[hdrewh]

Hi Guys,

Had the low coolant light come on, nothing on the ground, so went underneath to investigate, and saw that the leak started from the top. Turns out the plastic "elbow" on the driver's side that seems to be an integral part of the radiator itself is "weeping", from a hairline crack barely visible to the naked eye.

Short video:
http://www.slt1.com/E90RadLeak1.mp4

Pic below points to the crack location (screen grab from realOEM)

Do I have to replace the whole radiator for this?

Appreciate any input.

[Tunafish]

I would replace the whole radiator..

[tcphoto]

I seriously think that it’s best to replace the radiator. I remember doing it on my old E46, it was very easy and gave me peace of mind. The Behr (middle price) is $143 online plus coolant that can be picked up at a dealership.

[E92William]

That's the same point my radiator started to weep out of. Small pin hole leak but who knows if the whole elbow could crack off one day. I'd change it out. You can stick some glue over the hole for a few days that's what I did while I waited to get the replacement one.

[hdrewh]

Appreciate the replies. Lathered on some JB plastic weld for now, will order a new one and start reviewing DIYs.

[6Inarowmakesitgo!]

I have had horrible luck with the Behr brand rads for the e90 recently, they all leaked within a day of install. I currently have an oreilly spectra brand rad and it’s quite well built and no leaks.

The Behr ones actually had multiple tabs that were not crimped! The spectra one looked closer to the OEM that was installed at the factory.

[Efthreeoh]

I'll assume you bought the car used. The radiator hoses are a severe bitch to remove once they've been connected to the bib side of the radiator for a few years. If someone in the past tried to remove the top rad hose, they probably over-flexed the elbow and weakened the plastic, which now has started to leak.

Too bad to hear the Behr replacements have quality issues. I have one in my E90, and it's been good for 50,000 miles so far.

[lookalikehuuh]

I have BEHR radiators in all E90s in my family (2 mine, 1 brother) and none of them have any any quality issues at all. 2 of them are at least 2-3 years old and 1 I changed out in April with no issues so far on any of them.

[E92William]

I have a Chinese piece of junk from Sunbelt radiators which was I believe like 70 bucks and it's been perfect. Only issue was one side of the radiator didn't fully line up where it's suppose to bolt up top. But given how many people I've seen having issues with Behr radiators I'm not complaining

[mousefarmer]

You have to replace it man. I had the same thing on my N51 328i and tried plastic welding it. None of it worked and ended up having the dealer replace it for free under the SULEV warranty. It would have been like $600 for just the N51 radiator part alone without the warranty. The N52 one is much cheaper, like under $200 I think but not covered under warranty.


"BMW's are plastic pieces of junk" - Scotty Kilmer

[bluewater328]

Plan on replacing. JB Radiator weld will hold it for awhile, but you'll eventually need to replace the whole thing. But rest assured if you're not overheating right now, it'll hold long enough for the repair part to come in.

And when you do start to replace, be committed. That hairline ended with this pic when I went to remove the upper rad. I am by no means gorilla or gifted physically...it just crumbled.

I went with Nissens and you'll see my story if you search. Also tells you how to treat the aftermarket plugs. Make sure you bleed well, but I've been fine since that episode.

I think the CSF overbuilt ones are on sale for the holidays. If the application applies to you, it's a step up with a metal upper rad connection instead of the cheap plastic. Also keeps temps pretty low.

[bluewater328]

Just wanted to add, if you're still waiting on parts, while the hairline doesn't catastrophically fail, it will weap and you will lose coolant little by little. Just check the reservoir daily till you replace. Of course if you see a yellow or red light, do stop and pull over.

[Nando_e90]

I have the exact same leak as the OP on my 06 330i. At this time, I am getting a "low coolant" warning every two days. It has been getting worse. Before it was every two weeks, then every week. Of course I'll replace it, but at the moment I was thinking on applying some JB weld. I was wondering how long a JB weld repair can last?
Any response is appreciated

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by Nando93

I have the exact same leak as the OP on my 06 330i. At this time, I am getting a "low coolant" warning every other day. It has been getting worse. Before it was every two weeks, then every week. Of course I'll replace it, but at the moment I was thinking of applying some JB weld. I was wondering how long a JB weld repair can last?
Any response is appreciated

I think it will leak even with JB Weld. I plastic welded and kept the leak down for a few months. You could probably keep the leak reduced for maybe a year but will still have to keep adding coolant.

Its really risky though because the plastic is basically weakened. When I took off the hose on the top, pieces of the plastic could be easily broken off with my hand. Plastic shouldn't be used for such an application but the geniuses at BMW decided this sort of plastic was fine.

I kept the plastic weld on for a few months and then scraped it off with a screwdriver in the parking lot across from BMW when I had the warranty appointment scheduled and let them replace it for free under SULEV.

[hdrewh]

OP here, some reason I stopped getting notifications for this thread until today.

Update: JB Weld didn't really help so...Nissens radiator, upper and lower hoses, gallon of OEM coolant, Cyber Monday discount...total $200 from FCP Euro delivered in one day. Nice.

Only glitch, I was initially confused about the right and left side bottom plugs and how they are secured, broke a short one, replaced with BMW as they are identical, another $20 at the dealer. Ultimately for my car (MT) I need short plugs on both sides of the radiator.

Couple hours to install going slow with Youtube references, all good so far.

Appreciate the replies and info.