Cooling System talk

[MTech]

Right now I have issues with my 318i E46 leaking water. In general I notice BMW owners worlwide complaining about their cooling systems.

I would like to know if the 6 cylinder engined BmW radiator holds more water than 4 cylinder radiators and will a 6 cylinder radiator fit my 318i.

The idea is to decrease the presure in the cooling system and cary more coolant thus prolonging the systems life.

Let me know

 

[P1000]

I don't think increasing cooling or coolant capacity will increase the life of the system. The plastic parts is the problem, and they deteriorate with age. Many have attributed the failure of these plastic parts to non-OEM coolant that deteriorates the plastic, so make sure to fill up with oem coolant, that will mean more than any other mods.

 

[freerider]

LOL, you havent thought this through very carefully have you? decreased pressure = lower boiling point, increased volume ≠ decreased pressure in a system that contains a non-compress-able liquid.

 

[2LV2]

Over-Cooling an engine can be very destructive :nono:

The greater surface area of the larger radiator will reduce the coolant temperature significantly.......

Engine oil is designed to operate in a very specific temperature range to provide optimum lubrication. Too cold and you wont get sufficient lubrication. The engine slowly disintegrates.....

Leave it stock, but do renew junctions and hoses. Not a difficult fix

 

[P1000]

Over-Cooling an engine can be very destructive :nono:

The greater surface area of the larger radiator will reduce the coolant temperature significantly.......

Engine oil is designed to operate in a very specific temperature range to provide optimum lubrication. Too cold and you wont get sufficient lubrication. The engine slowly disintegrates.....

Leave it stock, but do renew junctions and hoses. Not a difficult fix

Increasing the radiator size will not change engine or oil temp, it is the job of the thermostat to regulate the temp, so it should stay the same, unless it is defective.

 

[Peejay]

Best is to always use BMW coolant. Apparently it has special chemicals to prevent the plastic from corroding.

 

[Iceman007]

Best is to always use BMW coolant. Apparently it has special chemicals to prevent the plastic from corroding.

Change your coolant every 2 years. It becomes acidic and starts to eat plastic rubber and aluminium. I have seen BMW's with original BMW coolant that have not been changed and believe me it does not look good. So change your coolant every 2 years or 40-60k

 

[frikkieh]

Question is where exactly the leak(s) are. My expansion tank blew up. Then I found that the ageing radiator seals "relax". Got mine replaced from Silverton radiators. The electric fan is actually and electronic fan. I know some older models still use a mechanical slip type fan. Replaced mine for it was intermittend (sometimes it works, sometimes it does not). Which meant that sometimes the car overheats in traffic and some times not. Take care when bleeding the cooling system - there is a procedure for this on the net. Ever since - not a single cooling system issue.