Solution to broken coolant return line
 

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.

your coolant color is green? the OE is blue.

Genius!

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!

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 :nanana:

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

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).

No Garage Queen here!
 

Guys, my X5 isn't some wannabe pimp ride, its my daily driver, and is well used for its intended purposes. Its got 184K on it, is parked outside, and the headlights are sandblasted opaque from normal use. It pulls a 20 ft. race car trailer, and hauls a crapload of band gear. I could give a crap what the overflow hose looks like, as long as it WORKS and doesn't disintegrate when I use NORMAL anti-freeze in it (that works with EVERY OTHER auto manufacturer's aluminum engines and cooling systems). I also don't care if there's some chemical reaction, as if there is, its likely better than the OEM part which DISINTEGRATES with predictability when used as designed! Did you notice that the cam cover paint is flaking off the heads from its many temp cycles?