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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1
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e36 Coolant Expansion Tank Replacement
I have a 1992 325is and my coolant expansion tank has a crack in it and is leaking coolant. I would appreciate it if anyone can direct me to a technical article on how to replace my coolant expansion tank or have their own procedure that will get the job done. Thanks
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07-15-2008, 07:53 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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Very easy, Remove the two fasteners at the top of the fan shroud , and the small vent hose attached to the right top of the radiator, opposite side of the tank.
Unplug the coolant level sensor plug at the bottom of the tank. Now the only tricky part is removing the fan blade. There is a large nut that has left hand threads on the back of the blade. I have the appropriate size wrench to fit it, but you don't find on that big in most peoples tool chest. The good news is a twelve inch cresent wrench will just barely go in there, but you will have to remove the top radiator hose for clearance. When you try to loosen the nut the water pump pully is just going to slip in the belt. Some one out there may have a better way, but I get the nut loose by giving the wrench a good stiff whack with a hammer, but remember it has left hand threads, so you have to hit it to the right. The blade will spin off of the pump shaft, don't try to take it out yet, Just let it sit in the shroud for now. Lift the shroud up until you have enough clearance to remove the hose from the bottom of the tank. Then lift the tank and shroud out of the car. Then just remove the tank from the shroud. Good luck.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone Last edited by coolbear1; 07-15-2008 at 06:41 PM.. |
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07-15-2008, 06:38 PM
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coolbear1's post sounds about right. I dont know if I would say "very easy" though especially if you still have the mech fan installed. I'll say "fairly easy".
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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07-16-2008, 10:03 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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Your correct Jaron,
I tend to overlook the trial and error I experienced when figuiring out how. It seems very easy if you have done it a few times, and if you keep an E36 for very long and work on it yourself, you will have to learn to remove the fan and shroud. And just about everything else plastic on the car for that matter. Truth, is I have owned E30s for as long as they have made them, and know less about working on them. Just drove them, and drove them. Most of the problems I have are a result of plastic. Too much cheap plastic in all cars these days. It just gets brittle and doesn't last.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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07-20-2008, 07:55 AM
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| coolant , expansion , leak , tank |
1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
