Radiator spraying coolant

fenixxishot · 11-10-2012, 03:15 PM

This is actually my fault. I was replacing the oil filter housing gasket and I tapped the radiator with the ratchet. I didn't think that much of it as it looked like it just barely bent one of the veins well I start the coolant bleed procedure and I hear coolant spraying. I just like wtf i can't get a break so now I am just thinking why didn't I just pay BMW the 500 to do this its going to cost me at least that much now!

Does any one have and advice. Apparently manual transmission radiators are very uncommon the BMW parts guy said there is only 10 in the US so it will take a while to get so I am out of a car for at least a week. I was hoping maybe someone would have a better solution. Any ideas?

Has anyone had any luck repairing a radiator/ would you feel comfortable fixing it or should I just pay the 350 for a new one?

krhodes1 · 11-10-2012, 03:41 PM

Always put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator when working around it - as you have discovered, they are kinda fragile.

It might be worth taking it out and taking it to a radiator shop and see what they think - you are going to have to take it out regardless. You might get lucky.

Getbmwparts.com shows them at $292 + $15 in shipping, can't imagine they would not have it in stock.

fenixxishot · 11-10-2012, 04:01 PM

yep cardboard in hindsight is a great idea. I am pretty pissed at myself right now. As usual a relatively straight forward 3-4 hour repair is going to prevent me from driving for a week.

Efthreeoh · 11-11-2012, 06:20 AM

I agree, Tischer will have the new radiator to you in no time. Exactly how did you manage to hit the radiator with the ratchet? Did you remove the cooling fan?

fenixxishot · 11-11-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I agree, Tischer will have the new radiator to you in no time. Exactly how did you manage to hit the radiator with the ratchet? Did you remove the cooling fan?

Yeah I removed the fan because my serpentine belt was covered in oil and I didn't want to shred a second belt. So I was cleaning everything in that area. I'm still mad about what happened its not like the ratchet slipped off the bolt and slammed into the radiator. The ratchet just tapped it as I was ratcheting back . It's a bit frustrating because rocks and debris hit the front of this thing all the time and those have to do more damage.

11-10-2012, 03:15 PM	#1
fenixxishot Lieutenant 17 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 08 335i e92 AW MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (8)	Radiator spraying coolant This is actually my fault. I was replacing the oil filter housing gasket and I tapped the radiator with the ratchet. I didn't think that much of it as it looked like it just barely bent one of the veins well I start the coolant bleed procedure and I hear coolant spraying. I just like wtf i can't get a break so now I am just thinking why didn't I just pay BMW the 500 to do this its going to cost me at least that much now! Does any one have and advice. Apparently manual transmission radiators are very uncommon the BMW parts guy said there is only 10 in the US so it will take a while to get so I am out of a car for at least a week. I was hoping maybe someone would have a better solution. Any ideas? Has anyone had any luck repairing a radiator/ would you feel comfortable fixing it or should I just pay the 350 for a new one?
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11-10-2012, 03:41 PM	#2
krhodes1 Colonel 1436 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	Always put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator when working around it - as you have discovered, they are kinda fragile. It might be worth taking it out and taking it to a radiator shop and see what they think - you are going to have to take it out regardless. You might get lucky. Getbmwparts.com shows them at $292 + $15 in shipping, can't imagine they would not have it in stock. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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11-10-2012, 04:01 PM	#3
fenixxishot Lieutenant 17 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 08 335i e92 AW MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (8)	yep cardboard in hindsight is a great idea. I am pretty pissed at myself right now. As usual a relatively straight forward 3-4 hour repair is going to prevent me from driving for a week.
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11-11-2012, 06:20 AM	#4
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I agree, Tischer will have the new radiator to you in no time. Exactly how did you manage to hit the radiator with the ratchet? Did you remove the cooling fan?
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