Cracked Radiator: How and how $???
 

How does this happen? I thought it might of been a coolant tube, but it only leaks every two or three days.

Is it from a bump in the road or time? (2001 model).

I got a quote for like $700 with BMW parts. Is that about right?

overtime. i would check around and for that price you could get an all aluminum. ECS tuning will have a price to compare to

in the meantime, is it ok to just fill with water or should i be doing the coolant 50/50 mix

Considering your climate, you can get away with doing just water. Please don't drag it on for so long that you end up only running water as it has no properties to stop any potential rusting. For example, I run distilled water and Water Wetter in my bike since it stays in a heated garage and doesn't get run during the winter season. NO TAP WATER, only use distilled water, it's a measily $1 for a gallon. As for repairs, you might not want to hear this, but piece mealing the M62 cooling system is a no no. Be prepared, literally, to replace everything...radiator, thermostat, waterpump, expansion tank, valley pan gasket, hoses, BMW/Zerex G02 coolant, distilled water.

On top of owning two BMW's with M62 engines, I've worked on and been involved with COUNTLESS people who tried to essentially halfass repair the cooling system on these engines. It doesn't work, because as you replace one new item within the system, it just puts more pressure on the older remaining parts, so when they break, you'll be back on the side of the road doing it all over again. Also, bleeding the cooling system on this engine is critical, so even what you're attempting to do now with just topping off and continuing to drive the car is the epitome of a bandaid fix. If you need this vehicle, you need to replace these items asap before it snowballs into more. This may sound like scare tactics, but I've seen more than most poeple as to what can happen when people take the shortcuts.

:iagree:

I replaced part of my cooling sys (radiator and water pump) and blew a hose a few days later sitting at a stoplight. After that I just replaced everything, including all hoses (approx 10), and have been good ever since.

I got my radiator from radiatorbarn.com and it has survived 15,000 miles in Texas heat without problems. They have the 4.4 radiator for about $150 w/ Free Shipping.

+1,000,000. Do not skimp on this repair. As stated above, do it right the first time around or pay much more later.

anyone got a good local referral - san francisco bay area

swiss garage in larkspur. master bmw tech on duty. that's where all my work is done.

I agree with the comments on the cooling system, but do you really think the valley pan gasket needs to be replaced if it has not failed? It isn't really a redundant repair from a work standpoint other than the need to drain the coolant.

My expansion tank and water pump were replaced by BMW under CPO but that was 20K miles ago. I need to do the rest over the winter when I get some time. I was planning to replace the hoses, thermostat and radiator. No sign that the valley pan gasket is failing. Not sure if there is any difference in that in a 4.6 Alpina built motor in terms of how it was assembled.

You can pressure test the coolant system. My money is on the expansion tank / upper hose

Are you sure its' the Rad that is leaking ? Lower rad hose has a cheap plastic fitting that houses temp. sensor - seems to be a weak point on X5's

The dead giveaway of the valley pan gasket is if poeple are having a constant loss of coolant but can never find the water trail or any other visual clues. It's just like I mentioned though, newer parts will just show the weaknesses of old ones eventually.

I recently had my cracked radiator replaced from an Indy mechanic for around $300 plus.

I personally have one of these in mine, good quality and better price than most. And I can vouch for them having the X5 radiator in stock.

BMW 2003 X5 Radiators, AC Condensers, Fan Assemblies at USA Radiator

Radiatorbarn.com has them for about $30-$50 cheaper since they cost less and include shipping.

Once I get around to TT'ing the 7, I plan on getting this bad boy as well Zionsville Autosport: BMW E39 - E38 Super Duty Cooling Kit and it makes me curious to see if it'd fit inside the X as well.

There is a X variant. I spoke to Zions. awhile back, and they proceeded to make a model. However, at the cost of 4-5 OEM units.....is it worth it...if not the lifetime of ownership

I always have fears of overheating after the constant issues I always read about on the 7 forums, and since my X is just as heavy and same engine, I think that an even more efficient cooling system couldn't hurt when I finally FI the 7.

somewhat OT, but i noticed that my radiator is a lot darker and "stained" than what it was at some point. Is it still as effective as it should be?

How many miles are on it? I've a believer that they should be replaced on 80-100k mileage intervals instead of waiting till they actually break. My mom's 328ci just broke her radiator neck at only 60k, hence why I'd like to eventually step up to the plate and just get the all aluminum Zionsville unit. I've already ditched the fan clutch converted to electric fan, now I just want that radiator with their shroud.

Well i'm second owner, currently 84k miles...

i'd have to dig through the service records, but i doubt its been replaced..

Considering the cost, it's probably due...but then again so is everything else, which will multiply the cost. At almost 100k, this is probably the most expensive maintenance thing you'd ever have to do to the X, so depending on when you get rid of it, it may be your last if you sell it before hitting 200k.

haha thanks james :thumbup:

i'm prob keeping her through my college years, so considering i'm a sophomore now, i have about 40k more miles to go! I'll get my indy to check her out..

btw my CPO just ended 2 days ago i'm at this point.. :yikes:

just waiting for the self destruct feature that is programmed at the end of the warranty period to take effect..

NP brotha.

CPO ending is usually when things start happening, it's like they car just know...wtf is that about ;)

:yikes:

My CPO and maintenance plan ends next month. I have a cross country drive to do in early December to get home to Vegas. Hopefully the X5 can wait to fail until I get home.

You'll be fine, I'm just one who is proactive instead of reactive about maintenance.

I'm all over proactive maintenance, but I am a DIY'er and the lift from my garage was a bit heavy to schlep to DC for my 4 month stay. :D

Excuses excuses ;) I take my trailer with me now, tools, bike and all to Seattle, Reno or wherever for just in case reasons.

I've driven across the country 3x...once after leaving the military from Va Beach to return to Seattle, then from Seattle to Alexandria and back for while. What are you doing all the way out there?

I recently serviced my excuse generator, added synthetic oil and had the speed knob expanded to go to 11. :nanana:

Rotational assignment for 4 months. Drove b/c I wasn't going to give my dogs to the airline folks in July in Vegas. Limited room in the apartment for tools and definitely no room to park a trailer around here (Pentagon City).

So far so good except for all the darn "marches" on the mall. Can't get a day down there w/o some group of whiners clogging everything up while they trash the place. This Saturday was horrible. Place was a pigsty by noon and they wouldn't get out of the way for the vets who were visiting the WWII memorial (actual WWII vets). Pissed me off (my father is a WWII vet). :angryfire

Anyway, back to the X5. I'll do the full cooling system work as you suggested once I hit 80k miles. Probably do plugs and fuel filter at the same time. Already did the diffs and transfer case. Trans was replaced under CPO recently, so it's ok for now.

Have you seen the cooling system age out before hitting miles? I may not hit 80k for a year or so and the '05 X5 is a 11/04 production model.

I'd say wait till 100k, but have the funds ready for a rainy day.

GMS in Sunnyvale is a good Indy BMW/Mini Dealer. BMW, BMW Service, BMW Maintenance, BMW Repair, Sunnyvale is their website.

I just redid my whole cooling system on my 2001 530i with 95k on it. The connection point of the upper rad hose and rad was leaking. I replaced everything.

591 (400 part, 191 labor) plus tax original OEM part quote

gonna prolly get it done this week....

wish me luck


btw, i brought it to two garages - both said leaking radiator. not hoses or waterpump, etc.

You should consider replacing more than just the radiator and here is why:

Everything else is just as old and stressed as your radiator. They have to take hoses off your old radiator...that stresses them even further.

This is one of those repairs were the "while you're at its" can eat you up but in the case of your cooling system, it is not a bad idea to do this since everything will be apart. At the minimum, replace the upper/lower radiator hoses and expansion tank/hose along with the radiator. You might consider belts, too.

I can almost guarantee you that other stuff will start leaking after the radiator is done and you'll have to pay more money to go back in there and replace the next leaking item.

I did the whole cooling system at 95k on my car after the radiator was found leaking. I included a new water pump and thermostat/housing along with all new hoses, expansion tank, various sensors, etc.

$400 for a radiator is highway robbery. Go online to find one for half that cost.

Have you even read this thread? People have linked to radiator websites as low as $150 shipped. Since you're prepared to spend $600, do yourself a favor and replace the belts, hoses, and expansion tank while youre at it. Buy the parts online, and even with the labor you still might come in around the $600 mark and your X will be better off for it.

i know.... i know i can get it cheaper with aftermarket products or self ordering, etc. but i like the 'perception' that the garage can do a good job. another garage comes with a good referral. $700 for OEM radiator, all the hoses including bypass hose. I know it's pretty expensive, but it's OEM parts too.

i like the fact that he will do the ordering (or his own stock), etc. i've been reading some interesting threads about how things dont fit, supplier sent wrong part, some have wires that don't line up - all those worries that when you bring your own part into the shop, if it don't fit or work, i have to do all the leg work in contacting the supplier, sending it back, waiting for it again, and possibly even having to pay the garage to take my car apart even when it didnt work. if the garage orders it, they have to deal with it and make sure everything works. on top of that, if i drive off and one week later something is wrong, the garage can go back in take care of it since it's it's their work and their parts....

i really wish i was a DIY guy, trust me, but i dont have the time and more importantly skill to do a job like this. change a bulb, fix a few cosmetic things, or wash i'm game. going under the hood, i dont trust myself...

so help me and just let me know is 700 for the new OEM radiator, all the hoses, and labor - is this at least fair given that i am not going to order myself or use after market products? ( i have already confirmed it is a leaking radiator).

thanks in advance!