expansion tank exploded (literally)

[cheripie]

Okay, so after having some problems with fan blades and shroud and replacing both on my 1995 BMW 325i, my husband and I are driving on the freeway when all of a sudden we hear a very loud BOOM sound come from under the hood, followed by smoke. We pull over, my husband opens the hood and finds that the expansion tank has blown apart. Anybody ever heard of this happening?

Thanks
Cheripie

[Furious]

ive never heard of it, i assume you took it to a mechanic right? if so what did they say might have happened? some sort of blockage ? or did something hit it?

its a simple replacement but if the problem remains than it might be tougher than i expect.

[///M Power]

Thats very peculiar. keep us updated id like to know more about it!

[Dudesky_E36]

This happened to me over the summer, luckily it waited till I got in the driveway to explode. The plastic tank gets brittle over the years . . add a little pressure to a hairline crack, and wham! It also helps to replace the cap every so often to make sure the pressure relief valve works the way it's supposed to.

[bitcore]

This is the reason I hate plastic being used in high temperature (>90F) or any form of stresful applications other than covering something up to make it prity.

[///Matt]

Ouch! I've never heard about this happening before. I agree with bitcore, even though it's high quality plastic, it's still plastic and shouldn't be used where its around high-heat.

[Dudesky_E36]

Well, for what it's worth, I don't know any car manufacturer that uses anything other than plastic for their coolant expansion/reservoir tanks, regardless of whether it's a closed or open system. I always thought they were designed as such, so they give way before other more important and costlier cooling system parts.

Anyhoo, a new expansion tank is white in color. If yours has turned yellowish from age, you might wanna inspect it regularly, or replace it altogether.

[buuhh99]

Thats why u get a metal one of bimmerworld .com

[Torque]

Wow, I never thought it could just explode. :

Originally Posted by buuhh99

Thats why u get a metal one of bimmerworld .com

Would you please quit acting like some all-knowing prick ?

"That's why u get a metal one" ? The person probably will get it now, but you know, those of us who don't have parents that buy parts for our cars don't normally go out and replace parts, just because they might break.

You also said 'That's why you don't street race' in the thread about the one guy that died. Who the fuck are you to say that ? You crashed your car into a goddamned tree.

To say the least, I'm fuckin' sick of your posts.

/rant

[drz]

Originally Posted by Torque

Wow, I never thought it could just explode. :


Would you please quit acting like some all-knowing prick ?

"That's why u get a metal one" ? The person probably will get it now, but you know, those of us who don't have parents that buy parts for our cars don't normally go out and replace parts, just because they might break.

You also said 'That's why you don't street race' in the thread about the one guy that died. Who the fuck are you to say that ? You crashed your car into a goddamned tree.

To say the least, I'm fuckin' sick of your posts.

/rant

drz agrees: I still haven't spread enogh reputation points around, so I had to post.

[buuhh99]

ya ok the guy died, i am sorry for him and his family, but who cares about what i think about ithink i was making the poin that street racing is bad

[buuhh99]

Ill ask my dealship why your tank exploded maybe they can shed some light on your situation because explosion = not cool

[SD318is]

you'll ask your dealership.... so what, are you a lot boy? or are you talking about where you bought your car from? or wait... do your parents own a dealership??

[buuhh99]

i am a detailer, I know all of the mechanics, i will jsut ask them whne i go to work

[triggrhaapi]

Originally Posted by SD318is

you'll ask your dealership.... so what, are you a lot boy? or are you talking about where you bought your car from? or wait... do your parents own a dealership??

Them's mighty words for a guy who has 55 posts.