Unofficialbmw.com

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

is there a fix?

or is the fix a new radiator?

is this a job I can do myself?

this sucks !!!!
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

SocrManiac · Joined: 08 Dec 2001 Posts: 172

I'm guessing there's nothing left to grab onto with a clamp, so it's new radiator time. Anything else will really be a temporary fix.

Welcome to the wonderful world of E36 cooling.

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

ok, I have decided to do this job myself.

what should I be replacing when I do this job?

I am looking at pelicanparts now

[list=]1 x radiator (Behr, Nissens or Laengerer & Reich)

2 x radiator mounting brackets, if they are easily broke, I will brake them

should I be replacing any hoses, drain plugs, sensors, radiator cap, or expansion tank?[/list]

is there a better place to buy these parts?

thanks, joe
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

jc · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 864 Location: Cleveland, OH

Behr and L&R make the BMW radiators, Nissens is ok too. I'm not sure what price you got, but you can usually find one of these brand radiators on ebay for 125 shipped (new). I'd remove the mounting brackets now. If they don't break, you won't have to buy new ones. Do the same with the expansion tank. The radiator should come with a drain plug. Now would be the time to replace the hoses, but you can usually get away without if trying to save money. Usually the top one causes problems first.

PJK · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:14 am Post subject:

Pelican is good.

Remove the expansion tank (reservior) and shake it. If it rattles the dip tube is broken and you will need a new reservior.

Phil

SocrManiac · Joined: 08 Dec 2001 Posts: 172

Never hurts to do belts, thermostat (gaskets), thermostat housing (if it's still the plastic type), and maybe even water pump while you're in there. The belts will be cake with all the clearance you'll have with the radiator out.

When I swapped radiators awhile back, I think it took a total of 45 minutes. If you're doing a straight radiator swap, you don't need anything more exotic than a screwdriver for the hose clamps and clips and a wrench to swap the coolant sensor. Compare that to the same era A4 where the entire front clip has to come off the car.

mmaldin · Joined: 19 Oct 2001 Posts: 288 Location: Boulder, CO

I'll suggest that if you decide to replace the hoses that you use genunine BMW ones. The aftermarket or oem ones that I got did not fit as well as the originals. I replaced them with OE hoses at my next flush. I went with the Nissens radiator about 2 years ago, so far so good. My radiator clips broke upon removal.
_________________
Michael
94 325i, 178K miles, original owner

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

ok, I am getting my parts list ready from pelican parts.

i am getting:

upper and lower hoses
thermostat and o-ring
thermostat aluminum cover and gasket
water pump with metal impeller and o-ring
new belt (water pump/alternator)
radiator sensor plug - will this fix the low coolant message?
------Radiator Sensor Plug (14 x 1.5 mm), E36 (all)
2 new plastic clips, cause I am sure I will break them

$159 in parts, not bad . . . plus the radiator

does anyone have a preference: NISSENS or BEHR?

on eBay, the NISSENS sells for $139, while the BEHR is $122. both offer free shipping.

should I be getting something/anything else?

should I be doing this job? I need a confidence boost here folks !!
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

me again . . .

pelican sells water pump super kits, which include:

* Water Pump and Gasket (metal impeller)
* Thermostat and O-Ring
* Thermostat Housing Gasket
* Water Pump Belt
* Fan Clutch
* 12 oz. Redline Water Wetter Corrosion Treatment
* Radiator Mounts
* Fan Clutch Tool and Counter Holder
* Radiator Cap
* Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses

should I just get that, plus the radiator?
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

SocrManiac · Joined: 08 Dec 2001 Posts: 172

No need to replace the fan clutch if it isn't bad, ditto the radiator cap. Just make sure you store the fan clutch upright as though it's mounted in the car.

You're going to take the AC belt off to get at the other belt, might as well replace that, too.

I see many posts about the radiator clips- nice to have, but I've never broken one and I've pulled many radiators. The mounts are simple rubber feet. Can't imagine they'd be bad.

Depending on the price of that kit, it might not be worth it, as it's missing the aluminum thermostat housing and has other stuff you don't really need.

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

thats what I needed to hear, will stick to my original parts list, my list of parts was cheaper as well !!!

heading to the garage to take th radiator out !!!

WHAT AM I DOING !!!!
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa

question, do I need to drain the engine block?

or can I get away with just draining the radiator?
_________________
joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

SocrManiac · Joined: 08 Dec 2001 Posts: 172

Might as well drain the block and flush the entire system at the same time.

PJK · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

Especially if you have been getting bogus low coolant messages check out the reservior. If you need one, Pelicon supplies it with the coolant level sensor in place. The problem is that the sensor is for some 5 - series. Talk to them about swapping it for the correct e36 part. If they won't do it and your old sensor looks good just reuse it.

Phil