 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  03-04-2005, 07:18 PM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 142 |  Radiator help!
Hi everyone. So I had something of a massive over heating problem last night. The radiator seems to just have given out, exploded. Now here comes the best part, the shop wants just over 600 to tear the whole thing apart and fix it. However, I'm asking everyone, especially those in san diego if there is a way that I can fix this my self, IE. Install a new radiator my self. And possibly get one cheaper than the dealer will charge.
I still really want to keep this car, however if the cost of fixing it is to high i might have to sell it. Thanks everyone.
-Matt __________________ "You want to know me? Well so do I."
97' naked 318ti  |  |  | | 03-04-2005, 09:17 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Delafield, WI Posts: 471 |
I don't know how much a new radiator costs, and wether it is a good idea putting a used one in. I have had radiators re-cored and it was pretty reasonable, around $100, but that was about 15 years ago. I wouldn't think it would be a hard job installing it. $600 from your shop sounds like a rip, unless the radiator costs $500 and the labor is $100. I would definitely re-core it if the radiator costs that much. | | | | | 03-04-2005, 10:20 PM | #3 | | Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 44 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by socal318ti Hi everyone. So I had something of a massive over heating problem last night. The radiator seems to just have given out, exploded. Now here comes the best part, the shop wants just over 600 to tear the whole thing apart and fix it. However, I'm asking everyone, especially those in san diego if there is a way that I can fix this my self, IE. Install a new radiator my self. And possibly get one cheaper than the dealer will charge.
I still really want to keep this car, however if the cost of fixing it is to high i might have to sell it. Thanks everyone.
-Matt | Changing the radiator is one of the easier things to do on a ti. Don't get a used one. I got an OEM (not OE) from a nearby on-line vendor. Cost was WAY less than the dealer. For SoCal, Reseda Radiator is a good option. http://www.resedaradiator.com/ . You could also try Eurasian in Temecula. All the plastic parts in the cooling system get brittle and break. Be prepared to replace several other items while you have the car apart. You will almost certainly need the plastic snap in fasteners that hold the fan shroud to the radiator. I'd also replace the thermostat, water pump hoses and other things you can get to easily while the radiator is out. You should use BMW brand coolant -- you get that from the dealer. There are two plastic coolant pipes -- one at the back of the head and one under the intake manifold. There are also hoses going to these pipes. They are a huge pain to replace -- but you might want to have them changed too. From the way you asked the question, I'd say you shouldn't try and change them yourself. I used to have the name of a good independent who worked out of his house in PB. I'll see if I still have it. | | | | | 03-05-2005, 09:30 PM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colyumbia S.C. Posts: 101 |
go to AUTOPARTSWORLD.COM . They have great service and sponsor my Ti drift project. | | | | | 03-20-2005, 04:13 PM | #6 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
how many miles and what year is the car? if you are around 150k and haven't done a water pump, you might want to do that too. you can check pics and look at the parts in the online ETK (best used with the last 7 digits of your VIN): http://www.realoem.com/bmw __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 03-20-2005, 08:32 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 120 |
you can do it yourself, just some hoses a few bolts and walah. __________________
95' black 318i
fogged airbox, understeer SSK, euro clear corners, blacked out kidney grill, custom (black) painted side skirts and bumpers, PBR brake pads, zimmerman rotors, | | | | | 06-12-2005, 03:10 AM | #8 | | Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 10 | Radiator Installation Problem...help!
I ran into some problems replacing my radiator today and hope someone has a suggestion. Everything was going very well, added new hoses and clamps, but then I ran into some problems adding in the new coolant and bleed the system. The expansion tank is full, yet the coolant hasn't worked all the way through the system to the bleeding screw and I can tell that the upper hose is not full. The key is in the on position with the temp all the way hot. I've followed the Bentley manual step-by-step and can not figure out why the system will not bleed correctly. If anyone has a suggest or solution it would very much be appreciated. Thanks | | | | | 06-13-2005, 10:30 PM | #9 | | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Burlington Ontario Posts: 17 |
Another great online source for BMW branded parts at better than dealer cost is www.bimmerspecialist.com S. | | | | |
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