Coolant Expansion Tank Options

[ChiefRider]

Many brands of coolant expansion tanks online- I want to avoid the "bad" brands but hoping there was a lower cost option than the OEM so hoping for recommendations....


Also, I hope the Forum is ok with these specific threads/titles. My past experience is you can waste a lot of time searching threads for info many may want sorting through posts with unrelated titles. Just hoping it simplifies for the next searcher- thanks!

[Happy]

I can only suggest OEM. That was the choice I went with.

Curious though, as to what others have experienced.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Behr is probably the OE supplier. I'll happily use them vs. Genuine.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Behr is probably the OE supplier. I'll happily use them vs. Genuine.

When my original tank blew in the driveway (whew). I bought an OE Behr, to get up and running so I could get to the shop for a new cooling system without a tow.

When comparing a brand new OE Behr with 30 miles on it to an OEM tank, there were noticeable differences in the quality, and most importantly the welds.

That was my experience.

[ChiefRider]

Originally Posted by Happy

When my original tank blew in the driveway (whew). I bought an OE Behr, to get up and running so I could get to the shop for a new cooling system without a tow.

When comparing a brand new OE Behr with 30 miles on it to an OEM tank, there were noticeable differences in the quality, and most importantly the welds.

That was my experience.

Interesting to note. I have had radically mixed results with Behr Mercedes components- some catastrophic. I hate plastic....

[Happy]

Originally Posted by ChiefRider

Interesting to note. I have had radically mixed results with Behr Mercedes components- some catastrophic. I hate plastic....

Plastic is great against corrosion, not so great with temperature cycles. My original cooling system went 17 years, and 96,000 miles.

Crazy though, how an expansion tank failure can cause catastrophic engine failure.

Had I not been outside on the driveway when the failure occurred, the thing would have probably overheated while idling, parked.

I thank God I was present when it bursted. As soon as I heard it, I cut the power. It never had a chance to heat up.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Happy

When my original tank blew in the driveway (whew). I bought an OE Behr, to get up and running so I could get to the shop for a new cooling system without a tow.

When comparing a brand new OE Behr with 30 miles on it to an OEM tank, there were noticeable differences in the quality, and most importantly the welds.

That was my experience.

For the record, these are the definitions that I use:
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/the-great-d...vs-aftermarket

OEM means third tier substitute when I say it.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

For the record, these are the definitions that I use:

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/the-great-d...vs-aftermarket



OEM means third tier substitute when I say it.

That makes sense. In those terms, then genuine would be my suggestion. I’m obviously not a parts counter operator. LoL..

Jokes aside though, the Behr OE expansion tank is not the same quality as the genuine, that is the point I was trying to make.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Happy

That makes sense. In those terms, then genuine would be my suggestion. I’m obviously not a parts counter operator. LoL..

Jokes aside though, the Behr OE expansion tank is not the same quality as the genuine, that is the point I was trying to make.

Yeah. And put that way, I don't know that I would call it an OE part. My view on aftermarket OE parts is that they should be identical.

And, of course, Mahle/Behr further confuse the issue by selling a standard and a Premium line. I wouldn't be surprised if the premium line is OE quality (or at least close enough) and the standard line is OEM quality. I have no complaints about the Premium line that the PO put in my X5.

[80stech]

@Happy -- That is good to point out and is often the case, but not always obvious, that a listed as OE or OEM part is not necessarily made to the same standards as the factory original or replacement. That being said, sometimes an aftermarket or factory replacement (usually with a different part number) part can be an improvement as well. Everyone seems to have a different idea of what OE or OEM is but good to know either way.