540i/6 cooling problem

[633cs i]

It was a very hot day out yesterday, close to 100f. I ran in to get a hair cut while a buddy sat in the car and waited with the A/C on. when i came out i noticed that the car was off. i asked why he turned it of and he told me it DINGED and said coolant temp on the dash so he turned it off. i started the car the temp needle was a bit over the noon mark. as soon as i drove off a heard a lout pop and a bunch of white smoke from the hood. the temp needle flew into the red area and i turned the car off right away and pushed it back into a parking spot.

found that the plastic part on the radiator where the top rad hose clamps fully busted and the hose was just hanging there. so im thinking that the coolant got so hot it made the plastic bust?

the car has 60k on it and i dont think the water pump/therm were ever changed, or the fan clutch. i got a new rad on the way but starting to think that i should replace the fan,water pump/therm?

does the water pump give out after 60k? i just dont want to change more than i have to. since a radiator replacment is quick. i just know the car shold not over heat even sitting there in high heat.

[jehu]

How long was it idling?

if you're doing the work yourself why not replace the WP while the rad is out? I am under the impression the originals used a Plastic Impeller which I"ve read can break... 60,000 doesn't sound like a lot but 17 years does.

Should not ilde this car..

[prash]

ya the OE rads are known to bust at the neck where the hoses clamp on. happens all the time.

[633cs i]

the car was idleing for about 20min.

i suppose i might aswell replace it all.

i dont ever idle my car but my buddy was in it and it was really hot out so....

[MazDuh]

This is notorious for happening on E34's. Most people get a new Radiator every 3-4 years. having 3 of these cars i keep one in stock at all times lol. I would replace ALL wear items in the cooling system. The fastest thing to kill a motor is heat. Heat is caused by a failing cooling system component(most of the time). and Heat kills cooling system components. You have 2 things riding upon one set of parts. At 60k and 17 years old, spend some coin and do the water pump, thermostat, hoses and radiator. The fan clutch you'll be able to tell if its good or not by feel. I don't think they're THAT expensive new though. Ain't worth the risk, if you're in there why reinstall a used part?
-Eric

[633cs i]

sounds good, what brand water pump should i go with?

[jehu]

Graf

[633cs i]

ok i just bout got everything done but i forgot to order up the fan clutch but i will be doing that tomorrow.

but i didnt do the rear o-rings that are under the manifold. i would really like to do these but i dont want to take the manifolds apart because knowing me i would end up replacing alot of gaskets and what not. witch i dont want to do at the moment because im have a e21 to build.

so can i get to those rear o-rings that the metal tubes connect to in the rear with the manifold on? and would i have to take the water pump out again to get the end of the pipe out?


thanks

[Layne]

Maybe it's just a texas thing, but idling a BMW with the a/c on is absolutely verboten. Even the best car would be destroyed within 10 minutes.

[633cs i]

yea i shouldnt have done it, and like i said i dont do it at all.

what do you guys have to say about the 0-rings?

thanks

[Layne]

so can i get to those rear o-rings that the metal tubes connect to in the rear with the manifold on?
and would i have to take the water pump out again to get the end of the pipe out?

I wouldn't bother trying. You'll have to replace the manifold gaskets at some point, just wait until then.
You have to either remove the water pump, or the rear water manifold. Not sure which one is easier.

[jehu]

I don't even idle when I start up cold... I drive it right off just keeping it below 2 k till its out of the blue.. next time have him come in and wait or find a cooller place to pass the time like a Mall..

[Sneezy]

yea i shouldnt have done it, and like i said i dont do it at all.

what do you guys have to say about the 0-rings?

thanks

Don't mess with them unless you are prepared to go all the way down to the valley pan, in my opinion.

[Shoomakan]

More importantly here.. Only 60,000 miles? That's fantastic.

I'd change the radiator, clips, water pump and fan clutch if they haven't been done already. They all fail on E34s one way or another.

[633cs i]

thanks for the input guys, yea i said what the hell and replaced most of the cooling sept the hoses since they looked to be in good condition.

water pump with new o-rings on the water pump side.
thermostat.
fan clutch.
radiator.
2 gallons of BMW coolant and one gallon of distilled water.

back on the road
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yea lucked out and swooped this thing up last fall.had the block recall at 30,000k(traded my rx-8 for it haha)
it did need basicly all new suspension since more of the rubber was dry.

LOving it so far!