Adventures in BMW coolant system repair

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti) 02/08/2020 at 20:27 • Filed to: None

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Polishing the headlights is next on the list

My wife’s BMW grenaded a third radiator in as many years last week. The first one was replaced at 95k miles and covered under her CPO warranty. It started losing coolant soon afterwards, with BMW replacing everything other than the rad. A month after the warranty expired it became very apparent that the radiator was the source of the leaks. BMW refused to replace the defective radiator, claiming that they don’t warranty warranty repairs. I had documentation that the replacement radiator had been leaking while still under warranty, so my dealer “goodwilled” me a new radiator. Well, that radiator lasted about a year and a half, so it was now my turn to taste some coolant.

I figured I’d be in for a rough day when I saw the the screw holding the fan to the rad was stripped. With some choice words and a slightly oversized torx bit, I was able to free the bastard. You’ll notice there’s also a missing mounting bolt (upper right corner of the pic), which allows the radiator to jiggle around. I’m guessing this jossling is the source of my rad troubles. Shout out to the asshole tech for their kwalitee work.

The radiator was surprisingly easy to remove. All the quick disconnect hoses quickly disconnected, and there was plenty of room to maneuver the fan and the rad out of the engine bay. Against my better judgement, I picked up a “Duralast” radiator from Autozone. Reason being it was the only rad I could pick up this weekend. It also came with a lifetime warranty, which I’m sure I’ll be using in a year or so. Pic of the old radiator and fan:

The radiator ended up being a CSF unit, and looked to be about the same quality as the POS BMW radiator. I put everything back together and began burping the system. I was rewarded for all my hard work by a leaking upper radiator hose. I was planning on replacing the hoses anyways, so no biggie...except that nobody had a hose in stock. I decided to pull the gasket from the hose fitting and head on down to my local True Value. Wouldn’t ya know it, they had an identical gasket for $0.99. Slapped it in, sealed the leak and saved myself $59.01. Warrantied BMW for your time.

Time for beer and enchiladas.

dumpsterfire! > DipodomysDeserti 02/08/2020 at 20:32

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Sometimes making what is available work, is more satisfying than "good as new". Good work

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DipodomysDeserti 02/08/2020 at 20:33

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Is there anything more poetic than a down-and-dirty good-ol’-punk such as yourself being married to a woman driving a BMW X1? If there is, then this scotch ale I’m drinking is preventing me from thinking of it.

DipodomysDeserti > dumpsterfire! 02/08/2020 at 20:36

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Thanks. I get paid to teach STEM classes, and this is the type of knowledge I try to impart upon my students.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/08/2020 at 20:50

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Whoa whoa whoa, I’m a hardcore kid, we have standards /s. For real though, she’s given birth to two humans in our goddamn bedroom. She’s way more down-and-dirt punk than I’ll ever be.

A dude fell on top of her and knocked her into the control board during the first show I took her to (seventeen or so years ago). She pushed the guy off of her, dusted herself off, then scooted a bit further back. That’s when I knew.

shop-teacher > DipodomysDeserti 02/08/2020 at 21:28

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Excellent work sir!

DipodomysDeserti > shop-teacher 02/08/2020 at 21:31

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Danke!

RallyWrench > DipodomysDeserti 02/09/2020 at 00:42

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Ah yes, “kwalitee with a KW and two E’s”, as I like to say. Remember when I suggested getting rid of this thing? ;) Glad you found some DIY  workarounds, those factory hose O-rings are shit. Nicely earned beer. 

pip bip - choose Corrour > DipodomysDeserti 02/09/2020 at 03:20

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what is it with BMWs and cooling systems?

DipodomysDeserti > pip bip - choose Corrour 02/09/2020 at 09:33

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In my experience it has to do with them using shitty plastic. I’ve had issues with plastic dissolving outside the cooling system on this car. This engine also has issues with the plastic timing chain guides breaking. Germans  can’t do plastic yet.

DipodomysDeserti > RallyWrench 02/09/2020 at 09:38

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Yeah, I know. It’s paid off, so I’m tempted to see how long I can keep her going. She touches 40 mpg on the highway which is nice for road trips. And that orange still pops. Just hoping the timing chain guides hold up.