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Old 06-03-2021, 02:16 PM
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a couple questions

Thanks in advance to the interweb mind...
1) The small drain hole near the fuel filler door hinge is plugged and holding water. I can't find an obvious exit and the piece of weed eater line I poke into it goes in perhaps one inch then stops at what feels like a sharp bend, but who knows, it could be a nest of badgers in there clogging it up. I worry about water building up somewhere I can't see, rust, etc. Has anyone cleared this, or does it even matter?

2) My second set of rear air springs have perhaps 100k on them and seem to be just fine. I actually like the way the car drives with the rear air springs (2002 e53 4.4i with self leveling rear air) and my system has been very reliable (knock on wood). I will have the back end broken down to do the subframe bushings and a 1.5' spacer lift in the next few weeks. I could easily do new air springs (I read Arnott are the way to go these days?), but maybe I could also get another 50k out of the ones I have in there? Is this a "fly to failure" part for most guys or am I pushing it already with 100k on them? They aren't too expensive, but just enough to make me think about taking my chances!

3) Any gotchas on the lower radiator hose on the 4.4 M62TU? Mine is leaking at the radiator connection so I ordered a new hose. Seems like a simple job, perhaps deceptively so? Any gotchas here? I worry that the crappy plastic parts on the radiator will explode when I look at them, like all the plastic bits on my car seem prone to do. I did a quick search for an aftermarket, all aluminum performance radiator for the e53 and couldn't find anything other than full custom jobs for $1k.
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Old 06-03-2021, 04:53 PM
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The fuel filler drain exits just in front of the right rear wheel... try poking the line trimmer line up from the drain exit...
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Old 06-04-2021, 01:45 AM
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a couple questions

1) fix above should do the trick. I would maybe use "canned air" vs. trimmer string. A little chewed gum or similar to make a tight seal

2) air springs can last 200,000 miles. I believe mine are Original at 197. That said wife's 2012 with 76 k has a leaky bag. I would spray them with AT-205 or equivalent to slow dry it (I also use on CV boots). I wouldn't replace preemptively since they are very easy to replace though I'd possibility consider having one on hand for the inevitable.

I think e53 have unique left and right but I thought I only saw one part number when I ordered for wife's E70. So I guess I'd just wait. They usually fail slow-leak and you can drive after it pumps up every day if needed.

3) The part to explode is the part you are replacing. Where is the leak exactly? The most common lower hose leak is the o-ring at the outlet temp sensor. I was out in the boonies at 1am when I noticed mine was leaking like crazy.

I pulled out the sensor, quickly stuffed a finger from a nitrile glove stuffed with paper towel in the hole. I wrapped 3-5 wraps of Teflon tape around the completely flattened o-ring and swapped the "finger" for the sensor with the idea of when I return to civilization I'd replace the o-ring.

That was 3.5 years ago. Never bothered to replace the o-ring as it never leaked since.

I am a big fan of the method of hose connections on the BMW, but they can be difficult to break loose and I've done my share (maybe 30-40) and the best way I've found to knock them loose is to start with a very large flat screwdriver (so the very end is maybe 1.5-2mm and after releasing the capture spring, use a small hammer and tap the screwdriver on the fastest part of the hose connector. Once you get it moving you will have an opportunity to get a small pry tool just inside the male side of the connector and you can pry there.

Of 30-40, I broke a 2x5 mm piece off the part where I pry but it was outside the o-ring seal and did not affect the connection.
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Old 06-04-2021, 11:00 AM
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Thanks for the advice gents.

I do think the E53 air springs are side-specific, or at least Arnott sells them that way.

The leak is from the fitting where the lower hose attaches to the radiator. slow drip on my driveway that I've had it with. My plan is to work my way around the motor and replace the big ticket hoses that are all 2002 original before they demand replacement. It seems that the radiator has plastic sides, and I'm sure the inlet and outlet are plastic as well.

For years (longer than the lower hose has been leaking) the car has lost coolant to the tune of roughly half to 2/3 of the reservoir each month. Some of the fittings do build up crusty residue, which makes me wonder if I have coolant/steam venting slowly.
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Old 06-04-2021, 11:17 AM
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The O-rings are integral to the hose so if it leaks at the end you deafly want to replace the hose. The bottom Halsey might not be able to use the tap from the back side with a screwdriver trick so when you pray on it you Gotta be careful to only cash the outer 2 mm there’s a thing on the internal fitting That is really easy to pry on instead of the hose
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