06-04-2007, 04:24 PM | #1 |
Jaded
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 308
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radiator hose swap...
Perhaps you guys could help:
For the '87 535is I need to swap out a leaky coolant hose. I’m currently at work, so I can’t go outside to check the specific hose but I’m pretty sure it’s the hose that attaches to the thermostat housing just in front of the fan and snakes its way to the bottom the radiator. Is it necessary to drain the coolant from both the radiator and the engine block in order to swap out the hose or can I just drain the radiator, and provided that the coolant looks good, perform the swap, top off the fluid, and bleed the system?
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06-04-2007, 04:42 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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Whether it can be done, or not, I think it's a good opportunity to do a complete flush and refill with new coolant. As long as you're already working on the system.
Though, assuming that the 535i is like any other car I've worked on (and maybe it's not?), you can probably replace the hose without draining the radiator or what's in the engine block. If you attach the new hose (one end at a time), quickly, right after removing the original, you should be able to avoid losing some/most of your coolant. Be prepared to catch the stuff that does flow out with a drain pan, though. I'll bet that if you keep the radiator cap on, it won't flow out as fast either. Top it off, bleed it, and you should be good to go. But again, I'd take this opportunity to do a full flush and refill. |
06-04-2007, 04:48 PM | #3 | |
Jaded
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 308
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Quote:
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06-05-2007, 10:21 AM | #4 |
Jaded
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Went ahead and drained the whole system. The PO had but some green shit in there. I replaced the hose, and refilled with BMW coolant.
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06-05-2007, 10:58 AM | #5 |
Tilting Rocinante
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Havre de Grace, MD
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If you can't document when they were last done, consider doing the radiator, thermostat/housing, and water pump as good preventative maintenance.
Alex
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06-13-2007, 08:31 AM | #6 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
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I think the Altima was on its original coolant. It certainly has its original brake and clutch fluid. 11 years and 186,500 miles.
I went back and forth in my head before changing them. We'll see what can of worms I opened by tampering with a delicate microcosm. |
06-13-2007, 09:44 AM | #7 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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Quote:
Some maintenance items are better left alone after a certain point. |
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06-13-2007, 09:48 AM | #8 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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Well fortunately the car runs great. But it needs a fuel filter, cap, rotor, wires, could probably use new front control arms and swaybar bushings and endlinks.
But so long as it passes inspection... I'll probably leave it alone. |
06-13-2007, 09:53 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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