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Thread: Who's changed their radiator in an E34 540i?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Ashland, Oregon
    Posts
    253

    Default Who's changed their radiator in an E34 540i?

    I'm just wondering how tuff the labor is...

    I think my radiator or the outlet/inlet neck is leaking... it appears to be the only thing that could be causing my coolant leak. So, if possible, I'd like to change it out myself... save some $$$ on labor.

    Any help or tips is appreciated.

    Thanks again to everyone on this forum who has offered so much help and info to the noob. I've already fixed my window troubles, and this coolant issue looks like the last thing for now.

    Damn I love this car!

    -Brandon
    94 540i - 225k (alusil)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    9,281

    Default Hi Brandon

    thinking is not knowing exactly respect. you are not sure (sorry for my bad English). Try to save money and make sure that it is the radiator.
    Usullay you can make a pressure test. For that you need something special. DIY: a second cap with a gauge from the next tool shop for checking the pressure and the loss over a certain time (hope you have a Bentley Repair Manual, saves time and money).
    Coolant leaks can appear in many places, but first look for the 'weak' spots': connections, clamps, plastic parts. especially the area of heater valves and the aux pump (underneath!).
    Wherever you look, have an eye for spots:


    I do not have an instruction for the 540, what I can offer you is for the M30 and the M70 engine on my website.
    Check out either/and/or Jon Evans website from there or the site of Johan and Sean.
    It even can be that you might not find something (seldom), cause the wind force from driving takes the coolant away and it is dropped somewhere on the street,
    But usually you can see the spots.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Boston & Attleboro MA
    Posts
    727

    Default

    The main outlet neck on the radiators is famous for breaking. You'd have to take that hose off to inspect it. Better do it soon cause if the neck is broken you could be driving and have that hose blow off.

    A Behr replacement radiator is about $300, might wanna get the clips too that connect it at the top as they break sometimes when removing/reinstalling. Of course the best thing to do is also drain the system and replace w/ BMW Stealer coolant. Not a difficult job, probably about 2hrs even for a novice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Ashland, Oregon
    Posts
    253

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DaCan23
    The main outlet neck on the radiators is famous for breaking. You'd have to take that hose off to inspect it. Better do it soon cause if the neck is broken you could be driving and have that hose blow off.

    A Behr replacement radiator is about $300, might wanna get the clips too that connect it at the top as they break sometimes when removing/reinstalling. Of course the best thing to do is also drain the system and replace w/ BMW Stealer coolant. Not a difficult job, probably about 2hrs even for a novice.
    Thanks. Yeah... I can vaguely tell where the leak is originating from... it is right around the area of that neck, but the hose wasn't wet and the connection to the neck felt good / dry... but further towards the front of the car you can see where fluid has dripped down thru all the frame and plastic parts towards the lower grill. I'm gonna crack into it this weekend... I still have my other car, so I'm not gonna be stuck at home.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Ashland, Oregon
    Posts
    253

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DaCan23
    The main outlet neck on the radiators is famous for breaking. You'd have to take that hose off to inspect it. Better do it soon cause if the neck is broken you could be driving and have that hose blow off.

    A Behr replacement radiator is about $300, might wanna get the clips too that connect it at the top as they break sometimes when removing/reinstalling. Of course the best thing to do is also drain the system and replace w/ BMW Stealer coolant. Not a difficult job, probably about 2hrs even for a novice.
    Well, it is the radiator. Since I'm really new to the car I decided I want to have a pro handle this job... but I got in good with the local BMW expert.
    How does $432 sound for a new behr radiator, hoses, clamps, other misc. parts, OEM BMW fluid, and labor?

    I thought that sounded pretty reasonable.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    8

    Default $340 for radiator??

    Quote Originally Posted by Beez540
    Well, it is the radiator. Since I'm really new to the car I decided I want to have a pro handle this job... but I got in good with the local BMW expert.
    How does $432 sound for a new behr radiator, hoses, clamps, other misc. parts, OEM BMW fluid, and labor?

    I thought that sounded pretty reasonable.
    Where did you get the radiator. The BEST my mechanic could find was $800!! I'm in S. Cal (Los Angeles) and he tried all the way to san Diego.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    1,279

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pixcutter
    Where did you get the radiator. The BEST my mechanic could find was $800!! I'm in S. Cal (Los Angeles) and he tried all the way to san Diego.
    Darn... I think BMA is cheaper then that.....
    If it cannot be fixed by the dremel or ducktape.. get out the sledge...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    I miss my e34

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    4,894

    Default

    I changed mine... not hard at all... just two hose clamps and just cut away the hose (why not change it at the same time?) and two clips to hold the fan shroud,,, and two clips to hold the radiator in (use screwdriver to pry via built in hole so you can unclip it from the body)... take out two bumper stop on radiator to transfer to new one... and reverse.

    At this point, if you still have plastic thermostat housing,... change it too.... these are proned to leak too.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Dayton, Ohio
    Posts
    313

    Default

    I did mine to... same leaking area.... there are some decenly good write ups, just search the posts... Patrick at BMA suggested the $200 radiator.... and I replaced upper and lower hoses while I was at it.

    It didn't take all that long, but leave yourself a couple of hours and you'll be fine.... also, order / got to the dealer and pick up two of those plastic clips that hold the radiator down.... I guarantee you'll break em trying to take them off :-)

    and while your at the dealer pick up some BMW antifreeze..... and might as well replace that thermostat housing (I did in mine, but at seperate time from radiator), it will be MUCH easier to do without the raditor in there....
    Former: 95-530iM

    Current: 99 GMC Seirra 1500

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Pittsburgh
    Posts
    100

    Default Transmission cooler question

    Ordered my radiator from BMA as well. Mine came with the clips though, ask Patrick for them when you call. You are going to call BMA right?

    I had some trouble with the transmission cooler. Spilled a good deal of fluid on the floor detaching the fluid lines from the cooler. The problem I found was that the T/C was attached to the front of the radiator so you had to disconnect the lines, then pull the radiator and detach the T/C. Install in reverse.

    Anyone been able to come up with a workaround?

    Quote Originally Posted by PhilipJCaputo
    It didn't take all that long, but leave yourself a couple of hours and you'll be fine.... also, order / got to the dealer and pick up two of those plastic clips that hold the radiator down.... I guarantee you'll break em trying to take them off :-)

    and while your at the dealer pick up some BMW antifreeze..... and might as well replace that thermostat housing (I did in mine, but at seperate time from radiator), it will be MUCH easier to do without the raditor in there....

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