Cooling System Renovation

[elerner61]

Based on age alone, all of our cooling systems are probably overdue for some level of renovation (reservoir at a minimum) yet I haven't seen much chatter about people doing them. I'm about to install a new brake master cylinder, as it seems I've got some aging seals. The coolant reservoir has to come out for the swap so I'll be replacing it.

In general, have people been replacing their coolant reservoirs or keeping their fingers crossed?

[inTgr8r]

This is on my list this year.
I've had the parts for a while now and just kept putting it off.
I'll be doing hoses and reservoir.

[1stw0rldpr0blems]

I over hauled my entire cooling system when my water pump started leaking. New water pump, thermostatat, hoses, expansion tank w/ cap, radiator. I did it all at the same time so I won't have to think about that ever again. If I remember correctly, radiator was surprisingly cheap, like around $75 since its shared with regular E46 3 series cars. Its been a while, but I also remember something about the radiator being the same for automatic or manual transmission cars but the manuals you have to leave something capped off whereas the automatics use an additional port for the transmission fluid cooling.

[jwolf]

I suggest doing it all. FYI, you do have to jack up the motor to get the water pump out on the 2003-2005 models. The electric pump cars are harder I think due to a cross brace. I did the tank, radiator, upper hose, lower hose, thermostat. I did NOT do the heater hoses since they are on the cold side of the motor and seemed OK. I think I would do the Expansion Tank Mounting Bracket if I had it to do over. The goal is to refresh so it all fails at the same time. Not 1 piece ever 10k. It is easy to damage the plastic pulley getting it off the pump, so order that too, in my opinion. The motor lift is easy, just one easy to access motor mount bolt to remove.



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BMW Expansion Tank
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$99.99

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BMW Water Pump
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$48.57

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BMW Thermostat Assembly
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$42.22

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BMW Hex Bolt With Washer
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BMW Radiator Hose
Genuine bmw - SKU: BMW-17127535591
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$79.49

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BMW Radiator Hose Upper
Rein logo - SKU: CRP-CHR0379R
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BMW Plastic Water Pump Pulley
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BMW Auxiliary Fan Switch
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[T-Bears]

My reservoir started leaking around maybe 120k, but after I removed it I noticed the other cooling system components were also going bad. I ended up replacing everything excluding the water pump until a few days ago. At 144k the water pump had wobbly bearings just in time for me to get rid of it, just raise the engine a bit on the driver-side.

[bosstones]

I've been meaning to get around to this as well (preventatively). I'm only at ~46k but still original parts (washer pump doesn't count...lol). I saw a complete E86 kit at FCP for somewhere around 1k but I just ordered a bunch of parts for N55 maintenance and got a little wallet shy. I'm also eyeing a quickjack so I need to space out my car-related economy boosters. Married folks will understand.

[1stw0rldpr0blems]

Looks like the OP has an S54 powered Z4 and I can assure you the motor does not need to be jacked up to remove the water pump. You will have to raise the front of the car off the ground to remove underbody panels and gain access to bolts/screws needed to come off to remove the fan/radiator.

I also replaced the belt tensioners at the same time and I find removing the belt and replacing pulleys/tensioners easier to do from under the car vs from on top.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by 1stw0rldpr0blems

Looks like the OP has an S54 powered Z4 and I can assure you the motor does not need to be jacked up to remove the water pump. You will have to raise the front of the car off the ground to remove underbody panels and gain access to bolts/screws needed to come off to remove the fan/radiator.

I also replaced the belt tensioners at the same time and I find removing the belt and replacing pulleys/tensioners easier to do from under the car vs from on top.

Indeed I do. I replaced the water pump roughly two years ago to resolve an intermittent noise (which it didn't) and start in on proactively renovating the cooling system. I did not have to get underneath the car, it wasn't necessary to remove the electric fan or the radiator. I referenced the replacement instructions on the Pelican Parts site and that worked well. The hardest part of the job was removing the small section of "water coolant pipe" on the back of the pump from the engine so I could swap in the second "O" ring and then replacing that pipe. I had to use a dead blow hammer to reinstall the water pipe since there was very little room to work in.

[Frostistamundo]

2007 E86 3.0si.. Getting ready to do preventive maintenance at 51k miles. Replace Expansion tank, cap, sensor, tank hose, upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose and aux. fan sensor.. Would prefer to do the labor myself but can't seem to find any you tube or? guidance. Yes, I am mechanicaly inclined to a point. Anyone point me in the right direction. Unfortunately, have not been successful in hooking up with other Z4 owners in Central Arkansas yet.
Thanks much. Yes, I follow multiple Z Facebook groups.

[Clearancediver]

Google is your friend…..

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bmw+z...;client=safari

[DRandall]

I recently wanted a radiator flush and fill on my ‘03. When the plastic radiator drain plug snapped…i said, okay. The plastic is officially brittle now. so let’s be proactive. Replaced radiator, expansion tank, upper and lower hoses, plus thermostat and coolant sensor.

[grannyknot]

The radiator seems to fine but everything else in the cooling system is being replaced this winter, still no leaks of any kind.