Solution to broken coolant return line

[MHKitchen]

Just found that my 2nd replacement coolant overflow line grew brittle and disintegrated. You'd think BMW would figure out how to make this out of a material that's up to the job and BMW's reputation? Fed up with the OEM parts turning to dust, I came up with a simple replacement. Just went to the hardware store and bough some copper tubing. Used the existing rubber ends to secure it with hose clamps, and voila!, Problem solved! No more broken lines and leaking coolant!

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by MHKitchen

Just found that my 2nd replacement coolant overflow line grew brittle and disintegrated. You'd think BMW would figure out how to make this out of a material that's up to the job and BMW's reputation? Fed up with the OEM parts turning to dust, I came up with a simple replacement. Just went to the hardware store and bough some copper tubing. Used the existing rubber ends to secure it with hose clamps, and voila!, Problem solved! No more broken lines and leaking coolant!

Good idea! That piece has failed on me twice.

[wigner]

your coolant color is green? the OE is blue.

[CTSportX5]

Genius!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by MHKitchen

Just found that my 2nd replacement coolant overflow line grew brittle and disintegrated. You'd think BMW would figure out how to make this out of a material that's up to the job and BMW's reputation? Fed up with the OEM parts turning to dust, I came up with a simple replacement. Just went to the hardware store and bough some copper tubing. Used the existing rubber ends to secure it with hose clamps, and voila!, Problem solved! No more broken lines and leaking coolant!

9 years and over 150 k miles on the OE tube here with no issues except for having to replace the waterpump, expansion tank and upper radiator hose. Using BMW coolant and distilled water, replacing every 2 years.
If you're using non-approved coolant and/or tapwater, you could be causing the issue. Don't believe Danica P, when you Peak, you lose!

[bastereo]

I am sorry, that looks terrible to me.
It should work, but dang, its ugly.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by bastereo

I am sorry, that looks terrible to me.
It should work, but dang, its ugly.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

Ugly tupe works great...beauty shit break

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

Ugly tupe works great...beauty shit break

No guarantee it "works great". When a vehicle manufacturer (like BMW)has a fluid (like antifreeze) formulated for a vehicle. The fluid manufacturer is given a list of materials the fluid will come in contact with, and therefore is required to NOT interact with or degrade. Throwing non-BMW-approved materials at the problem is hardly "I came up with a better solution to the problem" post worthy. FWIW, whenever I shop for a vehicle and see things such as this, I run! If I can see "shoemaker" repairs on inexpensive items first glance, I wonder, what other hokey repairs have been done on the vehicle?

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by bastereo

I am sorry, that looks terrible to me.
It should work, but dang, its ugly.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

And you one of those guys who need rocket scientist to change the headlights bulbs too?

[wigner]

not just cosmetic point of view, it does not seem to be a good idea. I would worry about sort of chemical reaction between the Cu tube and the coolant solution(acid).