Split Coolant Hose - but where the F does it end?

[timinfla2]

So the wife comes home today screaming, 'I need you, I need you'! Well, I was hoping it was time for some action, so I ran downstairs and there was action, all right - a huge hissing steaming of coolant on my garage floor under the 2002 4.4 X5.

I let it cool down and found the culprit hose - but I cant figure out how to get the sucker off of there. I BARELY could trace it to the back of the engine block and I 'think' I feel a hose clamp back there but I can't imagine how in Hades I'm supposed to get a driver back there to unscrew it.

Any advice on this one guys? The video of the hose can be seen here:

Split hose on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thanks,
Tim

[MrFixIt]

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.4i Water valve/Water hose IHKA

Part #12. It hooks up to the driver’s side rear coolant cross pipe (stainless steel clamp with a screw) and the auxiliary water pump (metal C clamp, pull up on the metal clip and pull...be careful not yank too hard on the aux water pump. If you can, hold on to the pump while maneuvering/removing the hose. There isn't much room).

You will need to remove the microfilter housing and plastic cover over the radiator—it will make it easier to remove and install the cross pipe connector and give a little bit of room to work the aux water pump.

It’s a little tricky to get the hose clear of the other hoses, metal lines, etc. You’ll just have to maneuver the hose around. Take a photo of how its placement before removing so you’ll have a good reference to refer back to if needed.

Oh, don’t forget BMW coolant when you get the new hoses. If those hoses are factory original since 2002, chances are the rest will go as well…just a matter of time.

Good luck. It's not a difficult DIY, just have to remove some items to get to the part.

A couple of photos to give you an idea where the rear connector is located.

[timinfla2]

Wow bro, thank you VERY much for the detailed writeup! I'll let you know how it goes!
I took off the plastic screen over the back of the engine but it didn't really help me - is there another part that I have to take off to get to the back of the motor? I could hardly fit my hands behind there.

Thanks again!

-Tim

[m5james]

Look at MrFixIt comin through! Nice.

To the OP, this is something I always recommend to people...replace EVERYTHING. Waterpump, thermostat, ALL rubber hoses and lines, coolant expansion tank, radiator itself, etc. It may be a hard thing to swallow, but the cooling system on these cars turn into eggshells w/ time, and you being an 02, I'm guessing you probably have 80-100k on the clock.

[HPIA4v2]

I am with James on this.
Check for valley pan leaks, if you replacing WP/thermostats and had to remove the valve cover to get to that coolant manifold in the back might as well do the valley pan gasket.

I replaced most of the cooling parts but later find the valley pan gasket leaks and this summer most likely will do the same work over again, oh well.

[fast4d]

I'm glad I replaced the hoses that goes back there when I did the valley pan. the right side valve cover is a big PITA because of the hoses in rear corner.