E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Radiator leaking?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-19-2018, 12:12 PM   #1
dannyjones
Lieutenant
82
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

Radiator leaking?

Hi all,

I'm losing coolant pretty quickly lately and always topping up with distilled water.
I think I've found where its leaking from, at the upper drivers side, where I think the radiator is plastic. Can anyone confirm this is definitely it from the pic before I go and spend $245 on a new one? It looks to me like it has to be the radiator because the water is coming from somewhere higher than the hose connection.
I was quoted $575 with labor to replace, so I think I'll try it myself. Doesn't look too difficult on the N54 - hoping the N55 is very similar.

Thanks!



Appreciate 0
      09-19-2018, 12:46 PM   #2
TheMidnightNarwhal
Major General
TheMidnightNarwhal's Avatar
Canada
2593
Rep
6,226
Posts

Drives: 11' 335is DCT
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Gatineau, Quebec

iTrader: (0)

I would rent a pressure tester first to make sure
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2018, 07:44 PM   #3
dannyjones
Lieutenant
82
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the reply. Would it give me any better idea than where that water is running though?

Just to be clear, the dark black area is wet. I don’t mean the stained part of the hoses where maybe something leaked in the past
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 07:12 AM   #4
deeLow
DOPE
deeLow's Avatar
148
Rep
758
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Earth

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyjones View Post
Thanks for the reply. Would it give me any better idea than where that water is running though?

Just to be clear, the dark black area is wet. I don't mean the stained part of the hoses where maybe something leaked in the past
After looking closer at your pic I'd say the radiator is cracked right there where it's wet. Go ahead and order a new one.

When the car is hot I bet you'll see bubbles coming right from that bend
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 08:34 AM   #5
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4275
Rep
9,205
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
I would rent a pressure tester first to make sure
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyjones View Post
Thanks for the reply. Would it give me any better idea than where that water is running though?

Just to be clear, the dark black area is wet. I don’t mean the stained part of the hoses where maybe something leaked in the past
Quote:
Originally Posted by deeLow View Post
After looking closer at your pic I'd say the radiator is cracked right there where it's wet. Go ahead and order a new one.

When the car is hot I bet you'll see bubbles coming right from that bend
The upper radiator coolant hose is leaking as well. Rein hose is the best from the aftermarket replacements. Nissen radiator.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 12:29 PM   #6
dannyjones
Lieutenant
82
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
The upper radiator coolant hose is leaking as well. Rein hose is the best from the aftermarket replacements. Nissen radiator.
Why are you so sure the hose is leaking? It doesn't seem to get wet even at temperature. Is it because of that staining? I'd rather do it all at once if really needed but want to be sure.

The photos were taken when the car was up to temperature btw.

Thanks for the replies all.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 12:33 PM   #7
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4275
Rep
9,205
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyjones View Post
Why are you so sure the hose is leaking? It doesn't seem to get wet even at temperature. Is it because of that staining? I'd rather do it all at once if really needed but want to be sure.

The photos were taken when the car was up to temperature btw.

Thanks for the replies all.
Because all develop pin hole leak where the mold was injected. Might not leak now beacause of the larger leak on the radiator. Clean it nicely and you will see.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 12:43 PM   #8
fravel
Colonel
fravel's Avatar
United_States
1645
Rep
2,494
Posts

Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: The Nasti 'Nati

iTrader: (1)

FWIW, my radiator failed at the same spot, so I'm gonna go ahead say yours is broken also.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 01:46 PM   #9
330istocknot
First Lieutenant
185
Rep
394
Posts

Drives: 330chino
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: chino

iTrader: (0)

Same exact thing happen to me, this is where it happened.






So what i did, was the following:

Open the coolant reservoir lid and leave it off.

Wait till car cools down so theres no pressure on the hoses.

Then you want to clean up the area until its fully dry.

then you wanna sand out the area till is nice and rough.

You want to get the red and black JB weld, throw some in there, wait 24 hours to dry and youre good to go! I have had it like this for about 4k miles now. still holding strong.

end result:
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2018, 03:06 PM   #10
dannyjones
Lieutenant
82
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 330istocknot View Post
Same exact thing happen to me, this is where it happened.






So what i did, was the following:

Open the coolant reservoir lid and leave it off.

Wait till car cools down so theres no pressure on the hoses.

Then you want to clean up the area until its fully dry.

then you wanna sand out the area till is nice and rough.

You want to get the red and black JB weld, throw some in there, wait 24 hours to dry and youre good to go! I have had it like this for about 4k miles now. still holding strong.

end result:
Wow, thanks, I really appreciate the pics and alternative fix - I'll give that a go - can't make it worse, and saves me several hours and $
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2018, 11:04 AM   #11
dannyjones
Lieutenant
82
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 330istocknot View Post
Same exact thing happen to me, this is where it happened.






So what i did, was the following:

Open the coolant reservoir lid and leave it off.

Wait till car cools down so theres no pressure on the hoses.

Then you want to clean up the area until its fully dry.

then you wanna sand out the area till is nice and rough.

You want to get the red and black JB weld, throw some in there, wait 24 hours to dry and youre good to go! I have had it like this for about 4k miles now. still holding strong.

end result:
Sorry to bump the thread, but did you drain your coolant? Coolant is seeping from that area even when it’s cold. Not sure it’s gonna dry and can’t really jb weld if it remains wet.
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2018, 03:00 PM   #12
srbarnes4ever
Private First Class
26
Rep
199
Posts

Drives: 07 335i E90 Sport
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Lexington Ky

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyjones View Post
Hi all,

I'm losing coolant pretty quickly lately and always topping up with distilled water.
I think I've found where its leaking from, at the upper drivers side, where I think the radiator is plastic. Can anyone confirm this is definitely it from the pic before I go and spend $245 on a new one? It looks to me like it has to be the radiator because the water is coming from somewhere higher than the hose connection.
I was quoted $575 with labor to replace, so I think I'll try it myself. Doesn't look too difficult on the N54 - hoping the N55 is very similar.

Thanks!





Mine failed at 122K in same area.....I ordered CSF radiator for automatic and have been thoroughly impressed!
__________________
07 335 E90 - MHD Stage 2+FMIC (Black)
11 X5 - MHD Stage 1+FMIC (Sapphire Black Metallic)
20 M340i X-Drive (Alpine White)
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2018, 12:48 PM   #13
330istocknot
First Lieutenant
185
Rep
394
Posts

Drives: 330chino
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: chino

iTrader: (0)

I didn't fully drain the coolant, i took out about a liter. It was not leaking before i did the JB weld. If it continue to leak after taking out some coolant, i would suggest fully draining the coolant or until theres no more leaking.
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2018, 09:24 PM   #14
Welcome to NBA Jam
Is it the shoes!?
Welcome to NBA Jam's Avatar
3884
Rep
5,113
Posts

Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

That's such a weird place for it to leak, but from some basic research, it looks like that's the most common failure point. Mine has no signs of leaking so far.

The radiator is easy to replace. The hardest part is removing the fan, which has some rubber grommets that can be a pain to get off. Silicone spray helps a great deal.

The jbweld solution is actually a pretty good idea. The leak is so small that this is a great application of it, especially in a pinch.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2018, 05:17 AM   #15
Socket
Lieutenant General
Socket's Avatar
4525
Rep
11,898
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Australia

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW E92  [0.00]
yeh upgrade to a stainless steel radiator for peace for mind

#waronplasticparts
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2018, 09:31 AM   #16
OP3NAIR
Second Lieutenant
68
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: '11 335i e93, '03 325xiT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam View Post
That's such a weird place for it to leak, but from some basic research, it looks like that's the most common failure point. Mine has no signs of leaking so far.

The radiator is easy to replace. The hardest part is removing the fan, which has some rubber grommets that can be a pain to get off. Silicone spray helps a great deal.

The jbweld solution is actually a pretty good idea. The leak is so small that this is a great application of it, especially in a pinch.
Its the perfect spot to spring a leak. A tight radius corner on the inside of a piece of plastic thats attached to a lever (hose) connected to a vibrating and rocking motor. If the radiator was going to crack, thats exactly where I would expect it to let go.
You can JB weld it in a pinch, but once the crack starts in the radiator tank, its going to keep going. The JB weld is really just sealing the leak. Sooner or later, you're going to still need a new radiator. Probably best to do it before the whole hose neck lets go. Upper radiator necks seem to be a BMW Achilles heel. I recall this being an issue at least back to e36s.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2018, 08:50 AM   #17
TheMidnightNarwhal
Major General
TheMidnightNarwhal's Avatar
Canada
2593
Rep
6,226
Posts

Drives: 11' 335is DCT
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Gatineau, Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam View Post
That's such a weird place for it to leak, but from some basic research, it looks like that's the most common failure point. Mine has no signs of leaking so far.

The radiator is easy to replace. The hardest part is removing the fan, which has some rubber grommets that can be a pain to get off. Silicone spray helps a great deal.

The jbweld solution is actually a pretty good idea. The leak is so small that this is a great application of it, especially in a pinch.
I'm an avid promoter of JB weld.

But in this I don't know if original JB weld or JB Plastic weld should be used.

Tried to JB weld the plastic headlights clips in the engine bay but it didn't really work.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2018, 09:29 AM   #18
Bali
E46 Fanatic
Bali's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: E46 E84 F15
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Riverside, CA

iTrader: (0)

If you do epoxy or JB Weld it, consider adding some reinforcement like fiberglass cloth or the like. Making it much stronger will help the fix last.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2018, 09:45 AM   #19
nsjames
Brigadier General
2440
Rep
4,333
Posts

Drives: 08 328xi Touring
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ohio

iTrader: (0)

I've done it with PC11. It's a semi permanent repair.
I had a Honda civic POS that cracked the top tank at a molded in mount boss, PC11 held on there for a year before it went to the scrap yard for a popped head gasket and massive blowby.
Appreciate 0
      11-02-2018, 11:43 AM   #20
redlineclipse
New Member
14
Rep
25
Posts

Drives: 07 335i
Join Date: May 2018
Location: South Carolina

iTrader: (0)

Mine was similar but different.

Keep an eye out for the vent tube too. I thought it was radiator....
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
coolant leak, radiator leak

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:33 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST