IMPORTANT: Two plastic cooling system parts that WILL break.
 

I've seen way too many threads asking about these parts, so I'll create a new thread and make it a sticky.

Please note: If you haven't replaced these parts, they will crack and blow coolant everywhere. If you drive your car while this is happening, you will overheat it and warp the head. If you car overheats, DON'T DRIVE IT. PERIOD!!

#9 in this picture: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=11&fg=15

#1 in this picture: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...58&hg=11&fg=10

I'm bored.. Parts are highlighted in Red :)

Just to add: the M42 engine only needs the part labeled as #1. The part labeled as #9 is not on the M42 as the hose goes directly into the head.

Here's pictures of the connector for the back of the head:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...onnector1a.jpg
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http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...onnector1b.jpg

And the side of the block:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../coolant2a.jpg
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http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../coolant2b.jpg

I've had to replace both of those on my 96'. Number 1 just popped lately, and overheated.

Had to have the warped head machined and the valves reseated.
Part: 10$
Head job: 2,500$
Lesson: Priceless. :]

Are there metal replacements for these?

Nope. And I've still not found anybody with an M42 that had the longer pipe break. The really common failure is the Y shaped pipe on the M44. It breaks at the Y. Doesn't seem like the other one is as flimsy.. Needless to say, I still keep one in my box of spares..

But if you have an M44 you should replace both if you are going to do it.

Mohaughn, I just recently had the longer one break. The nipple sticking straight up completely broke off at the bottom ridge. As well as the Y shaped one broke off in the same manor nearly a year ago. :frown:

The upper intake manifold had to be removed to get to the the long one.

The Y shaped piece can be got to from the bottom of the car, but its pretty much working blind as theres not much room back there to see what your hand is doing.

this is great!!!

how do we go about replacing these? i know where to buy them, but what do we needa remove to get to these parts? is it easy? or am i removing alot of parts?

i was considering flushing my coolant soon, so i might as well do it then.

Well, I'm pretty sure that the longer of the two plastic pieces is the easier to put in. It sit on the driver side of the motor and I believe can be replaced if you remove the intake manifold....I did mine when I installed my super so I'm not 100% sure on this. The second smaller piece would be a ROYAL pain in the a** to replace because it sits on the back of the engine between the firewall. So if you dont have midjet hands I'm not sure how you could possibly replace it without some serious tear down.

I will be getting my head gasket seal replaced and I will be getting this smaller piece replaced aswell. Once it gets installed I'll ask my mechanic how you could do it yourself. I'm guessing that you would need to remove the top head of your engine just to fit any tools into the small space to remove and tighten the bolts. I'll let ya know in a few weeks once it gets done.

yeah it would be great to know how to do yourself. that parts are like $30, but labor would be alot if u didnt do it yourself.. im getting alot done to my car right now, so might as well put that on the list if its easy to do. i work at sears, so my friends at the autocenter will lift it up when they arent busy, and they work on it under the table for $30 an hour (im giving them 3 times as much as there hourly wage, but its still cheaper then $100 an hour at the 2 places in this area that will even touch my car)

He is 100% right about replacing that thing from experience mine cracked then some valve problem in the I-10 freeway while in traffic 2 years ago. I had to replace the whole radiator cause of this small problem.

I have a E46 Australian model ,318ti 2003 2Lt engine ,67,000kms.
Is this applicable ?

if i have a 98 ti wat model motor do i have?

Noga, you should have the m44.

Guys, I replaced the Y connector on my 318i. It sure is a lot of work, but not that bad as it looks.

If you still haven't done, let me know, I can explain how I replaced mine

How'd ya do it?

Possibly. You have a different motor,

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...53&hg=11&fg=35

Some of those pipes/fittings may be plastic and become brittle over time.

I have 1999 318ti and am looking at having the head gasket replaced. Good to know about these parts. Is there a list on the site for all the parts needed when replacing the head gasket as well as parts you may as well replace (250,000 km)?
Thanks,
John Paul

Hi, I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if when this happened to your car, did it leak radiator fluid into your driver side interior, wetting the carpet? Just had this problem, and I'm trying to figure out where it's coming from.

hi, im new to this site. i actually dont even have my 318ti in yet haha. it just got loaded on the barge and is being shipped from California to Hawaii today. i asked the previous owner if he replaced this part but he said he hadnt. there was one owner before him so he wasnt sure if it was replaced. the car has 120,000miles and his mechanic says it is in perfect working condition, how can i check if the 2 connections have been replaced?

what year is your car Chicken?
Without records it's hard to tell.
I have an m42 engine which only has the longer connection. I ended up breaking it myself when doing some engine work.
Search the Knowledge base. Cirrus did an excellent DIY on a cooling system rebuild.
I would consider doing that (maybe less the radiator) if I were you. Then you can sleep worry free about overheating your engine. The original stuff on the ti seems to last 130-160k miles I think.

this problem will be the heater matrex would have burst as its thin alloy
cant remember if this was a easy in and out or a a full dash out job

chicken - it's best to just have them replaced proactively.

really? I didn't know that, does it have the one behind the block or under the intake?

mine is a 1998. how difficult is it to DIY? European car mechanics are hard to find here and pretty expensive. i have worked on a Ford engine but this is my first BMW. but i will definitely get the parts changed, better safe than sorry

my 97 318i is overheating, steam came out of the number 1 thing...
just checked the DIY looks hard but very fun ;0

that sucks krispy. hey you dont have the red 318ti do you? i saw one in honolulu the other month.

what website sells the parts?

Pelicanparts.com, www.getbmwparts.com

Naw bro i got a Moreagrun 318i, the one in my avatar.

i am about to order the 2 connections but i was wondering if there is anything else i should replace while i am already under the hood. is the waterpump, timing belt etc easily accessible while replacing the connections?

Waterpump should be replaced before 120k unless you hear a rattle. Replace the thermostat as well as all coolant hoses. Use RealOEM.com to help you. No timing belt as the ti has a timing chain. Thank God!

Waterpump is a 2-3 hour job. Make sure you have the proper bolts to pull it out. I suggest reading the PelicanParts.com article on it. The Y shaped coolant connector is a huge PITA. You need to remove the intake manifold and it helps if you can drop the engine off one mount slightly so that you have more room to work. Also, it helps to move the electrical harness box and cabin filter system. Other things to change while the intake manifold is off: all air lines. Especially the octopus fuel vac lines. You'll know what I'm talking about when you pull the upper IM off. Finally, the two fuel lines that connect to the rail should also probably be replaced. Once you do that, your car will be nice and reliable on the coolant/vacuum line side for years to come.

Maybe while you're at it, do brake fluid (ATE Super Blue), diff fluid (Redline), coolant (make sure you use BMW approved coolant as standard Prestone type [yellow] has electrolytes that aren't compatible and will create an electric gradient which will galvanize the metals) and trans fluid too (Redline lubricants makes good stuff). And recharge the A/C. And lube up the sunroof. hmm... anymore? Replace spark plugs (use anti-seize on the new ones!) and oil (I love my Mobil 1 0w40) and call it a year.

Oh wow. definitally very very helpful, thank you! that site realoem.com is very helpful too.

i was wondering what are the part numbers for the replacement hoses

Yep, realoem.com is your friend. :biggrin:

thank you. just having trouble with finding the airlines, "octopus fuel vac lines" and "2 fuel lines connected to rail"

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...16&hg=13&fg=15

PN #13531739618, item 2

13531433829
13531433830

items 13+16

Where can you buy the connector for the back of the head from? I cant find it on pelicanparts; I only found the side one.

I have a 95 ti what type of motor do I have?

You have a M42