Pulled car in garage and radiator expired...

[MO525]

Talk about good luck!
Pulled into the garage and PSSSHHHHTT!
Glad that didn't happen out on the road!

The upper radiator hose nipple on the radiator basically "disintegrated" (for a lack of better terms).
It just gave way and cracked, allowing coolant onto the fan and begin slinging it all over.

Time for a radiator...and upper/lower hoses....thermostat and gasket....
Water pump looks/feels tight as well as fan clutch.

1. Do I REALLY have to remove the fan and clutch to get radiator out?
2. Couldn't I just release the shroud from the radiator and lay it back over the fan?
3. Then slide the radiator out...and the new one in?

That SOUNDS logical.

Any input from previous experience is GREATLY appreciated.

[dave b]

If you haven't done it yet, I would do a big time cooling system update:

1) All hoses
2) New radiator
3) New water pump
4) New t - stat and t - stat housing
5) New fan clutch
6) New fluids

Then cross the cooling system off as something to worry about and sleep well at night. It's really not a tough job at all, though it can be messy (although it soudns like you already drained the coolant).

[Super90]

Indeed, once one goes, they all follow suit. Ask me how I know! Just do them all every 75k mi. or so, and you'll be in good shape. Don't forget the heater hoses! Call BMA and they'll kit it all up for you. Patrick and Yves have saved my hide more than once!

[Anton CH.]

No need to remove the fan for radiator removal. Your logic seems correct.

[MO525]

No need to remove the fan for radiator removal. Your logic seems correct.


There's quite a mess of small hoses on the M50, isn't there.
Goodness.

I'll be calling BMA today, folks.

Thanks for all the input!

[George M]

that isn't a nest...its a cluster f#ck :-)
George

[Super90]

Get the 6mm Stahlwille hose clamp driver. It will save you lots of time, especially on the heater hoses!!!

[Gooch]

My water pump went on the MASS turnpike on a 95 degree day. Took 3 hours of stop and start to get home. Make sure you get the metal impeller pump. The pump is easy to change it out especially if you have the radiator and fan clutch removed.

[Tiger]

Strongly suggest you do the complete job too... Rad, hoses, pump, t-stat, t-stat housing, and all the clamps! I can't tell you how everything went one after another... rad, water pump, t-stat housing, heater hoses... augh... do it all for the peace of mind for the next 100,000 miles.

[Javier]

apply to 525i, wich is this case, and not to 535i / M30. Isn't it?

[MO525]

that isn't a nest...its a cluster f#ck :-)
George

[MO525]

Good heavens.
I have a radiator, w. pump, thermostat, upper/lower radiator hoses on the way. But no T-Stat housing.
Should I just check the one I have?
The other hoses were replaced at one point. They look VERY nice and feel even better. :)

[Tiger]

If you got plastic t-stat housing... it will fail... just the matter of time where it will start to leak at the seams... get the aluminum one for replacement.

[MO525]

If you got plastic t-stat housing... it will fail... just the matter of time where it will start to leak at the seams... get the aluminum one for replacement.

Gimme a break.

I'd sure hate to be some poor sap who takes their E34 to a shop for something like this (crapped-out radiator).
They'd walk away with a $1500 bill by the time it was over! :(

[Tiger]

I know... that is why it is best we fix it ourself... more fun! :))