I'm about to order all the parts, etc to do the cooling system on my '97. With ~47k on the odometer, should I just go ahead and replace the radiator?
thanks,
Pete
thanks,
Pete
'97 1.9l cooling refresh
- Thread starter PeteTschantz
- Start date
raymond
Zorg Guru (I)
The cooling fan has a nasty habit of breaking up and damaging the radiator so it is a good idea to replace the fan. Radiators are quite cheap on ebay but get the right coolant from BMW
ordered the BMW coolant. Mine just has the electric fan, should I look at replacing that?
raymond
Zorg Guru (I)
When I say cooling fan I mean the viscous coupling that you find between the engine and the radiator. The fan before the radiator is for the air conditioning unit usually an option in UK cars
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lacement/18-WATER-Cooling_Fan_Replacement.htm
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lacement/18-WATER-Cooling_Fan_Replacement.htm
I understand. I'm saying the only fan on mine is the electric fan.... and it is behind the radiator
raymond
Zorg Guru (I)
That's good as the viscous fan has a habit of breaking up and taking out the radiator.
As long as your electric cooling fan cuts in and out as it should when up to temp. and also is quiet, ie. bearings not noisy, I would leave it alone. Re the radiator, personally I would back flush it with water and take note how much sludge comes out. I suspect at that mileage it will soon run clear, again, I would keep it. Water pump, thermostat and drive belt , tensioner and idlers I would replace.
Tony.
Tony.
thanks t-tony. I think that is my plan
I had a 2.0 6 cyl. Pete and the aux. belt idler pulley bearings got very noisy, very quick and was like a new car with that done with a new belt. Amazing how noisy old poly-vee belts get with age. Amazing how much HP is used driving a belt driven cooling fan, an electric fan frees up a lot of extra horses. A job I had back in the 70's saw me removing belt driven fans and fitting electric fan kits at a UK Chrysler garage on several models, the first of the "modern " upgrades.
Tony.
Tony.
thanks again Tony, I'm going to look at the idlers as well. Also needs new shoes, so I'm trying to be as efficient as possible...
Just try to do things in the order of most importance Pete. We're looking forward to coming over to our place in Fla. late October, hope we can skip the Hurricane this time. Be nice to have a chat when we're both on Eastern time.
Tony.
Tony.
Sounds good Tony!