F*$%! I popped the rad in the 740i!

1BADRIDE · 12-27-2004, 11:16 PM

Like the title says... was driving through Markville mall to meet the family for lunch, and POP, rad explodes on the 740i.

It's a certified series and still under warranty (has 66,000km on it). Will this be covered?

Anyone here work at a BMW dealership?

Quack · 12-27-2004, 11:40 PM

did it break at the plastic side tanks?, I heard of 540's breaking at the plastic side tanks before, the rad should be covered for 4yrs - 80,000km

1BADRIDE · 12-28-2004, 10:10 AM

Roadside assistance just picked up the car this morning.

Funny, they sent the same guy who pulled the 330Ci Cabrio out of a snowbank for me just 2 days earlier.

Dealership says it's covered.

Yup, 4" long crack in the plastic tank on the driver's side. Why would that piece be made of plastic?

Quack · 12-28-2004, 01:19 PM

they use the shitty plastic because it is cheap, & already mass produced for other vehicles as well, those cheap bastards

just325iS · 12-28-2004, 05:35 PM

Do what I did, go with a Fluidyne aluminium rad. You will never have to worry about it again.

1BADRIDE · 12-29-2004, 12:26 AM

Well, if it goes again and I still have the car, then I might just do that. It's already being done with a new stock replacement under warranty.

ibew595 · 12-30-2004, 12:46 AM

This is a common problem with the V8 engines in the 540/740s. It is either the radiator neck or expansion tank which WILL fail in the range of 38 to 80k miles (sorry). The prices for DIY have come down quite a bit from before. There will eventually be a aluminum radiator but it is still being developed. At least it was covered.

NB Euro Direct · 01-08-2005, 04:49 PM

Usually they will explode
a) cheap quality parts
b) air in the system

a)you can't really do much unless you go with a diff unit (or one thing i have learned when sometimes they don't crack they POP out(the plastic end tanks is that 2 belt or 3 will keep them firmly intact

b)minimize the air in the system(never leave it up to dealer to check)
if you have only water no spaces it can evaporate...
if it does that air will increase the pressure tremendeously and POP you have one...

Miguel · 01-10-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just325iS

Do what I did, go with a Fluidyne aluminium rad. You will never have to worry about it again.

damn! where'd you buy that and dare I ask what it cost?

Betray · 01-11-2005, 12:00 AM

WTF?!?! this shit better not happen to me

ibew595 · 01-11-2005, 03:09 AM

It will. FACT..
Betray, how many KMs do you have? It WILL happen anywhere from 45-120kKMs
Things to look for:
ANY white residue/spray.
That light which comes on is the possible death throes of the rad. The light may come on for who knows what (mine) and won't be the rad. but check really soon.
If you are looking for a aluminum rad for the car search BFC E38 they are still working on prototypes. They are available for "lesser;-)" BMWs but not for us yet. You will still need the expansion tank too. If you are nearing 100k KMs then buy a new rad and expansion tank. Better to shop around and have it on hand.

Betray · 01-11-2005, 06:44 PM

frig, im at 54,000km

i got warrenty for like another 2 years tho. but if it hits at 100km im gonna be pissed.. to tow it, to fix it, that will be like alot eh?

ibew595 · 01-12-2005, 12:11 PM

Radiators cost ~USD $160, expansion tanks ~35. Labor for DIY 1 12 pack of Labatts. Time= how long does it take to finish off a 12 pack, Eh?
Really, it isn't that bad. You should find a write up @ E38.org if you haven't looked there yet. But if you want to pay someone....I'm just guessing but I think I have heard ~4-500 USD at the high end.
When you reach 100+k if it isn't broken yet. FIX IT! The most mileage I have heard was 85k miles before it popped. Lowest 35k miles. Mine was done before I bought it at 40k miles. Avg. seems to be in the range of 55