E39 540i Factory 6sp Manual - Question about cooling system

[S16]

Hey guys, calling all European/American 540 owners with the factory 6 speed manual transmission. I have a question that would seem quite simple, but have not had any luck in finding a definitive answer anywhere online.

Do factory manual cars have the transmission cooler (heat exchanger) between the bottom of the radiator and the water cooled alternator, or is this part omitted for the manual cars?

The reason I ask this question is because I have a factory auto car that has been converted to manual, as they never sold manual 540's here in Australia. The heat exchanger was still in place, it just had no transmission cooling lines connected to it when i bought the car, for whatever reason though when replacing my cooling hoses, I purchased a hose that did not have a connection from the thermostat to the heat exchanger, like the part i was replacing did. This leads me to believe factory manual cars did not have the heat exchanger. I don't mean to complicate this more than I should, I am simply wondering if the manuals came with the cooler or not.

Any advice, photos are much appreciated.

Cheers

[MotorMouth93]

You are correct, factory manual cars don’t have that heat exchanger.

[S16]

You are correct, factory manual cars don’t have that heat exchanger.

Good to hear, you wouldn't know the part number for the hose that goes from the bottom of the radiator to the back of the water cooled alternator? Can't find it anywhere on FCP, RealOEM, etc...

Cheers

[RosieE39]

Good to hear, you wouldn't know the part number for the hose that goes from the bottom of the radiator to the back of the water cooled alternator? Can't find it anywhere on FCP, RealOEM, etc...

Cheers

There is no such hose on a manual V8.
The radiator has a drain plug (17111712339) where the hose from the trans cooler on an auto goes in.
And there’s a blanking cap on the back of the alternator (11531436850).
Fit those 2 parts and you can remove the trans cooler and 2 hoses.

[S16]

There is no such hose on a manual V8.
The radiator has a drain plug (17111712339) where the hose from the trans cooler on an auto goes in.
And there’s a blanking cap on the back of the alternator (11531436850).
Fit those 2 parts and you can remove the trans cooler and 2 hoses.

Legend, info is much appreciated!

[ninetyseven1]

There is no such hose on a manual V8.
The radiator has a drain plug (17111712339) where the hose from the trans cooler on an auto goes in.
And there’s a blanking cap on the back of the alternator (11531436850).
Fit those 2 parts and you can remove the trans cooler and 2 hoses.

what trans cooler? i have a 97 540i automatic and I dont remember having to connect any coolant lines from the transmission to my radiator at all, however there is a trans cooler in front of the radiator with lines that run back to the trans.

[edjack]

You are correct, sir.

[RosieE39]

what trans cooler? i have a 97 540i automatic and I dont remember having to connect any coolant lines from the transmission to my radiator at all, however there is a trans cooler in front of the radiator with lines that run back to the trans.

M62TU (from 9/98) have a Heat Exchanger/Transmission Cooler attached to the bottom left of the Radiator.
As you’ve got a ‘97 and thus a M62 yours won’t have it.

[R Shaffner]

I've had 2 manual 540's, a '97 and '02. No transmission heat exchanger.

To compare parts for different models, try realoem.com. Info for e39s is under the Classic group.

[hrach1]

There is no such hose on a manual V8.
The radiator has a drain plug (17111712339) where the hose from the trans cooler on an auto goes in.
And there’s a blanking cap on the back of the alternator (11531436850).
Fit those 2 parts and you can remove the trans cooler and 2 hoses.

Hi
I understand this is an old thread and I am hoping somebody can help me cause I have the same dilemma as the OP.
I am in the process of converting my auto 540i wagon to manual and all of the posts I see says the same thing. Replace the hose from expansion tank to the water pump with a T-less straight hose and plug the alternator housing outlet. But if I do this, how the alternator housing coolant that still enters from the front top of the alternator housing would exit the alternator housing and circulate back to the radiator? I am really confused. Any help to clarify this would be greatly appreciated.

[E30m62boy]

Hi mate, did you find an answer to this?

- - - Updated - - -

Hi
I understand this is an old thread and I am hoping somebody can help me cause I have the same dilemma as the OP.
I am in the process of converting my auto 540i wagon to manual and all of the posts I see says the same thing. Replace the hose from expansion tank to the water pump with a T-less straight hose and plug the alternator housing outlet. But if I do this, how the alternator housing coolant that still enters from the front top of the alternator housing would exit the alternator housing and circulate back to the radiator? I am really confused. Any help to clarify this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi mate, did you find out?

[MotorMouth93]

The lower timing cover has an internal coolant passage connecting the bottom of the alternator water jacket to the water pump. You can see both ends of the passage in this photo.

[CPHES]

Look for how a 2003 manual 540 is setup. That is the configuration you need to copy

[JimLev]

What your probably looking for is blind plug for the back of the alternator (PN#11531436850). The auto uses this connection but the 6 speed doesn’t need it so the plug is required.