Damn Cooling System!

[jfranke]

hey guys, it's been a while, it was good to see some of you at the meet last weekend in Lake O'.

I have had the most annoying coolant leak. It started on the driver's side when my upper radiator hose sprung a leak and stranded me in Portland durring christmas. then moved to the passenger side when (I thought) my lower radiator hose was leaking, fixed that. Then it came back, turns out the thermostat housing had a crack in it, fixed that! then the driver's side came back, I though it was just the clamp on the radiator end of the hose, NOPE!:mad Today when I got to work, I popped the hood and there was a 2mm stream of coolant spraying out of the plastic part of my radiator underneath where the upper radiator hose connects to it on the driver's side.:mad

On a low budget, where should I go to get a new radiator? are they two piece? (plastic and Aluminum). I'm doing the work myself so is there a brand I should get (I don't want to spend a bunch on a "better" one).

Thanks for your help

[Whackamac]

These radiators are very similar to the mid 90's GM radiators. They are notorious for cracking at the top hose... Your best bet is to either get one new from a parts house, or find one from a really nice part out...

As far as brand, I like to stick oem on parts like this. But seeing you are in a 540, you may look at full aluminum radiator options if available... No more cracking.

[prash]

I don't know if its possible, but I'd suggest upgrading some of the pieces while your at it. Some of those hoses barely hang on by the hair on their chinny chin chin.

[jfranke]

Not too bad I guess, $250 for an aftermarket radiator. I don't have the money to upgrade, thanks for the responses though. I can't find my Bentley's how difficult is this change? I haven't done a radiator yet...

Thanks

[Gunslinger]

People buy Nissens or Behr - I think I used Behr. They are multipiece. It is not difficult, and you don't need a special thin wrench to get the fan clutch off, either - my adjustable worked fine.

[flyeryan]

Here's a Nissens for $194 from autohausaz.com, shipped. This is where I buy virtually all my parts from.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=jhu3es55nw0ggw555xo1d0as&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1012442@540I&year=1995&cid=16@Cooling%20System&gid=2172@Radiator

[flyeryan]

oh, not sure how it is on the V8s, but on my car the radiator is very simple to change. Almost no tools are required, just a screwdriver or two and maybe a pair of pliers. It's a good time to flush and refill your coolant too. Good luck.

[jfranke]

thanks guys, I got a nissen here in town for $250, I wanted it asap to prevent getting stranded as she is my only car. This will be the third coolant flush in two months ha ha, I think I'll have a pretty clean system :-)

[atl530i]

That's cool. I had the same issue with my t-stat housing. I do not know why BMW though it was a great idea to use plastic on that or for the water pump impeller. Live and learn I guess.

[dinanm60]

hahaha auxilery water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, water pump oh and then expansion tank by 155,000.

Have you ever tried patching a garden hose before?