Busted hose!

[jcap]

So just a few minutes ago, I noticed smoke in my rearview mirror. I arrived at my destination and then could smell a tangy odor (which I've smelled before). THere was smoke coming from under the car as I opened the driver side door. I opened the hood and noticed a big gash in the hose connecting the engine block to the top of the radiator. Coolant splashed all over the place. Luckily, the car did not overheat.

Here's my question.....
Is this a do-it yourself job? Can I simply replace the hose and refill the coolant (water + antifreeze)? And then see if all is okay?

I would do this in a heartbeat on my Maxima or any other vehicle but the Bimmer scares me because of all the engine management. Am I being too paranoid?

I have a 98 540/6 with 95K.

Should I just go over to the auto parts store and get started?

Thanks,

Jon

[jnstrcklnd]

Yes. But be sure to bleed the radiator after adding coolant.

[jcap]

Thanks for the response.

I went to the auto parts store and the two hoses they gave me were too short and had a right angle. The hose I took off of the car looked more like an "s".
So I'm heading back there now to find out what the problem is.

By the way, what's the best way to bleed the radiator?

Thanks.

-Jon

[jnstrcklnd]

I know on my 525i, there is a little bleeder screw on the radiator right next to the coolant cap. I know there is a thread on this site somewhere that explains it. I will see if I can find it for you. Or you can probably find it in your owners manual if you have one.

[CosmosBlack]

I would strongly recommend you get a OEM hose.
If I'm not mistaken, there was a upper radiator hose upgrade in the service bulletin. I remember replacing both my upper hoses when there were trickling leaks around the joints.
I see it this way...if the original OEM hoses could be faulty and needed design upgrades, why would any brand hose work well? Even if they do, how reliable will they be?

Just my humble opinion, Good Luck!

[CosmosBlack]

Here you go, hope this helps:

[Eric S.]

Originally Posted by jcap

I would do this in a heartbeat on my Maxima or any other vehicle but the Bimmer scares me because of all the engine management. Am I being too paranoid?

I have a 98 540/6 with 95K.

Jon - You can do this! I went the opposite direction of you - I used to have a '99 540 6-speed and now have a 2003 Maxima 6-speed (long story). Anyway, I did all my own work on the 540, and I'd say it's as easy, if not easier, to work on than the Maxima.

Get that hose from the dealer. My local dealer was actually very reasonable on stuff like hoses and gaskets.

One big key is to make sure you go to the dealer and get the genuine BMW blue coolant. Accept no substitutes!

[Red_Rocket]

I would also recomend getting an OEM hose, they are made to fit, and installation is breeze, I figured this out when i changed my water pump and all that good stuff a couple of years ago

[jcap]

Thanks everyone. This was almost too easy.

I went to the dealer and got the OEM hose. BTW, OMG, the dealership was like a high-end fashion clothing store. Everyone dressed up in buttoned shirts and khaki pants, glass doors and walls, complimentary bottled water, bagels, espresso/cappuccino machine (the dispensing type) and talk about clean! And this was the service/parts dept.!! OK OK I digress......

Cosmos, that jpg was awesome. Do you have a PDF of that? And is it part of a larger file)?

I was a bit concerned about the bleeding and lifting the car but I found a sloped parkig lot that seemd to do the trick. The part took 5 minutes to replace and the coolant another 10. It beats paying a mechanic $100-150 for the job.

Now I just have to wipe the spilled coolant from the engine bay...

[CosmosBlack]

Yes jcap, it's a pdf page from a complete technical manual.

[jcap]

How/where can I get this manual?

[LOS]

jcap, you can always use the E34 manual as a reference. It's posted on the very top of this Forum.

LOS