Has Anyone Replaced A 540ia Radiator

[andymarshal]

i have just discovered that i have the dreaded radiator crack problem in my car, i wondered if anyone knew a diy fix for this or if i need a new rad, has anyone repaired their rad and it has been ok - its only a very small leak.

thanks
andy

[JohnnyK]

I have a "97" 540 and replaced my rad two years ago. In order to cut back on weight the rad is primarily made out of plastic, resulting in premature malfuntion. I don't think there is a proper way of repairing the unit therefore a new one will need to be purchased.

[CosmosBlack]

I have replaced 2, one on a 95 540 and one on a 2000 540.
It is not advisable to repair or fix a crack in your radiator.
You risk the pressure busting your radiator (especially in summer) and ruin your whole engine. I had only hairline cracks on both radiators and had to replace with new ones. Not worth the risk.

[TheHire]

I have had a hairline crack on my 92 525 radiator for almost a year now. The crack was not really big but it would leak the coolant slowly. So had to keep an eye on the level. I keep a can coolant in my trunk. top it off whenever low. Didnt really get low coolant warning that often.

Topping off was frequent in winter than summer or fall. And I always wondered WHY?? You would think the other way. But simple logic, you use heater during winter and that tends to expand the plastic and hence the crack. So more leak during winter than in summer.

I have been dogding that crack for long time now and I am afraid that it might get worse this winter. So looking for a radiatior and a radiator shop. Dealer price $ 766 including labor

Oh btw, you could put coupla 'antileak tablets' made by GM for hairline crack and works better than any other antileak stuff on market. This was suggested by my BMW dealer, when I showed him red flag for replacing radiator.

Or one simple way to fix the problem, "replace it"
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Best,
TheHire

[pamato]

Just Replace it. I just had mine done a month ago.


Paul

[andymarshal]

Originally posted by pamato@Nov 24 2004, 07:21 PM
Just Replace it. I just had mine done a month ago.


Paul

[snapback]236731[/snapback]

i got an email back from bmw

Dear Mr Marshal

Thank you for your recent e-mail communication dated November 21, 2004 with
regard to the radiator within your BMW vehicle.

We can confirm that BMW ensure that all of our components are constructed to
the highest build quality tolerances. With this being the case, we would
like to think that our customers experience fewer problems with our products
than they might with other brands. We were naturally concerned to hear of
the difficulties that you have been experiencing with your vehicle.

Please be advised that Service Departments of our dealerships are our
technical representatives and with this in mind, we would request that you
discuss your concerns with the Service Manager of your local BMW dealership.
The Service Manager will be in a position to inspect your vehicle and
address your concerns accordingly.

In closing, we are sorry that you have had cause to contact us under such
circumstances but remain confident that, upon discussion with the Service
Manager of your local BMW dealership, your concerns will be suitably
addressed.

Please be assured of our attention should the need arise at any stage in the
future.

Yours sincerely

Tom Nicolle
Customer Service Executive

BMW Group
Great Britain

Tel: 0870 5050 160
Fax: 0870 5050 205
Email: customer.service@bmw.co.uk



-----Original Message-----
From: AndyMarshal@aol.com [mailto:AndyMarshal@aol.com]
Sent: 21 November 2004 22:57
To: customer.service@bmw.co.uk
Subject: 1999 540 automatic


Hello, I have been the proud owner of a bmw 540 for the past few months and
have been very pleased ith performance and build quality. However i have
recently noticed a crack around the top section of the radiator which is
slowly leaking coolant.

My car has 64000 miles on the clock and a full bmw service hiatory, surely a
car of this calibre should not get trough a radiator at this age. Having
performed a search on the internet for this problem it seems to be a common
occurance on most e39's and is even considered on some web pages as a
"common fault".

Having considered bmw as a high quality car manufacturer, i find it hard to
beleive that this seems to be a common occurance especially on a low mileage
car with a full bmw service history.

I would like to know what bmw's position on this problem.

kind regards

Andrew Marshal

andymarshal@aol.com




Copyright material and/or confidential and/or privileged information may be contained in this e-mail and any attached documents. The material and information is intended for the use of the intended addressee only. If you are not the intended addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the intended addressee, you may not copy, disclose, distribute, disseminate or deliver it to anyone else or use it in any unauthorised manner or take or omit to take any action in reliance on it. To do so is prohibited and may be unlawful. The views expressed in this e-mail may not be official policy but the personal views of the originator. If you receive this e-mail in error, please advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software, or contact postmaster@bmwfin.com. Please also delete this e-mail and all documents attached immediately.
BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 01288537. Registered Offices : Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hants, RG27

[andymarshal]

just thought i would let you know i went to the dealers today for an oil service and to look at the rad, they contacted bmw who replaced the rad for free and i have to pay the stealer 120 pounds for fitting. The original price was 370 pounds, i tried http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ who i considerd buying one at 120 pounds and fitting it myself until bmw stepped in.

anyway well done bmw.

andy

[gmal]

Originally posted by andymarshal@Nov 25 2004, 03:03 PM
just thought i would let you know i went to the dealers today for an oil service and to look at the rad, they contacted bmw who replaced the rad for free and i have to pay the stealer 120 pounds for fitting. The original price was 370 pounds, i tried http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ who i considerd buying one at 120 pounds and fitting it myself until bmw stepped in.

anyway well done bmw.

andy

[snapback]237218[/snapback]

Looks like you had great luck with the rad!

To answer your earlier (first) question regarding the repair of the crack - it apepars a tough thing to do, and I would also advise against it.
My rad cracked after 72,000 Km, a small hairline crack at the neck, clearly visible and accessible. I tried to repair it - held for a day, then the crack continued to grow. Bit the bullet and replaced the rad rather than risk highway failure and added expense of towing or potential damage to the engine.

gmal

[Fangs]

Ressurecting an old thread, but at least I found it with the search function

My '02 540i (e39) radiator neck broke off last night and pissed all the fluid out - had to tow to dealer, who charged me $569 to replace.

Then I come home to check if its a chronic problem, and I see these posts (from two years ago) about BMW picking upt the cost. Has anyone had success recently with this?

[LOS]

Andy, you had the right idea.... You contacted BMW and stated your case with facts. Usually BMW will replace or charge half the price depending on the problem, being polite helps as well!

Good job!

LOS

[CosmosBlack]

I have to say you really did well with the radiator!
I have never heard of the radiator done free by BMWNA, you are the first that I've heard of!

I've had an engine replaced for free for the nikasil issue, LED pixels on the dash display replaced for free, but never radiators. I paid for 2 BMW radiators!

[dwemmer]

Originally Posted by Fangs

Ressurecting an old thread, but at least I found it with the search function

My '02 540i (e39) radiator neck broke off last night and pissed all the fluid out - had to tow to dealer, who charged me $569 to replace.

Then I come home to check if its a chronic problem, and I see these posts (from two years ago) about BMW picking upt the cost. Has anyone had success recently with this?

Just had the same thing happen to me! I drove in the driveway and saw steam coming from under the hood. The plastic radiator neck brock off and left about a half inch or so of neck to hook the hose on to.

I ordered a Behr radiator part #17111702969 off ebay for $145 including shpg. I also ordered the hoses off ebay and ordered misc. items from Autohaus. Total cost to replace radiator and hoses including fluids was about $225 US$ and about two hours work in the driveway. From what I'm reading the last couple of days I probably need to replace the water pump and thermastat as prevetive medicine as I have 197K on my 97 540i. I'm the thrid owner I don't see that it's ever been done from the records. Guess I got lucky!