Do you think this radiator could be easily fixed?

[han]

I was looking on Ebay for a e34 540i when i stumbled across this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-540i-Steptronic-E39-540-V8-4-4l-M5-lil-bro-DVD-MP3_W0QQitemZ4568587192QQcategoryZ9837QQssPageName ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

seems quite cheap for what it is and the problem looks easily fixed. Do you think I would be buying my way into hundred of problems?

[Jeff N.]

I'd be cautious without seeing the car. History of cooling problem...the engine may well have been overheated and is cooked. The radiator may not be the real problem here.

[uscharalph]

I was looking on Ebay for a e34 540i when i stumbled across this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-540i-Steptronic-E39-540-V8-4-4l-M5-lil-bro-DVD-MP3_W0QQitemZ4568587192QQcategoryZ9837QQssPageName ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

seems quite cheap for what it is and the problem looks easily fixed. Do you think I would be buying my way into hundred of problems?
It's leaking at the water pump gasket.

[han]

could i not just replace the broken bits? 540s sell for more than 5000 ebay so if i cna fix it for less than a few grand i would have saved a bundle, or am i missing something?

[Kalevera]

could i not just replace the broken bits? 540s sell for more than 5000 ebay so if i cna fix it for less than a few grand i would have saved a bundle, or am i missing something?
You won't know until the car is looked at by someone who does :)

Water pump gasket seems a highly unlikely area for leaks unless the car was handled by a monkey mechanic who cut up the flange.

There are two coolant pipes that run under the intake -- from the water pump to a rear distribution gallery. A novice will pull them out and not be able to reseat them while replacing the pump. There's also the possibility of a bad o ring somewhere in there.

Either way, a car that's losing enough coolant to drain the expansion tank from an external leak is going to *show it*. The seller seems to be playing dumb. I'd check it out before even considering a bid.


best, whit

[han]

it went up to 3500 so i gave up. Oh well guess i'll have to wait before i can get a new car. Still my e34 530 is pretty good just wish it wasnt auto.

[rickm]

You'd think that the seller would fix it so he could get more for it. *shrug*

[han]

I know he coulda got thousands more if he fixed it. But he is going back to the states in 4 days so i guess he really had to sell it quickly.