Delete

[loesch]

Delete please

[Dackelone]

I think you will need a new radiator to go with the new engine you will need.

WHY drive the car 5 miles with no coolant? I hope I am wrong. Only one way to find out.


BMW engines do not like to run with no coolant. They cylinder head tends to warp or crack.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by loesch

I pulled over right away when the light came on and the level was only down to the low mark so I thought I could make it. I didn't know at the time how catastrophic the leak was. Are you telling a fact about the radiator needing to be replaced or are you just trying to make me feel worse than I already do?

Sorry, I did not mean to come across as being mean or anything. It just sounds to me like you broke the part of the radiator end cap where that green adaptor screws into the radiator end. IF that is indeed the case... I would replace the radiator. Maybe ask a dealer tech... I am sure someone there has also run into that problem.

Of course you could try something like JB weld(or some other type of epoxy)... but I would not want to risk that - on my own car. What if it ever failed? Far from home? Or worse at a track event or on a spirited drive. I've seen cars at the race track wreck from a blown radiator hose before. Sliding/skidding out of control from their own coolant leak. Thats not pretty.


I think the best thing is to take a good look at the threads of that plug and go from there. Maybe there was enough coolant still in your engine. I think the cooling system holds about 8 to 10 liters.

Good Luck

[loesch]

It has a part number and a price on realoem.com and it's just a little plastic piece. I'd be surprised if it wasn't replaceable. It just doesn't make sense how it's fastened in there. Part #02 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...80&hg=17&fg=05

[loesch]

haha. At least I'm not the only one...http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786230.

[e36addict]

That piece should be replaceable. I know it is on older cars. Just slides up in there and twists 1/4 turn to lock in place. As far as the engine goes, you should be fine. If you get it hot enough to do any sort of damage, the car won't even let you accelerate.. Ask me how I know

[MuNkY6913]

No lights or warnings? I say replace plug, fill it up and

[MuNkY6913]

Lol! I'm gonna leave that even though it's the wrong smilie. It's funny. was what it was supposed to be. That's what happens when you have fat fingers. Well I guess you did get coolant light but not over heating light so should be good to go.

[MR RIZK]

When I replaced the water pump on my 130i i bought a spare drain plug just in case. Mine was supplied with the inner and outer parts so if you haven't damaged the radiator i believe it is replaceable

[MuNkY6913]

Originally Posted by loesch

These engines are incredible. Even my dimwitted idea of driving without knowing how much coolant I had didn't seem to cause any problems. Just changed the oil and ran it hard and it seems completely normal. I'll update if something blows up but so far it's running fine.

Ef to the yeah!!! Called it.

[ShocknAwe]

FWIW most engines store a fair amount of coolant inside, then the rest in the radiator. So even if you completely empty the radiator, there's still a fair amount left in the engine.

Grain of salt: I don't know how much the N54/N55 holds % of total volume, but at least there was still some there. Sounds like it was enough to save your ass on the 5 mile drive.