this radiator is going to cause me to go bald

[PhilipJCaputo]

I'm just about to start pulling my hair out, trying everything I can think of, and replacing the radiator is now my last resort....

I went on a 1200 mile trip this last weekend, and although there was a small leak, it wasn't very much, now it just seems to have become 100 fold worse....

Is there some kind of way to check for blockages or something?? I don't want to put my new radiator in, and have it blow up becuase of some blockage which causes excess pressure to build up.

Is it common for a radiator to develop cracks?

[Tiger]

Very common for plastic to crack on radiator after 9 years.

[Springfield1952]

My radiator leak went from a trickle to a geyser overnight. It started as a small leak on the top connection that I ignored for about 2 weeks and then suddenly it failed. It seems to be the nature of the beast for these radiators with plastic tanks.

Curt.
1994 530iT

[1992 BMW 535i]

Have you tried flushing it? Where's the leak coming from?

[PhilipJCaputo]

Have you tried flushing it? Where's the leak coming from?

best as I can tell, the leak is coming from here. Small plug looking thing. Someone suggested to slap some JB weld around that area, which I did, but it still managed to find its way through.... I think I'll slap on another round of jbweld tonight, and I'll put it on extra thick!

[Mr Project]

Source might also be that nipple that the small hose is clamped to in the top of your picture. Very common for those to crack as well.

I guess if you need a temporary fix, the JBWeld is worth a try, but I'd call BMA today. It's not worth messing around with a cracked radiator... replace it!! Sooo much cheaper than a good M60 longblock!!!!

[Tiger]

Look you got an original radiator... just change it. Mine went about that same time... a little bit earlier.

[PhilipJCaputo]

I've checked the nipple for leaks, and don't see any coming from there. It stays dry....

Here is what I've got from BMA for radiators

Radiator - Manual transmission - from prod. date 6/94 on - 17 11 1 702 453
- OE Behr - $310.00
- NRF - L&R (OE Manufacturer) - $252.00
- Nissens (made in Denmark) - $195.00

I'm leaning for hte middle of the road.... but for 57 bucks less... why not go on the low end????

[Springfield1952]

I'm a big time believer in BMA and they are a great place to get parts. That being said, I recently bought a radiator for my daughter's Miata from www.radiators.com. They had a great price, a real easy to use web based question and answer feature and they delivered the radiator to my door the next morning on a Saturday. Good luck.

Curt.
1994 530iT

[PhilipJCaputo]

Cool interactive chat thing, felt like I was talking to a real person... but their price was still higher than BMA.


For the record patrick is reccomending the nissans, or the L&R.... I think I'll prolly go nissans. Plus shipping and 2 hoses, that'll bring the total to around 250 :-(

I'm a big time believer in BMA and they are a great place to get parts. That being said, I recently bought a radiator for my daughter's Miata from www.radiators.com. They had a great price, a real easy to use web based question and answer feature and they delivered the radiator to my door the next morning on a Saturday. Good luck.

Curt.
1994 530iT