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Thread: How often should OE radiator be replaced?

  1. #26
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    It just depends on the ambient environment is lives in, how much heat it sees all the time.
    ^^^^ that.

    Quote Originally Posted by gjVah View Post
    I've been through 5, they last anywhere from 500 to 10k miles. Funny thing is, the first 4 were Behr (the expensive OE option) my last one is Nissen (cheaper OE option) and is still in one piece (knock on wood).
    You are decidedly doing something wrong. I expect you are overfilling your expansion tank. A 540 run in Saudi Arabia should get more than 10k on a radiator.

    Quote Originally Posted by freethrowdunk View Post
    silicone tape*
    TOTALLY. That stuff is the mojo.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  2. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    ...



    TOTALLY. That stuff is the mojo.
    That's what I used to re-join the seat cables when I did the seat-twist fix.
    2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
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  3. #28
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    My original factory radiator lasted around 4 years, 55k miles. Since then, I preventively replaced with oem Behr radiator at 123k miles, then 223k miles. I replace along with all the other cooling system parts....expansion tank, cap, all hoses, thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, etc.

    As you can surmise by the posts, its a bit of a crap shoot. Time, ambient temperature, miles and heat cycles all come into play.
    Replacement can depend on what level of reliability you need as well. If a failure is not going to put you out badly, then drive on. If it would be a huge inconvenience, then consider preventive replacement, but be sure to replace the expansion tank, cap, and that elbow piece mentioned above, as it is ordered separately and will start leaking if not replaced with the radiator.
    Last edited by f355spider; 06-27-2017 at 02:04 PM.
    2001 540 M-Sport (cdn), ST X (KW) coilovers, H&R 15mm spacers, Eibach anti roll bars (28mm/18mm), Beastpower rear antiroll bar brackets, M5 rear chassis reinforcements (traction rods), Strong Strut front upper strut bar, Dinan Stage 1 software, factory M-Audio subs, Bavsound speaker upgrade, Bluebus bluetooth integration, Stop Tech SS brake lines, ATE coated brake rotors, ATE ceramic brake pads.

  4. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    TOTALLY. That stuff is the mojo.
    Among the list of many items that take residence in the modified spare tire well: hammer, assorted tools, zip-ties, knee pads, unopened OE coolant, jump starter/air compressor....


  5. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    You are decidedly doing something wrong. I expect you are overfilling your expansion tank. A 540 run in Saudi Arabia should get more than 10k on a radiator.
    My overflow valves are not clogged. The only thing different between the ones that didn't last and this one that seems to be doing it's job for years is the brand.

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