New guy with a Ti + Pitfalls.. Lol

[robbiert]

Hello guys! I just got a Ti yesterday night..

On the way home the coolant block busted, shooting water everywhere.

I did a great deal of research on this forum (thanks 318ti.org !!!) and see that it is a pretty straight forward project.

I'm staying in a townhouse place and they don't allow you to do any work here. And I am super limited to tools. Can anyone recommend a place that is very reasonable or is someone willing to do it for a fee?

Let me know thanks!

[zoner]

I'm a little unclear of what you are talking about when you say "coolant block". Did you blow a freeze plug in the engine block? Are you talking about the coolant pipe that fits into the side of the engine block?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=11&fg=35

(it's the pipe looking thing between #'s 6 and 7 in the diagram)

If so, that is not an uncommon failure on ti's, especially those with high mileage. Regardless of whether it is that pipe or not, I guess my next question would be: How hot did it get before you noticed it and if it was already pretty hot by the time you did, did you also blow the head gasket and/or did you warp/crack the cylinder head?

If you can post pictures of what busted or where the water is coming from, that would be helpful.

[robbiert]

Wow, thanks for such a quick reply! It is leaking from under the intake manifold. From lots of research it appears to be that the plastic coolant thing that connects to the block has broke. I have since bought the part today at long beach BMW including the o ring, thank you much

[lazoh]

Where you able to get it fixed?

[eurohb]

let me know if you need help bud, i work in anaheim area on weekends and can come down sooner if you need some help with anything.

[30yrMbr]

Welcome to the 318ti.org. Sorry about the coolant issue, it is a common problem, and if you didn't let the engine overheat, it is a fairly easy fix. Does require a few tools, but nothing special. I've done this fix to my Ti and my daughter's too. Let me know if you need some help or have some more questions.

Roger

[chudzikb]

Seriously? If I were you, I would never play the lottery! You have to have the worst luck possible. The one weakness of the car breaks on the way home from purchase? I would be talking to the seller for a little $$$ back, cause that just is not right.

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by chudzikb

I would be talking to the seller for a little $$$ back, cause that just is not right.

a private seller doesn't owe you anything once it's signed over, doesn't really matter what happens, it sucks but that's the way it is

welcome, hopefully your luck turns around with this car

[chudzikb]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

a private seller doesn't owe you anything once it's signed over, doesn't really matter what happens, it sucks but that's the way it is

welcome, hopefully your luck turns around with this car

There is a difference between legally obligated, and MORALLY obligated. I know the legal aspects, you are correct, but, still on the hook morally...

If I did that to someone, I would be offering at least to split the cost, and or buy the parts. But, that's just me...

[pdxmotorhead]

?? I'm not sure I get it, how would you know the pipe was going to fail?

Not everybody is as serious as the fans here on the list...

Dave