PLS HELP on my NISSENS Radiator

[e36Ballen]

So I'm about to install my radiator for my Z3 1.9 M44. And this is what I found:

As you can see on the pic, there's a crush washer ready. But the black surface is hard plastic. The metal is below it. Am I suppose to crush the washer or the washer that came with the new sensor on to the hard plastic? I was expecting it to be a flat metal surface.

Weird. I was not expecting to use a sealant here but it seems that I probably will have if it's not meant to be used with a washer. Anyone had done this or something similar? Thanks

 

[Mazza]

When I got a new rad a while back, it came with that hole was already blanked off. I didnt have to touch it.

There is a big brass cap on the right hand side.

I dont have a sensor fitted on mine.

 

[Stevo7682]

The hole is for the coolant fan thermal switch which as far as I know on the 4cyl engines only fitted only on m43 the m44 still uses viscous fan but m43 is electric.


Edit. You got me curious I changed my m43 radiator earlier this year still got old one so went for a look

this is the old rad and this is the blank that came in new one

 

[Stevo7682]

So went opened both bonnets
M43 looks like this with switch

And Lynne's m44 which does have a Nissens replacement radiator looking like this

 

[Jack Ratt]

There you go......sorted

Just be careful tightening the plug. Don't over do it. The plug should seat metal to metal, not metal to plastic so it should be easy to do

 

[t-tony]

I would use a rubber “O” ring and put the copper ring in a drawer.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

So went opened both bonnets
M43 looks like this with switch View attachment 123731
And Lynne's m44 which does have a Nissens replacement radiator looking like this View attachment 123733

Great explanation. I'm normally only 6 cylinders but my brother's Z3 is a 1.9 so useful to know.

 

[Ianmc]

The hole is for the coolant fan thermal switch which as far as I know on the 4cyl engines only fitted only on m43 the m44 still uses viscous fan but m43 is electric.

My M44 does not have a viscous fan. Factory original; maybe later cars had. Uses aircon fan for cooling engine.

 

[Stevo7682]

My M44 does not have a viscous fan. Factory original; maybe later cars had. Uses aircon fan for cooling engine.

Maybe it's the air con extra that deleted the viscous on yours

 

[e36Ballen]

So went opened both bonnets
M43 looks like this with switch View attachment 123731
And Lynne's m44 which does have a Nissens replacement radiator looking like this View attachment 123733

Thanks for looking. Appreciate it man. So it's meant to be this way? Copper washer is still needed?

I have these three.So basically mine has the sensor.

But tony's advise of using rubber o-ring also makes sense.

 

[GZed]

You’ll soon come to find that Tony’s advice always makes sense!

 

[Stevo7682]

As you can see the above the EIS radiator I purchased for the Dakar has a plastic bung with rubber seal ( I didn't need it as have electric fan in that one )
But th Nissens radiator in Lynne's zed was in it when bought as has same blank with copper seal as yours and it's fine

 

[e36Ballen]

UPDATE: Never got the chance to do this earlier but I pulled the original radiator out and to my surprise, the original temp switch and original radiator didn't even need a washer!

Temp Switch Date: UnknownMonth.30.1996
Radiator Date (Hard to See, it's faded): 09.96

So it's true what others have said, you can just seat the temp switch on to the plastic. Washer is optional.