E46 320 - Cooling system disaster

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Last week the cooling system on the E46 320 decided it had enough of its life and imploded. Luckily it was around the corner from home so after waiting for it to cool down sufficiently, it limped home.

Suspect that the water pump ceased and here's the results

Also noticed the radiator top hose was discolored and I suspect close to failure

So I have stripped most of the parts off the car. Just need to get the oil transmission cooler free from the radiator mount and then the radiator can come off

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Parts list for the work

Radiator

Water pump

Water pump pulley

Viscous

Fan blade

Fan shroud

Serpentine belt

Radiator top hose

Anti Freeze

Will also replace the 2 belt tensioners whilst at it and considering changing to an electric fan but need to do more research on that.

Sankekur · Sep 15, 2013

Might be a good idea to also replace the expansion tank and lower radiator hose, as you will be removing them in any case.

I have to say that is a pretty spectacular viscous fan and waterpump failure, glad you where close to home when it happened.
Is it still the original waterpump?

It might be worthwhile to swap to the electric fan used on the manual e46's....pretty potent fan.

Oh and remember to replace the coolant only with a 50/50 mix of BMW coolant and distilled water.

Andrew · Sep 15, 2013

I would also look at replacing the transmission oil cooler .... The membranes inside are extremely fragile and the last thing you need is your fresh coolant running through the gearbox. If I recall a new one costs around R800

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Thanks Sankekur. Will add the expansion tank and lower radiator hose to the shopping list :thumbs:

Unfortunately it is not the original water pump. It was changed some 18 months ago with an aftermarket pump. Won't be making that foolish mistake again :fishwack:

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Andrew said:
I would also look at replacing the transmission oil cooler .... The membranes inside are extremely fragile and the last thing you need is your fresh coolant running through the gearbox. If I recall a new one costs around R800

Thanks Andrew. Will look at that option as well

Sankekur · Sep 15, 2013

PrevanP said:
Unfortunately it is not the original water pump. It was changed some 18 months ago with an aftermarket pump. Won't be making that foolish mistake again :fishwack:

Hmmm. That is rather shocking, seeing as it looks (from the pic at least) that the whole shaft sheared off.
Have you removed the pump from the block yet? Is there damage on the inside?

Do you know what brand pump it is or where it was bought (not witch hunting, would just be interesting to know)

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Sankekur said:
PrevanP said:

Unfortunately it is not the original water pump. It was changed some 18 months ago with an aftermarket pump. Won't be making that foolish mistake again :fishwack:

Click to expand...

Hmmm. That is rather shocking, seeing as it looks (from the pic at least) that the whole shaft sheared off.
Have you removed the pump from the block yet? Is there damage on the inside?

Do you know what brand pump it is or where it was bought (not witch hunting, would just be interesting to know)

The shaft did shear off on the outside but inside where the metal impeller is all good. I removed the water pump last night with Kish2604 help. Don't know what brand but it was bought at a well known local spares shop that supposedly specialises in BMW parts. Needless to say I won't ever buy anything from that shop again.

sash · Sep 15, 2013

Andrew said:
I would also look at replacing the transmission oil cooler .... The membranes inside are extremely fragile and the last thing you need is your fresh coolant running through the gearbox. If I recall a new one costs around R800

BMW has the cooler at 1500, you can slightly cheaper ones from places like Silverton radiators .

S1NGH 001 · Sep 15, 2013

Sorry Prev :thumbdo:

It's gonna be a heavy bill, I overhauled the cooling system on my E39 a year back, give me a shout if you need any assistance :thumbs:

Prev · Sep 15, 2013

Thanks Singh. Will have to get it done despite the heavy cost

Jamaine · Sep 17, 2013

Yor bru that's heavy sorry to hear need any help give me a shout im good at passing tools :rollsmile:

Prev · Sep 17, 2013

Got a BEHR radiator from Silverton for R1596 incl.

From BMW: prices excl VAT
Water pump R1355.26
Water pump pulley R428.43
Serpentine belt R425.85
Top radiator hose R555.59
Lower radiator hose R448.19
Expansion Tank R1281.48
Fan blade R850.08
Fan clutch aka viscous R2323.79
Fan Shroud R401.24
BMW anti freeze R61.94

:argh:

time to apply for another bond at the bank

samman325 · Sep 17, 2013

Sorry to hear about the explosion under your bonnet. Same thing happened to my brother as well on his 330i.

I have a fan blade thats available (think its original bmw but can confirm if you interested).

I opted to use the fan blade traditionally found on the e36 325tds which has the outer rim as well holding the blades intact.

Prev · Sep 18, 2013

samman325 said:
Sorry to hear about the explosion under your bonnet. Same thing happened to my brother as well on his 330i.

I have a fan blade thats available (think its original bmw but can confirm if you interested).

I opted to use the fan blade traditionally found on the e36 325tds which has the outer rim as well holding the blades intact.

Thanks Bud. Will let you know on that.

At this point I have only purchased the following items
Radiator
Water pump
water pump pulley
serpentine belt
top radiator hose
anti freeze

Going to reuse the bottom radiator hose and expansion tank for now as those still appear good. Will change them down the line not to far from now.

Strongly considering installing a BEHR electric fan at R2300 as apposed to the BMW supplied fan clutch, blade and shroud for R3450 or BMW supplied electric fan for R6300 :argh:

Peejay · Sep 18, 2013

Hmmm. Tuned in. Please take plenty of pics.

Kyle · Sep 18, 2013

similar thing happened to my 320i, but on new years day

Shout if you need help :thumbs:

Prev · Sep 18, 2013

KyleNaidoo said:
similar thing happened to my 320i, but on new years day

Shout if you need help :thumbs:

Thanks bud. Most of the old stuff is off. Just need to pop the expansion tank off (easier said than done) and then the old radiator can come off. Then all the other stuff can go on.

Prev · Sep 18, 2013

Heven said:
Hmmm. Tuned in. Please take plenty of pics.

Haven't taken any pics of the removal process but will take of the fitment process. That area has a lot of dirt, oil and grease build up from the time when the cam over gasket was leaking and the power steering oil tank sweating. so hands are way too filthy to take pics. Does any know how to stop the power steering tank sweat?

Will be getting a few bottles of degreaser and giving the area a good cleaning.

Prev · Sep 18, 2013

BTW BMW has a core charge on the water pump if do not return the old pump to them. Apparently the recondition the old pumps. Now although the pump that failed this time was an aftermarket pump, luckily I still had the OEM pump that was previously removed. BMW will be shocked to see what that looks like as it has been standing outside for past 18 months :biglol:

E46 320 - Cooling system disaster

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