S52 Lower Rad hose rubbing

[yinzerinmass]

Hi, anyone who's an expert on the S52 cooling system.. Have you noticed a tight clearance of the lower rad hose and the AC compressor? THeres a little ear off the compressor that holds an electrical connection that is making slight contact with my lower rad hose right by the elbow.

I was replacing an oxygen sensor last night and noticed the hose touching a little bit. The "protective netting" on the hose isn't going to be enough protection over the long run.

The hose is a Rein brand one, i'm thinking it is a little longer than the BMW original. I did the cooling system job about a year ago and used a Rein hose. Should I trim a little bit off the radiator side hose so i can slide it down the neck a little (an 1/8" would do it), or make a protective sheath as a buffer between the hose and that radiator tab? I don't see what either could harm.

Motor mounts are new and the rad mounts look to be good so I think all my hard components are sitting where they are supposed to be.

[zellamay]

When you changed out the hoses, how did the old compare with the new? ( Everyone always does that, right? ) Maybe buy, or at least look at, another one to compare. I'm tempted to say "cut it". You're right, it will do not harm, but you'd hate to be missing some other problem by doing that. You don't want to leave as-is.

[yinzerinmass]

Ya they looked identical when I matched them up, but if it is indeed like a 1/8" longer my eyeballing it wouldn't have picked that up because of the bends in the hose. The hose is the right one I'm just wondering if its just a touch long because of a manufacturing variation Rein Vs BMW.

I just noticed it by dumb luck yesterday I'm glad I didn't find it the hard way

[BimmerBreaker]

What is the piece coming off the compressor thats interfering? IIRC there shouldnt be anything sticking out the front of the compressor towards the hose

[gdavid]

How old are your motor mounts? If they are old and compressed, the motor tends to lean forward and make everything more compacted in that area. It is most notable at the top of the fan shroud but even at the bottom things get cramped. Check the clearance between the oil pan and subframe for a good reference. If they are close to touching, you need new mounts.

[yinzerinmass]

What is the piece coming off the compressor thats interfering? IIRC there shouldnt be anything sticking out the front of the compressor towards the hose

IMG_2316.jpg
This photo is looking down from where the windshied washer bottle (removed) sits. THe electrical connection sticks straight up and is bumping into the elbow in the hose as it goes up to the T-stat. The more i think of it the connector is only on a stamped piece of metal, that could be made to have a little more room between the two, they are barely making contact.

QUOTE=gdavid;30507789]How old are your motor mounts? If they are old and compressed, the motor tends to lean forward and make everything more compacted in that area. It is most notable at the top of the fan shroud but even at the bottom things get cramped. Check the clearance between the oil pan and subframe for a good reference. If they are close to touching, you need new mounts.[/QUOTE]

Motor mounts are brand new OEM corteco,

[Tim95M3]

I would just bend the bracket that the plug sits on. Not going to cause any harm...

[yinzerinmass]

I get the mechanochondriac award of the day. Tweaking the bracket a little did the trick