Coolant overflow tank options

[retrogrouch]

Ben and Co,

Great pics, write up, and ideas! I'll figure out something good. Honestly, I am doing this for an M Gremlin (M Coupe) and need to keep the air pump. I'll rig up something inspired by the Brain Trust here.

As always, I'm not worthy.

Many thanks

I'm not declaring this thread over and out, just saying thanks to all and I'll keep checking back.

Mike

[Tanks95]

what about access to the ECM? Does the relocation interfere?

[benaj]

I think I can but not sure without standing in front of the car right now. Either way, the way mine is mounted, I would only have to undo two bolts to swing the whole tank out of the way if I could not get the ECM out as it stands.

[Tanks95]

okay, sounds good.

Thanks

[94is]

what about access to the ECM? Does the relocation interfere?

I had no problem pulling my ECU with the tank mounted where it was. If anything the power distribution block would be more in the way.

[jcrist]

Coolant reservoir or overflow? I use a plastic apple juice bottle tie wrapped to a bracket in the engine bay for over flow. Sorry for the downer, but it's all you need.

[RacerX]

Coolant reservoir or overflow? I use a plastic apple juice bottle tie wrapped to a bracket in the engine bay for over flow. Sorry for the downer, but it's all you need.

They're talking about replacing the stock coolant reservoir, not an overflow. Many people upgrade to the later US M20 (AKA "euro") tank but some of us have gone to aftermarket aluminum. Then we all use a beer can or Red Line jug, or apple juice bottle for the overflow catch. ; )

Cheers.

[jcrist]

Yeah, I didn't read much of the thread at first, just the OP mentioning overflow. Did catch some of the aluminum part and I've seen some fancy verflow cans like that, even with bubble level indicators!!!!!! LOL!!!

[DaveAZ]

Specter325 mentioned this one: If you like the stock location, check it out: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1296020

It has a bung in it to retain the coolant level sensor. Canton units scare me because I'll never know if I need coolant until it is too late.

I'd really like an aluminum expansion tank that I can mount in the Euro location which has a bung to retain the factory coolant level sensor.

[DaveAZ]

I guess I should aim this at Terry Fair and Matteucci, since I'm quoting Terry throughout. I'm using the RealOEM.com TIS to figure out the part numbers required. (With the Europe checkbox checked, of course.)

I already have the 17111712641 (Euro) expansion tank with sensor and cap. (The cap matches the normal E36 2.0 bar cap.)

As for mounting, Matteucci used the Euro M3 factory mounting brackets, slips and tabs on the tank and added them to the US-spec E36 chassis. Pretty slick and 100% factory fit.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&fg=10&hl=89
The rear bracket is part# 41122256492
The front bracket is part# 41112491298
The plastic clip part that mounts to the front bracket is part# 17111719190 (shown below)

...the stock Euro M3 coolant line. Its a formed hard plastic, factory quality coolant line that fits the contours of the E36 chassis perfectly... Slip a rubber hose over the ends and connect to the nipples on your fabbed reservoir and radiator. Done. There are even factory clips and holes in the chassis that secure it along its route. You can see the plastic black tube running from the nipple at the...radiator neck, along the back of the radiator, curving behind the RF headlight, aiming back to the cowl, then turning right to the Euro M3 plastic reservoir location.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...02&hg=17&fg=05

(The TIS diagram shows the expansion tank facing backwards.)

In this exploded diagram, I think I need parts #17,18,19,20,21, 22, 23, 24 (and I already mentioned #25 above.) I don't see the part number for #21.
Are these the correct parts, and is #17 the hard plastic line that is formed to match the body contours?

Do you order these through a US dealer or a European dealer, or somewhere else?

[Fair]

Here's some pictures of what Matteucci used in the Alpha car when he added the Euro M3 coolant tank and hose:



We ran the car for 3.5 years and never once did it run hot. Here's the parts you need for this swap...

[DaveAZ]

Thanks! I just placed a 10 item dealer order @ Tisher.

[brisbolo]

so my coolant reservoir just cracked and started leaking.....this isnt a old reservoir tank either as i just changed it last year....i think im about done with the plastic reservoirs....Im looking into buying a aluminum coolant tank. im curious as if the one in this picture will work on my 325i

[conway]

so my coolant reservoir just cracked and started leaking.....this isnt a old reservoir tank either as i just changed it last year....i think im about done with the plastic reservoirs....Im looking into buying a aluminum coolant tank. im curious as if the one in this picture will work on my 325i

I've seen other people use this and mount it in the euro location. It's not a bolt on part, meaning it will require some ingenuity to make it work. If the outlet sizes are different you'll need adapters. You'll also need to either extend your hoses or buy longer ones, the second option is best. I'm going to go down a similar route soon, except with AN lines, and i'll post a detailed part list.

[brisbolo]

I've seen other people use this and mount it in the euro location. It's not a bolt on part, meaning it will require some ingenuity to make it work. If the outlet sizes are different you'll need adapters. You'll also need to either extend your hoses or buy longer ones, the second option is best. I'm going to go down a similar route soon, except with AN lines, and i'll post a detailed part list.

im thinking of having it bolted where the cruise control actuator is as i no longer have it....i deleted alot of thing in the engine bay when i installed a turbo....but im sure there will be plenty of room where the cruise control actuator used to be......also theres nomore stock air box there either

[930man]

worked out well all new fittings

[Tanks95]

worked out well all new fittings

nice engine bay

nice oak tree turn shot in the avatar

[bennyfizzle]

Use the strut bar, yo.

[osborni]

^ Very cool idea. Still laughing though. Took me a minute to find the fill cap.

[930man]

nice engine bay

nice oak tree turn shot in the avatar

thanks... finally all bugs gone

[scooper]

Informative thread thanks all! Question: I'm going to buy a z3 s54 radiator for my s50 but will keep the stock fan. Can I keep on using the stock coolant reservoir? I know the downside is that it is harder to bleed. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Gofast]

^ Very cool idea. Still laughing though. Took me a minute to find the fill cap.

Yeah, the Saab Sonett did it that way from the factory.

[bennyfizzle]

really?! very cool

[osborni]

Informative thread thanks all! Question: I'm going to buy a z3 s54 radiator for my s50 but will keep the stock fan. Can I keep on using the stock coolant reservoir? I know the downside is that it is harder to bleed. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

The e36 parts should fit right up to the z3 radiator. As far as I know the only real difference is the z3 has a smallish cut-out from the driver's side tank on the radiator. The s54 z3 radiator is supposedly the same part as the Euro e36 M3 radiator.

You won't know until you try. Worst case is you get a z3 shroud.

[fr2000]

So I've been working through some cooling issues on my '95 E36 M3. After replacing a radiator (cracked neck) I can't seem to get the air outta the system. I went with a Mishimoto rad, silicon hoses, new expansion tank/88Deg thermostat/Stewart water pump while I was at it. After a fully vacuumed filled system, it still shoots water out when at track temps. Heater blows hot, temp is middle on the street (even rush-hr) and for most of the track. Last laps it shoots out I think from the cap (water spray from top of bottle) and eventually temp gauge goes up.

I'll be wiring in an electric fan but I've been on the fence over the expansion tank. I've picked up the necessary hardware for the canton option shown in pics in previous post, just not sure if that's better for a dedicated track car or to go the E30 bottle route.

The last few track days I've seen a ton of E36 M3s all with rad side mounted expansion tank etc with no issue. One even had a radiator replaced track side (no issues for them as well).

I do plan on driving this car to and from the track and as a back up car. I'm not in any race group but am in open passing. Track temps have been in the mid-70s (laguna seca).

Thanks

So I've been working through some cooling issues on my '95 E36 M3. After replacing a radiator (cracked neck) I can't seem to get the air outta the system. I went with a Mishimoto rad, silicon hoses, new expansion tank/88Deg thermostat/Stewart water pump while I was at it. After a fully vacuumed filled system, it still shoots water out when at track temps. Heater blows hot, temp is middle on the street (even rush-hr) and for most of the track. Last laps it shoots out I think from the cap (water spray from top of bottle) and eventually temp gauge goes up.

I'll be wiring in an electric fan but I've been on the fence over the expansion tank. I've picked up the necessary hardware for the canton option shown in pics in previous post, just not sure if that's better for a dedicated track car or to go the E30 bottle route.

The last few track days I've seen a ton of E36 M3s all with rad side mounted expansion tank etc with no issue. One even had a radiator replaced track side (no issues for them as well).

I do plan on driving this car to and from the track and as a back up car. I'm not in any race group but am in open passing. Track temps have been in the mid-70s (laguna seca).

Thanks

Oh yea I do like the idea of being able to see the level with the E30 option. I kinda just don't get why the system doesn't bleed properly. Also, the car has had a leak down test & a test for hydro-carbon in the coolant, so I don't think its the HG.