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View Full Version : Autopsy of an E34's radiator



The Night Rider
10-19-2014, 11:25 PM
My E34's radiator had been leaking for some time from the expansion tank area and yesterday I finally got a used radiator in good condition. I thought someone might be interested in seeing the insides of the old radiator.
Note: some of you may have seen a similar thread by me in the E36 section. Just to let you know this is not the same radiator, it just so happened that both my bimmers needed new radiators.

Here's what it looked like out of the car. In case your wondering I didn't paint it black, the replacement I got was also black.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/540/gVO8U2.jpg

My car is cooled by human blood. I know its a bad thing since it means rust or maybe combustion fumes/oil in the coolant, but it doesn't bother me too much since its already done 300,000Km and I plan to change the engine sometime soon.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/745/anMYUw.jpg

Is pretty easy to open, like the E36 radiator.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x640q90/631/zZKJ5v.jpg

Despite all the dirt it has never overheated or risen past midway.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x640q90/908/LyhRmv.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/540/CGdhGh.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/661/fyeX3V.jpg

The expansion tank was stuck worse than my E36's radiator. One of the reasons why I didn't want to try my luck with just replacing the tank.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/480x640q90/905/rrxr3b.jpg

Broke trying to get it out
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/909/g3x2QO.jpg

Gave up trying to get the tank out and just took of the side.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/480x640q50/661/eA4dQV.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/661/Yn1laT.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/537/wScPLS.jpg

Another radiator ready for the metal recycling yard.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/661/XGYHML.jpg

shogun
10-19-2014, 11:39 PM
Great pics, thanks. Here some more from an E32 750 we disassembled to study, left side index >>click radiator
http://e32b12.blogspot.jp/search/label/Radiator
The new one we sent to a shop here in Japan to replace the plastic parts with metal/alu, see the pics of the modified one. But the mod was about the same as a new one in standard version.

The Night Rider
10-20-2014, 12:06 AM
Great pics, thanks. Here some more from an E32 750 we disassembled to study, left side index >>click radiator
http://e32b12.blogspot.jp/search/label/Radiator
The new one we sent to a shop here in Japan to replace the plastic parts with metal/alu, see the pics of the modified one. But the mod was about the same as a new one in standard version.

No problems. I'm guessing that the small separate unit inside is the automatic transmission cooler. I like the idea of a full aluminium radiator, I know that a brand new OEM product should last the same amount of time as the original one that came with the car, however, having quality and simplicity in the cooling system just feels better. Only question is wouldn't it be more cost effective to find a pre-made after market aluminum radiator instead of converting an OEM one?

Either way it looks nice. Thanks.

shogun
10-20-2014, 07:44 PM
For some models there are all alu radiators from the aftermarket, for example Mishimoto. And http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/ thet even have one for the E32 750 with integrated trans cooler, very good quality, but quality is not cheap, they cost $799
http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/screen/prod/store_code/6134/product_code/E32750AR.htm
But even they want parts from you delivered:"This radiator is built to order. We must have your existing radiator prior to construction as the internal tranmission oil cooler is not available separately."
So basically what the shop did here for us in Japan.