat and replaced it. The car still was getting hot. After researching, I found out I had to bleed the radiator. There was air in it and it would not let coolant circulate.