Coolant Expansion Tank leaking

DukeDvl007 · 12-13-2018, 09:30 PM

So I just had a coolant pressure test and it's time to replace my expansion tank due to a small crack causing a leak. Any reason to have to pay double for OEM vs aftermarket tanks? Also should I use somewhere other than ECStuning? '11 N55 335i

arkie6 · 12-14-2018, 08:46 AM

BMW doesn't make the expansion tank. As long as it is an OEM for BMW and not some Chinese cloned part, I have had no issues with OEM parts.

Checkout FCPeuro.com and RMeuropean.com also for BMW and BMW OEM parts.

Wolf 335 · 12-14-2018, 10:34 AM

I know this is not the most ethical thing to do, but on my old 540i coolant tank developed a 4" crack on its side.

As a temporary measure (until I sourced a new one at that time) I super glued that crack (few coats).

Well lets just say I never ended up getting a new tank. Thing lasted another 4 years until I got rid of the car.

Side note: I recently discovered that putting baking soda on super glue makes it harden a lot faster.

mojobmw_e90 · 12-14-2018, 10:41 AM

My oem tank leaked after me owning the car 5yrs..weird part is it started to leak when I went to dealer for a recall. Only time car ever touched the dealer lot.. Weird lol

DukeDvl007 · 12-17-2018, 10:36 AM

FEBI BILSTEIN vs REIN AUTOMOTIVE? Anyone have experience with these brands? Thanks for all the replies!!

QuebecDIY · 12-27-2018, 10:55 PM

Junk yard.

You'll get OEM for cheap

Boland01 · 12-29-2018, 08:27 AM

You might want to also consider a new coolant crossover pipe. it's the small pipe that goes across the top of the radiator. Connects the radiator to the overflow tank. At least on the N54 these get so brittle with age if you touch them they break.

arkie6 · 12-29-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boland01

You might want to also consider a new coolant crossover pipe. it's the small pipe that goes across the top of the radiator. Connects the radiator to the overflow tank. At least on the N54 these get so brittle with age if you touch them they break.

I agree. I went to change mine proactively a while back along with the main radiator hoses, and the small rigid tube running across the top of the fan fell apart when I tried to remove it. What prompted me to replace these hoses was a failure of the plastic hose fitting on the hose that goes from the front of the head down to the water pump/ thermostat. That plastic fitting sheared in two and dumped all of my coolant. I replaced that fitting with an aluminum after-market fitting.

Bmmrr · 12-29-2018, 10:37 AM

Hi

I recently replaced my expansion tank on the third attempt.
ECP and than GSF both sold me tanks for my 335i lci and both were not the right fitment.
I finally bought one direct from Febi Bilstein for less than £60, half what BMW wanted for one.
No issues yet but I expect it would at least last a couple of years or more as it comes with a two year guarantee.

My opinion on buying OE parts is that they are not always the best quality, if they were why would some of them fail so quickly. I suppose as long as you buy from a decent company and not cheap items on eBay than you should be alright.
Having said that, some parts I would only buy OE, like some sensors and service parts.

12-13-2018, 09:30 PM	#1
DukeDvl007 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335I N55 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Pensacola, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335I [0.00]	Coolant Expansion Tank leaking So I just had a coolant pressure test and it's time to replace my expansion tank due to a small crack causing a leak. Any reason to have to pay double for OEM vs aftermarket tanks? Also should I use somewhere other than ECStuning? '11 N55 335i
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12-14-2018, 08:46 AM	#2
arkie6 Lieutenant 397 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Russellville, AR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	BMW doesn't make the expansion tank. As long as it is an OEM for BMW and not some Chinese cloned part, I have had no issues with OEM parts. Checkout FCPeuro.com and RMeuropean.com also for BMW and BMW OEM parts.
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12-14-2018, 10:34 AM	#3
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	I know this is not the most ethical thing to do, but on my old 540i coolant tank developed a 4" crack on its side. As a temporary measure (until I sourced a new one at that time) I super glued that crack (few coats). Well lets just say I never ended up getting a new tank. Thing lasted another 4 years until I got rid of the car. Side note: I recently discovered that putting baking soda on super glue makes it harden a lot faster.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-14-2018, 10:41 AM	#4
mojobmw_e90 Major 380 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 2014 E63S Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (3)	My oem tank leaked after me owning the car 5yrs..weird part is it started to leak when I went to dealer for a recall. Only time car ever touched the dealer lot.. Weird lol
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12-17-2018, 10:36 AM	#5
DukeDvl007 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335I N55 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Pensacola, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335I [0.00]	FEBI BILSTEIN vs REIN AUTOMOTIVE? Anyone have experience with these brands? Thanks for all the replies!!
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12-27-2018, 10:55 PM	#6
QuebecDIY Private 54 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 135i 2008 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Junk yard. You'll get OEM for cheap
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12-29-2018, 08:27 AM	#7
Boland01 Lieutenant 149 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2010 535ix, 2008, 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Magnolia, TX iTrader: (0)	You might want to also consider a new coolant crossover pipe. it's the small pipe that goes across the top of the radiator. Connects the radiator to the overflow tank. At least on the N54 these get so brittle with age if you touch them they break.
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12-29-2018, 10:37 AM	#9
Bmmrr New Member 11 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E92 335i lci Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: London, England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335i [0.00]	Hi I recently replaced my expansion tank on the third attempt. ECP and than GSF both sold me tanks for my 335i lci and both were not the right fitment. I finally bought one direct from Febi Bilstein for less than £60, half what BMW wanted for one. No issues yet but I expect it would at least last a couple of years or more as it comes with a two year guarantee. My opinion on buying OE parts is that they are not always the best quality, if they were why would some of them fail so quickly. I suppose as long as you buy from a decent company and not cheap items on eBay than you should be alright. Having said that, some parts I would only buy OE, like some sensors and service parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote