So, I got back from my trip last night, and went to crank the car didn't start. Decided to jump it, and it still wouldn't. This morning, I called up AAA and they came to jump the car and it was successful. Left the car running for maybe 15 minutes, while I got ready for class.

Started driving, and all of a sudden smoke starts to come from my hood. I turn back around and go home. Before, I left there was a puddle of water on my driveway, that I somehow missed. I got back home and we popped the hood where we found the radiator plastic blow up and water was everywhere on the engine.

If you're facing the car, the side the radiator blew was on the right side. I'm wondering how much the repairs could be and what could've been the most likely cause of the incident?

year?

The cracking of the radiator neck is very common on the E39 because of bad radiator design assuming you have a E39 528. Luckily, because so many E39 have radiator failed instead of a recalling :mad , BMW lowered the price of their radiator for the price $150 - $175. While you're at it might as well replace the expansion tank. Also many have recommended Nissens radiator instead of Behr (OEM) radiator.

year?

'99

The cracking of the radiator neck is very common on the E39 because of bad radiator design assuming you have a E39 528. Luckily, because so many E39 have radiator failed instead of a recalling :mad , BMW lowered the price of their radiator for the price $150 - $175. While you're at it might as well replace the expansion tank. Also many have recommended Nissens radiator instead of Behr (OEM) radiator.

Thanks for that information. How much should I be looking at for labor for installing the radiator neck?

'99
Here are a couple of on-line price quotes to give you a ballpark figure:

Bavauto: Radiator (Man.-brand not specified) $199.95
Coolant Expansion Tank $64.95

Pelican Parts: Radiator (Man.) Behr $169.25/Nissens $138.25
Coolant Expansion Tank Behr $70.50

Labor est: $75-$125/hr (not sure how much time is allotted for radiator repl)

:eek: I thought that the 528i was pretty much immune to this rad neck cracking. (It's the 540 that explodes.) I have a 1999 528i; what year was yours and what miles were on it when it blew?

many parts are the same

nissan 17 11 1 436 060, Radiator $131.86

:eek: I thought that the 528i was pretty much immune to this rad neck cracking. (It's the 540 that explodes.) I have a 1999 528i; what year was yours and what miles were on it when it blew?

Guess not. Sucks that BMW just didn't call a recall on the vehicle. Yeah, I've got a '99 528i sport with 60K miles. I guess the cold weather and not driving it for 3 weeks was the most likely cause of all this. I guess BMW's require a coolant after being in the cold for so long & not driving it for long time.

Guess not. Sucks that BMW just didn't call a recall on the vehicle. Yeah, I've got a '99 528i sport with 60K miles. I guess the cold weather and not driving it for 3 weeks was the most likely cause of all this. I guess BMW's require a coolant after being in the cold for so long & not driving it for long time.

Thanks - my 1999 528, non-sport has 65000 miles, so I'll keep watch. Fortunately the radiator is fairly easy to change: hardest part is getting the fan and fan shroud off first (I've replace my water pump as prevention recently.)
My 1988 535i radiotor neck cracked off too, but that was at about 160000 miles. I agree with other post - Nissens, headquartered in Denmark, is a fine choice as a replacement radiator and for a good price.

Thanks,:)
Ron
Ron