Another Cracked Expansion Tank / Coolant Tank

Sardonic · #1 02-09-2008, 12:07 AM

...so i pulled my x5 (2001 4.4i) into the garage tonight and notice some slight smoke coming from underneath my hood...crap...i immediately noticed a sizzling crack in my expansion tank / coolant tank. i came here first (of course) and noted that i'm not the only person that's had some issues with cracking...

bavarian autosport has the tank for $68.95, so i guess i'll be ordering a new tank ASAP. i'm fairly mechanical/technical, but i can't really seem to figure out how/where to loosen/remove the three hoses from my cracked tank.

would it be possible for someone to post a picture of their tank and draw some arrows to exactly where and tell me exactly how to remove the hoses?

i've seen some generic posts on DIY methods, but if possible i would appreciate more detail; i'm sure others (now and in the future) would definitely be greatful as well. i would GREATLY appreciate the assistance because i don't feel like dropping major cash at the stealer for a 30 minute job that i can perform in my own garage.

thank you for your time and thanks for making this a kick ass site.

david

Vonbimmer · #2 02-09-2008, 12:41 AM

David I don't have any drawings, but I can say that my tank on my 01' is headed in that same direction. That said I have also read it is wise to replace the radiator hoses, might as well while you are at it. Just a thought since you may need to bleed the air out of the system anyway.

www.pelicanparts.com has the tank as does www.bmaparts.com princing is about the same, but BavAuto may workout better shipping wise.

youry · #3 02-09-2008, 10:29 AM

Just changed mine 2 days ago.

1. detach air intake duct
2. remove intake air filter housing
3. to pull up the tank you should unlock 4 locking clips (red arrows). detach the radiator hose and those 2 hoses from the coolant tank.
4. pull out extension tank by detaching from radiator at top then pull up from mounting bracket at bottom. I wasn't able to detach the tank this way (its kind of a snap on system). It might work for you. make sure you don't pull out the radiator too. It should be powerful enough to unsnap (is this the right word?) the tank without removing unwanted parts.
If this doesn't work go to step 5

5. (if you could not remove the tank pulling it out). remove splash shield from under engine
6. unlock heat exchanger locking clip (green arrow in fig2).
7. detach the heat exchanger (you must drain the coolant first)
9. unplug the coolant level sensor
9. detach hose (blue arrow)
10. remove the tank. you will remove the tank together with the ATF heat exchanger connector (blue arrow)

the new tank comes without the ATF connector, coolant level sensor (number 5 in fig 1) and locking clip (number 4 in fig 1). you will use the ones that you have. be careful with the coolant level sensor. turn it clockwise slowly.

to mount the whole system back you will have to start with ATF heat exchanger connector. it goes on some kind of rail. then the heat exchanger and the tank. make sure you lock back all locking clips.
the heat exchanger has 2 x-rings. you might want to replace those. OEM-17101439140 at pelicanparts.com

Coolant filling:
1. turn ON the ignition (the engine should be OFF)
2. set the temp to 80 degrees
3. set blower to low
4. radiator bleed screw is loose (I have a bleeding screw on top of the radiator hose)
5. add coolant slowly
6. watch the bleed screw! when it starts to overflow stop adding coolant.
start the engine and let it run for 5-6 minutes. check the level coolant after the engine cools off. I used around a gal of coolant

enjoy! I bet you'll find other things to fix once you remove the splash shield cover. a leak here, a leak there, a cv boot.....

The insert image feature doesn't work (have no idea why) so I will post the links
Fig1
http://www.pbase.com/renem24/image/92719198

Fig2
http://www.pbase.com/renem24/image/92719199

turbo5 · #4 11-23-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youry

Just changed mine 2 days ago.

1. detach air intake duct
2. remove intake air filter housing
3. to pull up the tank you should unlock 4 locking clips (red arrows). detach the radiator hose and those 2 hoses from the coolant tank.
4. pull out extension tank by detaching from radiator at top then pull up from mounting bracket at bottom. I wasn't able to detach the tank this way (its kind of a snap on system). It might work for you. make sure you don't pull out the radiator too. It should be powerful enough to unsnap (is this the right word?) the tank without removing unwanted parts.
If this doesn't work go to step 5

5. (if you could not remove the tank pulling it out). remove splash shield from under engine
6. unlock heat exchanger locking clip (green arrow in fig2).
7. detach the heat exchanger (you must drain the coolant first)
9. unplug the coolant level sensor
9. detach hose (blue arrow)
10. remove the tank. you will remove the tank together with the ATF heat exchanger connector (blue arrow)

the new tank comes without the ATF connector, coolant level sensor (number 5 in fig 1) and locking clip (number 4 in fig 1). you will use the ones that you have. be careful with the coolant level sensor. turn it clockwise slowly.

to mount the whole system back you will have to start with ATF heat exchanger connector. it goes on some kind of rail. then the heat exchanger and the tank. make sure you lock back all locking clips.
the heat exchanger has 2 x-rings. you might want to replace those. OEM-17101439140 at pelicanparts.com

Coolant filling:
1. turn ON the ignition (the engine should be OFF)
2. set the temp to 80 degrees
3. set blower to low
4. radiator bleed screw is loose (I have a bleeding screw on top of the radiator hose)
5. add coolant slowly
6. watch the bleed screw! when it starts to overflow stop adding coolant.
start the engine and let it run for 5-6 minutes. check the level coolant after the engine cools off. I used around a gal of coolant

enjoy! I bet you'll find other things to fix once you remove the splash shield cover. a leak here, a leak there, a cv boot.....

The insert image feature doesn't work (have no idea why) so I will post the links
Fig1
http://www.pbase.com/renem24/image/92719198

Fig2
http://www.pbase.com/renem24/image/92719199

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to document the procedure. I just completed this on my 01' X5 and it was easy because of your post.

Cheers!

NYCSterling · #5 10-10-2011, 11:10 PM

I have joined the club - my tank cracked yesterday.. I disconnected the 2 top hose and the bottom hose and there was the vertical crack at the seam.
Gotta go get a new one tomorrow.

klnteg · #6 02-09-2008, 10:52 AM

I think his 01 4.4 is a different set up, in regards to the tank. I have the 00 4.4 and did mine 2 days ago hmmmmm weird? Anyways here's what I did
- Removed as much coolant from tank as I could using antifreeze tester and sucked it out.
- Remove two mounting bolts 10mm and turned so I could get more coolant out.
-then I tightend the bolts back up so I could remove the hoses (2) without breaking anything.
- you will get a little coolant to leak out once hoses are removed.
-the hose that goes to the back of engine I zip tied it up so coolant wouldn't leak out, same for the other hose I didn't zip tie it though.
-remove the mounting bolts 10mm and then disconnect the switch at bottom of tank.
-remove tank from vehicle and swap out any parts you need like bleeder or cap.
-install switch from old tank to new tank.
-install new tank in vehicle, connect all hoses and tighten bolts.
-slowly pour in fluid until full and then start the vehicle.
- I didn't bleed system because the fluid was still at the top of the hoses, and it worked great.

Hope that helps

youry · #7 02-09-2008, 10:55 AM

Ok, I forgot to mention that mine is a 2001 3.0L. I though they have the same tank

Sardonic · #8 02-09-2008, 12:01 PM

thank you for your responses so far. my ride is the '01 4.4i, so i do not have to mess with the air intake in order to switch out my expansion tank...thank goodness.

i have everything pretty much down expect for how exactly to remove the hoses where they connect with the expansion tank...please see the attached pic for more detail; it's a pic of the top expansion tank hose.

i'm pretty certain that i remove the hose(s) where i have the YELLOW arrow pointing, but i'm not certain where to go from there. for example, do i get a small screw driver and remove the very small black metal band (i have the yellow arrow pointing directly to the metal band)?? and then after that little band is removed, do i need to twist counter-clockwise/clockwise in order to get the hose completely off the tank??

hopefully this will give you all more insight as to the details that i'm needing...i've just heard that a bunch of people are cracking that top hose, and i don't want to screw it up and be out another $30-40.

villajoe · #9 02-09-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sardonic

thank you for your responses so far. my ride is the '01 4.4i, so i do not have to mess with the air intake in order to switch out my expansion tank...thank goodness.

i have everything pretty much down expect for how exactly to remove the hoses where they connect with the expansion tank...please see the attached pic for more detail; it's a pic of the top expansion tank hose.

i'm pretty certain that i remove the hose(s) where i have the YELLOW arrow pointing, but i'm not certain where to go from there. for example, do i get a small screw driver and remove the very small black metal band (i have the yellow arrow pointing directly to the metal band)?? and then after that little band is removed, do i need to twist counter-clockwise/clockwise in order to get the hose completely off the tank??

hopefully this will give you all more insight as to the details that i'm needing...i've just heard that a bunch of people are cracking that top hose, and i don't want to screw it up and be out another $30-40.

just pry up the metal c clip at the yellow arrow, and then pull the hose out with the plastic end attached. dont mess with anything near the red arrow.

Sardonic · #10 02-09-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villajoe

just pry up the metal c clip at the yellow arrow, and then pull the hose out with the plastic end attached. dont mess with anything near the red arrow.

thank you, villajoe. that's what i was looking for...so no turning the hose just a firm pull straight back out?

how many of these hoses will i have to disconnect in total...three, correct?

how much fluid leakage should i expect?

what coolant should i utilize to replace the loss?