Radiator expansion tank replacement
 

Need some advice--- My expansion tank developed a leak and I need to replace it. The hoses going into the top of each side of the tank are without standard hose clamps. Looks like they are fastened with retainer clips of some sort. I am ordering a genuine BMW replacement with the level sensor and vent screw and also a new transmission thermostat. Anyone have any experience with tips to pass on? How long should it take me (backyard mech) to do the job? Thanks.

The tank will take you like 10 min to replace.

i beg to difer!!!

9 and a half minutes!!!

:nanana:

Lol

Just replaced mine the other day.
The upper hose is a pain to remove, you have to really wiggle it too get it off.
Good thing that you ordered a transmission thermostat I broke mine getting tank out.
I also picked up a new cap.
Somebody on the group mentioned about using a old cap to pry the tank out. Put a large screw driver under lip of cap and it pop right off.
Changed out water pump, thermostat and all the belts at 91K about a month ago. Cheap me didn't want to spend the money at the time for a new tank. The old saying "Pay me now or pay me a lot more later" which was for anti freeze.

Tackled this job this morning. Thanks to all for the advice. The three hoses popped off easily, two 10mm mounting nuts as well as the level sensor connector. I simply pulled the tank straight out. I did not see anything resembling the transmission thermostat in the vicinity. I must have a different model. Reversed the procedure, added BMW coolant and started the engine. Let it run for a while then burped the expansion tank when it was hot and bled a little air. All is well again.

which X5 do you have? its not identified in your signature like your 3 series is (330i). :)

Good call - just updated my profile to reflect 4.4i with N62 engine.

howdy, neighbor... i am in stafford, just a few miles further south...:thumbup:

Hey thanks for the shout out. I was surprised how smooth this went. From the time I pulled out my tools to starting the engine for a leak check after replacement was 20 minutes. I was advised to also buy a transmission thermostat which I had on hand but that thermostat is not attached to the expansion tank but on the radiator itself. Hope I can return it for a credit.