Removal of radiator....

[sigtwenty]

looks straight forward, but im having a problem getting it fully out of the car, it appears that the transmission cooler lines are in the way. do they have to be removed? if so, what can i plug them with so i dont loose any fluid?

[psjr]

They are kind of in the way, but with some patient wiggling you should be able to get it out without taking them off.

[sigtwenty]

Problem is that the AC lines on the passenger side are blocking me from getting enough clearance?

[psjr]

Try to clear the passenger side first, according to Ice's writeup. I don't remember how I've done it.

[sigtwenty]

What can I use to plug up the tranny lines? How much will come out? I may just pull them out, plug quick, remove radiator and then reinstall cooler lines.

[AlexDj]

It should just come up well push it toward the fan and pull up its just the plastic air ducts that won't let u pull it up freely but just pull it and it will come out
I was putting rubber mounts on yesterday with the fan shroud and everything on it just lifted it up And moved it toward the engine it was pain in the behind to get the driver one in but did it with our pulling radiator out.

[01740ISP]

I tried removing the radiator without the cooler lines and was not successful. Since you probably drained most of the fluid, not much should come out of those lines. Be ready with a pan/bucket and you should be alright.

This will give you the opportunity to replace the 2 seals for the cooler lines as well.

-Messan

[AlexDj]

I didn't unplug any tranny lines radiator should just come up its gonna be super tight in there but I just pulled it up and it came out.
Good luck

[redpicker]

What can I use to plug up the tranny lines? How much will come out? I may just pull them out, plug quick, remove radiator and then reinstall cooler lines.

I've always used golf tees. On occasion, I've taken a kinfe and whittled a plug from a handy twig, but golf tees are perfect.

rp

[sigtwenty]

I tried removing the radiator without the cooler lines and was not successful. Since you probably drained most of the fluid, not much should come out of those lines. Be ready with a pan/bucket and you should be alright.

This will give you the opportunity to replace the 2 seals for the cooler lines as well.

-Messan

Power steering has been drained not tranny. But I will replace the cooler line for the PS fluid to resivoir as it appears to be leaking now is a good of a time as any.

I've always used golf tees. On occasion, I've taken a kinfe and whittled a plug from a handy twig, but golf tees are perfect.

rp

Aren't they too small for the lines? Or did you tape them on to keep them sealed?

I didn't unplug any tranny lines radiator should just come up its gonna be super tight in there but I just pulled it up and it came out.
Good luck

Pulling up just hits the lines.

[SirReal63]

Wiggle it, twist it and pull it while holding your mouth just right. It comes out without taking any of the lines out.

[IcemanBHE]

It does.

[cbtech]

i gotta put my new rad in aswell,maybe this weekend if im lucky.i want to put my ae's in while i'm at it

[BMSman]

I was told u can remove the radiator without disconnecting the PS lines but on my 01 740i it was not possible. As the TIS says, disconnect the PS lines and catch the oil that drips out in a bucket below. I didn't bother trying to plug them - you will loose less than a quart of transmission oil. Its a good idea to replace the o ring on each hose before you reconnect them. After you do this the radiator will lift right out. There's so many plastic pieces under the hood it is not worth trying to squeeze it out and end up breaking something.

[SirReal63]

I was told u can remove the radiator without disconnecting the PS lines but on my 01 740i it was not possible. As the TIS says, disconnect the PS lines and catch the oil that drips out in a bucket below. You will loose less than a quart of transmission oil. Its a good idea to replace the o ring on each hose before you reconnect them. After you do this the radiator will lift right out.

Interesting, I did this on my 01 740i with zero hassles. I am 48 years old, had two herniated discs, one severely herniated and pressing on my spine. If I can do it, in the condition I was in when I did it, anyone can do it. :-)

[IcemanBHE]

Im 43 and retarded, and I did the write up in the DIY forum w/o doing this on a 01 740.....

[sigtwenty]

I'm 32 and no back issues but its catching on something. If it won't lose much fluid than I may just disconnect since I'm planning on a tranny filter change anyways so ill make sire I get a good plug in it so I don't lose too much so I can test drive it.

[Grantnz]

I'm 62, this is my first automatic and my first V8 and hope I dont have to do it for quite some time.

I have been tinkering with cars most of my adult life and have found that it is frequently quicker to do a bit more disassembly to keep the job moving.

Good luck!

[andsteve]

I'm 62, this is my first V8

I'm so sorry.

[AquilaBMW]

I have replaced radiators on both 740 (M60B40 & M62TUB44) and a 750 - I did not have to disconnect the PS lines. I removed the fan and clutch and the shroud and the radiator pretty much came right out. Of course you disconnect the coolant hoses.

[Trasportador]

I have replaced radiators on both 740 (M60B40 & M62TUB44) and a 750 - I did not have to disconnect the PS lines. I removed the fan and clutch and the shroud and the radiator pretty much came right out. Of course you disconnect the coolant hoses.

Exactly what Aquila said. Really easy. Hardest part is breaking the fan clutch bolt....

[sigtwenty]

I'm so sorry.

Lol. I was 17 when I had my first v8.

[BMSman]

Im 43 and retarded, and I did the write up in the DIY forum w/o doing this on a 01 740.....

Your car and my car are obviously different. I can assure you that if the radiator could have been removed without removing the PS lines I would have done so. Why do you suppose the BMW TIS says to disconnect the PS lines to remove the radiator? I was simply sharing my experience and didn't expect to be ridiculed for doing so. It takes all of 10 mins to disconnect the PS lines and reconnect them/top off the fluid.

As far as I'm concerned it is a lot like trying to replace the water pump with the aluminum tube in front of it - sure it can be done without removing the tube but removing it takes just a minute and makes the rest of the job so much easier.

[SirReal63]

Your car and my car are the same, I had no trouble and was crippled at the time. It doesn't lift straight out, it requires a twist and a turn and the new one went in easier than the old one came out. I understand everyone's skill level is different, but this wasn't hard.

[Retaks04]

u don't need to disconnect those hoses