URGENT HELP with my E46...!!! More bad news...!!!

speeddemon

///Member
petrivanzyl said:
Coisman said:
Thanks guys.
It has a leak right at the cap, but under the cradle on the radiator. I will post a pic tomorrow of exactly where its leaking. I am at work, so cant post pics here, unless I can email the pic to someone and they post it. :dunno:

If you want...


The pic from Coisman:

Radiator1.jpg


He say this is a pic of the top of the radiator where the expansion tank fit, the leak is at the aluminum clamp on the radiotor


:bump:




Looks like a common problem on E46 radiators cause mine was leaking on the exact same place and a buddy of mine with a 318i too.
I was told that this can be fix by resealing and reclamping it but I opted too change my whole cooling system...
Good luck Cois and dont forget to bleed it properly when you replace the radiator:thumbs:
 
S

SP33DYV

Guest
Coisman said:
So Netercol Pm'ed me back, and can help me with a 2nd hand radiator he has. I think its off a 320d, so I'm not sure how it compares to my car?? :dunno:

AFAIK the 320d and 325i has the same radiator.

The easiest way to replace the radiator is to drop it to the bottom, but you'll need a lift do that.

Hope you get this sorted:thumbs:
 

ggrobler

Member
Coisman said:
Thanks guys. :thumb:

Abmi, yes, I start when cold, then open bleeder screw, fill till it spill.
Then close screw, drive for a few minutes, and stop, open cap, and top up if needed.

I do however think I have a small leak in the exspansion bottle, at the top, or one of my hoses are leaking, cause there is a little coolant on the top.

PS: Abmi, how do I blead it when hot without making the cap shoot off when I open it?? Or do I keep the cap off, and have the car idle till warm??

HELP ME GUYS!!! I Am Soooo clueless here!!! :cry:

Hi Coisman I'm a new guy on the form don't want to say i no what the problem is but had the same problem a year or two ago Do you water level drop in the expansion tank?. My expansion tank had a hair line crack in it. All is well in the morning but as soon as the temperature is at normal the crack opens up causing the level to drop and the low water level light comes on. The things is the leak is very small you have to real inspected the tank to see the fine mist (steam) coming out, change the expansion tank all problems sorted.
 

moranor@axis

///Member
Official Advertiser
ggrobler very common problem that... but Coisman already replaced this in the past so it is very unlightly that it would need replacing again so soon and the pressure test showed it was leaking from the radiator :(
 
S

SP33DYV

Guest
moranor@axis said:
ggrobler very common problem that... but Coisman already replaced this in the past so it is very unlightly that it would need replacing again so soon and the pressure test showed it was leaking from the radiator :(

The radiator leaking near the expansion tank return as illustrated above is also unfortunately a common problem.:thumbdo:
Too many plastic components.
 

Coisman

Administrator
Staff member
Ok, so I picked up the radiator from Netercol today, and it still has the expansion tank with cap attached. I filled it with water and looks ok. Will take it tomorrow and before we fit it pressure test it and check for leaks. Hopefully it is in a good enough condition that it doesn't leak...
...anyway, will see tomorrow, and if it doesn't work, then I will maar have to buy a new one.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
Coisy,

Sorry only see this now.

I use Tombo radiators for new radiators,

Prices range from about 650 to 950 there abouts, let me know if you dont come right, I should be able to get better prices then you can
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
not too sure.

WIll have to check,

But I have bought from them 5 rtimes over the last 2 months, including an aircon radiator for space86, and all results were good.

They were the only ones that could help me out with a rare aircon radiator for a piece of crap clio the other day, agents wanted 8k or something, paid 750 or there about, and it was a perfect fit.
 

Gizmo

Banned
I use Tombo too, they usually do the Behr replacement.:thumbs:

Almost every radiator I've replace on BMWs have had the same failing point. Its always around the water input where the water is hottest. It is another weak point in the cooling systems of BMWs. Why not have aluminium end tanks which don't fail, ever? Because BMW won't make money of selling new radiators :thumbdo:
Unfortunately you cannot fix the leak on the end tank as the seal has degraded and the aluminium fastening tabs that hold the end tank on will snap off if you re bend them. There is another fastening method used on the e39 radiator that can be re tanked though.

The 2 short radiators are e36 and e46, the long radiator is e39.
IMG_00931.jpg

IMG_00941.jpg


sorry for iphone pics.
 

Coisman

Administrator
Staff member
So took the radiator in to have it pressure tested. They can only get to it by 12:00. So yea, have to wait till then. The test is R150, and hopefully it will be fine. If not,then well,R1200forthe Behrat Goldwagen.
 

Raybimmer

New member
Suspense is killing us ...
I think most radiators these days use the aluminium tabs folded over the plastic expansion tank and they break when being bent open as Gizmo said ......all in the name of saving weight .:thumbdo:
 

Coisman

Administrator
Staff member
HI guys.
Sorry for taking so long to give an update. :facepalm:

So Silverton Radiators did the preasure test for free.... and no leaks!! :joy:
Took it to the mechanic to have it fitted, and we had to swop some parts around, but the radiator fits perfectly.
The mechanic told me to monitor it for leaks, cause with the warm water and preasure it might still start to leak, cause the rubbers on the inside are old.
They charged me R360 labour. :=):

So, THANK YOU to Netercol, for helping my with the radiator. :ty:
 
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