Radiator Replacement - BMW Forum

jrhaile · 06-09-2004, 05:05 PM

I'm going to be replacing my damaged radiator this weekend and would like some advice from those of you who have done it before. Also does anyone have a step by step on how to do it? anything I should look out for while doing this? thanks in advanced...

Kevin325i · 06-09-2004, 10:48 PM

Fairly straight forward. Drain the coolant. Take the radiator off. Put the new one back on. Flush the coolant system. You're done.

Oh yeah, and if you've got the clutched fan (mine doesn't :P ) then you'll probably want to take it off to get a little more room to work.

Kevin

buuhh99 · 06-10-2004, 08:19 AM

do our radiators have a plastic core?

007ben · 06-10-2004, 09:49 AM

I think just the ends are plastic. core should be Aluminium.

CiscoKid · 06-10-2004, 09:50 AM

replacements are usually all aluminum

007ben · 06-10-2004, 09:59 AM

aftermarket are often all aluminum. oem still plastic/aluminium

jrhaile · 06-10-2004, 01:55 PM

Well pretty much got it all apart. pretty simple. Now I need to drain it and then pull it out tomorrow when my new one comes in. 139 for a new one. not bad..

007ben · 06-10-2004, 02:06 PM

where did ya get it?

jrhaile · 06-10-2004, 02:14 PM

ebay... this model sells for 200 on autowerks

http://stores.ebay.com/eEuroparts-com_W0QQ...genameZl2QQtZkm

that's the guys store. free shipping too.

007ben · 06-10-2004, 02:38 PM

I noticed ebay had them cheaper a coupel days ago my self. bavauto has them for around 200 as well.

Mine needs replacing as well. i just have a slow leak. and its mostly after/durring a "sprited" drive

dutchbmw · 06-10-2004, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 007ben@Jun 10 2004, 10:18 PM
I noticed ebay had them cheaper a coupel days ago my self. bavauto has them for around 200 as well.

Mine needs replacing as well. i just have a slow leak. and its mostly after/durring a "sprited" drive

Be careful with a leak. It's common that the engine get broken when it is out of coolant fluid!

007ben · 06-10-2004, 05:10 PM

It's never over heated on me. and I keep an eye on it. the OBC likes to tell me to check my coolant level.

BenRaty · 06-11-2004, 10:43 PM

One thing I found while changing mine was a small metal bracket that screws in on the underside of the radiator and the car frame. Nothing in the shop manual referenced it, and it was the trickiest part to get out (due to it's awkward position). Aside from that, it was quite straightforward and simple.