Question: Preventive Maintenance - Radiator and Fan

[klebmw]

Hello all friends,
My 08 3.0si with 168K miles on and I drive this X5 every day to work. Since purchased this X5 when it was 65K Miles and I keep maintenance well. The truck is running smooth with no leak.

1. Water pump, belt/tensioner pulley replacement at 100K miles (maintenance)
2. Engine starter ignition replaced at 110K miles (failed)
3. Valve cover gasket, Oil filter housing gasket, Oil Pan gasket at 120K miles
(Valve cover gasket leak)
4. Lower control arms and struts at 125K miles (fail)
5. Sparks plugs and coils replaced 2nd time at 140K miles
6. Engine Manifold Gasket (leak and gas high mileage)
7. Fuel Pump replaced at 140K Miles
8. Alternator replaced at 145K Miles
9. Air blower motor etc.

I plan to drive this car for my upcoming 400 miles trip each way and I am thinking about replacing Radiator and fan since it has 168K mile on. However, Radiator is working good, no leak, and the radiator fan is working good also, kick on/off in time and no loud noise.

Do you think i should replace both of these since they are not failing? How often the radiator and fan failing on BMW E70?
The radiator fan is not cheap, which aftermarket fan brand is good beside OEM Brose?

Thank you!

[getty150]

OEM or aftermarket...fans are not cheap... personally i think aftermarket fans are better.
You are attempting a long trip with the car, you want to be comfortable and confident on the trip. If this is the case best to replace it all! I didn't hear you mention the expansion tank. That would be the area of focus for me. But you know your car better than me.
Some time ago...I started a discussion on what parts to take along on a long trip for emergency purposes.
My suggestion was expansion tank but that's NOT totally correct because the thermostat inside the tank usually breaks once the tank is removed and you'll need that! and your average repair shop won't have that little thermostat in stock.
There were many suggestions.
No matter what you've replaced
really best to plot a list of Indy shops along the route.

[andrewwynn]

On the e53, the in tank thermostat came with the new tank in my case.

My radiator made it to 205,000 when a deer helped find a big leak.

On that same car the fan died maybe 190,000 but e53/m54 has a mechanical fan so it's not as critical.

That said I drove my e70 for a couple weeks without a fan after I replaced the serpentine belt; the fan is only needed if the car isn't moving and it will give you overheat warning if the fan fails and you are stopped say in a drive through. (happened to me); I just found a side street without traffic and drove a few blocks and car cooled off immediately.

It's very very easy to replace the fan, so I wouldn't preemptively replace it since it's not "mission critical". The radiator I'll wait to see what people with higher mileage say. I know more about fuel pump, disa which I think your car may have two and may need a refresh.

[klebmw]

getty150, Which aftermarket fan do you think it's good? I found 4 seasons is the most expensive aftermarket fan.
i replaced expansion tank in 2019 with upper/lower coolant hoses as well.

Andrewynn, your input is great, i heard many people say it fails around 180K-220K.
I replace fuel bump already and also Disa valve when i replaced manifold gasket.

Thank you!

[andrewwynn]

It's a stupid simple repair. I would prob just make sure you have a 13-14mm wrench for the cross bar and nut driver or wrench for the overflow hose and have the fan at the ready vs. necessarily replace it.

When I started to overheat when I realized because I sat idling too long no fan, I realized just having a leaf blower in case I got stuck in traffic and had to pull over I could do some emergency cooling.

If it's in your budget replace fan preemptively is a good idea but keep the working pull if you have space in case of premature failure of the new fan.

[smassey321]

Radiator or fan failures are not that common. And when they do fail, it is a slow leak and does not leave you on the side of the road.

Waterpump to thermostat hose failures are very common and will disable your X5.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...537550062~ren/

[bcredliner]

The necessity of the fan to keep the engine cool depends on the outside temp, the engine, the speed one is able to travel, amount of stop and go and several other factors. Engine overheating can quickly cause serious damage. IMO, coolant leaks are one of those issues that should be addressed ASAP. Same goes for a radiator leak.

After, say 100,000 miles, there is no way to predict when either will fail or if they will give you any warning so you can avoid a breakdown. Whether you replace now or when there are symptoms depends on your risk tolerance. My risk tolerance for a breakdown is not very high. I have towing insurance for up to 200 miles. In the past several years I haven't driven it anywhere that is more than 100 miles away based on age of vehicle and miles on the clock.

If you have a mechanical pusher fan, consider replacing with an electric fan. I upgraded the mechanical fan to an electric one, have done that on almost every vehicle I've owned. I have a new upgraded radiator in storage.