[stashtrey]

Tuesday I had the misfortune of having the cheap, plastic 'vent line' that runs from the coolant reservoir, across the top of the radiator (under the intake duct) and to the other side. Both ends of this plastic tube, #17127565094, feed into heavy duty coolant hose.

Why would BMW choose to run a plastic tube across the top of a radiator in a notoriously oven-hot engine compartment? Not sure... but if you are getting up there this is a very real possibility. This tube will become brittle and can crack... emptying your coolant all over the fan and spraying it all over the engine and hood and everything in between.

It happened to me... oddly it happened to another member the very next day.

This is an extremely easy fix. $50 part at the dealership (possibly less online) and a couple of hose clamps. You'd likely need to purge/flush the coolant system but that's better than getting stuck on the side of a highway in the middle of nowhere!

Even more disappointing... the very next day (yesterday) my water pump failed. Glorious.

Two tows in two days.

I'd highly recommend swapping this part if you're over 50K for piece of mind.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Good tip.
Those pesky water pumps love going on these cars. Typically around 70K mark.

[Jklad]

When I had my wastegates replaced, one item on the work order showed that the tech damaged this hose by accidentally nicking it, (maybe he did me a favor??) so it was replaced w a fresh new one. Thank goodness, after hearing your story.

[stashtrey]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Good tip.
Those pesky water pumps love going on these cars. Typically around 70K mark.

I made it to 80K. Should have kept the car at the mechanic to do the water pump the other night but it was running and I needed my car. Get it back tomorrow. Then taking it back next week to do the valve cover gasket. Not up to the task this time on a DIY.

[bcornwellatl]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Tuesday I had the misfortune of having the cheap, plastic 'vent line' that runs from the coolant reservoir, across the top of the radiator (under the intake duct) and to the other side. Both ends of this plastic tube, #17127565094, feed into heavy duty coolant hose.

Why would BMW choose to run a plastic tube across the top of a radiator in a notoriously oven-hot engine compartment? Not sure... but if you are getting up there this is a very real possibility. This tube will become brittle and can crack... emptying your coolant all over the fan and spraying it all over the engine and hood and everything in between.

It happened to me... oddly it happened to another member the very next day.

This is an extremely easy fix. $50 part at the dealership (possibly less online) and a couple of hose clamps. You'd likely need to purge/flush the coolant system but that's better than getting stuck on the side of a highway in the middle of nowhere!

Even more disappointing... the very next day (yesterday) my water pump failed. Glorious.

Two tows in two days.

I'd highly recommend swapping this part if you're over 50K for piece of mind.

Ah shit this just happened to me today!!! went into die mode and wouldn't run - then had it towed to BMW so they can replace the water pump, thermostat and whatever else is in there... I'm going to mention that hose to them also... wonder if its the super cold vortex causing problems with our cars must be something to have people have the same problems... (or just crappy cheap cutting corners to make money).

[stashtrey]

Originally Posted by bcornwellatl

Ah shit this just happened to me today!!! went into die mode and wouldn't run - then had it towed to BMW so they can replace the water pump, thermostat and whatever else is in there... I'm going to mention that hose to them also... wonder if its the super cold vortex causing problems with our cars must be something to have people have the same problems... (or just crappy cheap cutting corners to make money).

My mechanic is super old school BMW... he was cussing and all pissed off to see the cheap plastic tube and couldn't believe BMW would put that right on top of a radiator and in between two heavy duty coolant hoses. Doesn't make any sense and obviously can cripple and even destroy the engine for the not-so-smart driver that thinks the coolant light is just a gentle warning or not a big deal.

Mine was like a twig... brittle and literally cracked apart as I squeezed on it with my fingers. Totally baked/broiled.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

I made it to 80K. Should have kept the car at the mechanic to do the water pump the other night but it was running and I needed my car. Get it back tomorrow. Then taking it back next week to do the valve cover gasket. Not up to the task this time on a DIY.

Yea 80 is about when they go. That's why I tell people by 70K it should be done. Few guys had them fail before 70K even still.

[stashtrey]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Yea 80 is about when they go. That's why I tell people by 70K it should be done. Few guys had them fail before 70K even still.

What's a bummer is I had my car at the mechanic Tuesday night and was 50/50 on just having him keep it and do the water pump due to the coolant tube bursting... I knew it was coming. Next time I will go with my gut. Thankfully I wasn't in the freeway when the water pump failed. That's some scary stuff!! Turned into oncoming traffic to roll into a parking lot and barely made it... went back 3 hours later and nursed it the mile back to my house. Flatbed to mechanic this morning.

BTW - AAA Premium is worth every single penny. Two tows in two days... one was 45 miles and another 20+. All I had to do was give them my membership #. Highly recommend...especially if you haven't replaced your water pump!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

What's a bummer is I had my car at the mechanic Tuesday night and was 50/50 on just having him keep it and do the water pump due to the coolant tube bursting... I knew it was coming. Next time I will go with my gut. Thankfully I wasn't in the freeway when the water pump failed. That's some scary stuff!! Turned into oncoming traffic to roll into a parking lot and barely made it... went back 3 hours later and nursed it the mile back to my house. Flatbed to mechanic this morning.

BTW - AAA Premium is worth every single penny. Two tows in two days... one was 45 miles and another 20+. All I had to do was give them my membership #. Highly recommend...especially if you haven't replaced your water pump!

Every German car needs AAA after warranty is up, for sure, LOL
As well as most others cars too

[_ink]

Anyway to replace this with something else other than the oem plastic?

Maybe heavy duty hose with some barb fittings?

[DeeDubauWhy]

anyone happen to have pictures of this? kinda has me on edge to check when i go back to the car and if i should order the part asap

[bigtigga01]

Had the same part blow on me. Then while replacing it the "PLASTIC" nipple on the upper radiator hose snap off. Why the hell are there so many plastic parts for the cooling system. Plastic endcaps on the radiator that crack or blow and plastic waterpumps that crack. I've even had the plastic coolant level check stem break on me.

[ken1137]

Stay home today

[Maniac0908]

Originally Posted by DeeDubauWhy

anyone happen to have pictures of this? kinda has me on edge to check when i go back to the car and if i should order the part asap

+1

[Maniac0908]

Originally Posted by _ink

Anyway to replace this with something else other than the oem plastic?

Maybe heavy duty hose with some barb fittings?

Im going to try to do this to. Knowing the dealership this hose will cost 1000k. Ill go to parts store and get some tubing and clamps.

[shadow191]

I believe this is what you're trying to do?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=coolant+hose

[Maniac0908]

Originally Posted by shadow191

I believe this is what you're trying to do?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=coolant+hose

Yup! Cool thanks man!

[C.Pop]

I ended up replacing mine with a stainless steel line. Same thing -I touched it and it ruptured. I didn't like that location for plastic hence the material change. If I recall correctly, I used a flared (rigid) brake line and just cut to length (filed the end and ensured cleanliness prior to installation). Cost like $3.

[Augster]

Interesting. And I just saw post by robc1976 regarding this same failure wherein he went ahead a custom built a stainless steel braided line with AN fittings.

If I knew of this seemingly common failure before, I would have replaced it when I replaced my expansion tank, or even now as I await the parts to replace my engine block coolant pipe.

I'll just wait until I replace the turbos to do this since I will yet again be draining the coolant for that project. Although an SS AN setup would certainly be studly, will be sticking to OEM for this...

[Augster]

Originally Posted by bigtigga01

I've even had the plastic coolant level check stem break on me.

You're the second person to mention a broken coolant level stick: mine was broken from the previous owner, hence my ET replacement a month ago.

[bigtigga01]

Originally Posted by Augster

You're the second person to mention a broken coolant level stick: mine was broken from the previous owner, hence my ET replacement a month ago.

Yeap and I'm not buying a whole new tank just to replace that stem.

[blisstik]

Mine went out at 92250. Got a new pump and T-stat for a DIY. Pain in the ass to install.