Hi,

It's a 1992 I've owned since new. Small puddle forming underneath and
looked to be seeping from the base of the reservoir where it attaches to
the radiator housing. Most (here and elsewhere) suggested replacing the
entire radiator but I could not resist the possibility that only $8 of
o-rings might be all that was required vs. a $400+ radiator.

I drained the radiator, but not the block, removed one radiator clamp
(amazingly without it breaking), removed the upper retaining plate and
then gently pried the tank out. Once out, I cleaned the o-ring areas
etc, lubed the new ones with coolant, installed them and then gently
tapped the tank back in place (using wood block to buffer the mallet).

So far I've recorded about 500 miles on it without a drop of coolant
showing. Maybe I was lucky for once, but had to at least give it a try.
Too, I have the luxury (if you want to call it that) of another vehicle
to drive were it not to have worked.

Also, I read a lot indicating "USE ONLY BMW COOLANT!". Per two
different parts guys at the BMW dealer, the only real requirement is for
the coolant be void of nitrates and be non-phosphorous. Today the guy
said he knew Zerex made one (looks like it's their G-50). I use
Prestone Extended Life which has no nitrates or phosphorous.

Happy driving,
Nate
--
Why is it all the sensors seeking intelligent
life are pointed away from earth?

Fix 'geemale' to reply

"N Williamson" <Spudman27 (AT) geemale (DOT) com> wrote

<snippage>


My dealer said to use any *green* coolant.

joe_tide wrote:
few years time.

--
-Fred W

In article <1305or6jco8gcd5 (AT) corp (DOT) supernews.com>,
"joe_tide" <joetide (AT) nowhere (DOT) com> wrote:

I'd me at least a little leery of that blanket advice. I believe the
Prestone coolants other than Extended Life are also *green* but contain
some of the prohibited junk.

Nate

"N Williamson" <spudman27 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

I am leery of that advice. I just wanted to share what some of the dealers
are saying.

The light was coming on telling me the coolant level was low so I called the
dealer and asked about it. That's what they told me. I popped the hood and
took a peek. It was only down enough to let the light come on at start-up
for a few seconds then it went out. I put about 6 ounces of water in it and
it is OK now.

When it's time to flush the cooling system I'll use BMW coolant unless I run
across a persuasive reason not to.

In article <1307f5pehfsa4ae (AT) corp (DOT) supernews.com>,
"joe_tide" <joetide (AT) nowhere (DOT) com> wrote:

In that light I don't suppose a little 'bad' coolant added to the
existing would matter all that much.

I should have mentioned I use only distilled water for the cooling
system after learning the hard way what tap water can do to a heater
core (not a BMW though).

Nate