did my oil change and then drove it around for a bit to make sure everything was kosher. when i got back to the driveway, noticed it creeping up to red and then "coolant temp" came on. so i turned it off and then i heard a pffff sound and saw smoke...then coolant everywhere on the driveway.

at first glance, it didnt look so bad. loooked as though the hose just popped out of the radiator. but now looking at it again, it seemed as if the part where the hose connects to the radiator is what broke.

ive been slowly gathering parts to replace my water pump and t-stat. i guess i should budget in a new radiator as well? what else should i look at? im guessing that since this happened i might be needing to replace other stuff as well?

oh and this is after i got a notice from the president of the HOA. apparently we are not allowed to work on our cars in the driveway even oil change or rotating tires. has to be done inside the garage.

this day sucks. i think im gonna go get drunk tonight and forget about this until tomorow.

Did you replace your thermostat? I think its too early to replace the rad. Try a good flush, new thermostat and make sure that you don't overfill the fluid! GL!!!!:buttrock

I do remember saying to 'call me' if you had any problems.
It's that easy. I'm serious you won't be bothering me.

i havent replaced anything yet. i was in the process of trying to gather everything i needed to replace the pump, tstat and belts. then this happened. even if the rad is fine, i still wouldnt be able to hook the hose to it b/c that piece is broken. unless of course i can just replace that little piece.

jesse: i know i know and i really appreciate all the help. but until today she seemed to be running fine. its done this (overheating thing) once or twice before but usually it would go away when i start moving or i would shut down the car and wait for it to cool off. apparently this time i was a little too late at turning it off.

is there something serious i should be worried about with the engine b/c this happend?

You need a new radiator. Sorry.

HOA = Teh Sux

I'll track the parts for it and let you know how much.
The radiator has to go, your hoses looked fine but the WP and the T-stat need replacing, obviously.
Along with that, $12 a gal for BMW antifreeze + $10 for water wetter.
If you want to get that lower degree temp switch for the e-fan you could, but that's optional.

HOA, I would park that bitch in my front yard and put it on blocks! (but I can't because of my HOA)

I'll track the parts for it and let you know how much.
The radiator has to go, your hoses looked fine but the WP and the T-stat need replacing, obviously.
Along with that, $12 a gal for BMW antifreeze + $10 for water wetter.
If you want to get that lower degree temp switch for the e-fan you could, but that's optional.

thanks. ive started searching around also and seems like autohausaz has some good prices. but if you can find them locally for around the same price or cheaper, then that would be better.

water wetter?

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/images/watwet.jpg
Water Wetter is a unique wetting agent for cooling systems which reduces coolant temperatures by as much as 30°F. This liquid product can be used to provide rust and corrosion protection in plain water for racing engines, which provides much better heat transfer properties than glycol - based antifreeze. Or it can be added to new or used antifreeze to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems. Designed for modern aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass, and bronze systems.

Do the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and the hoses at the same time. and yes, you need a new radiator if the hose bit snapped off of it.

Do the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and the hoses at the same time. and yes, you need a new radiator if the hose bit snapped off of it.
His hoses are practically new, the only one questionable was the lower.

Earl, I found a couple of radiators, I'll let you know as soon as I get a response from the sellers.

posted this on the 5series but figured i would ask here as well. anyone know the size/measurement for each of the three vbelts? couldnt find a consistant answer.

jesse, any leads on those radiator? just wondering cuz i was just gonna go ahead and get whatever autohausaz has. but local is always better.

His hoses are practically new, the only one questionable was the lower.

Earl, I found a couple of radiators, I'll let you know as soon as I get a response from the sellers.
You might as well replace the hoses while you are there. When the car overheats and breaks off the neck of the radiator the hoses become weakend from the extra heat. You might be able to get away without replacing them, but for the $15 they are you might as well replace them and not have to worry about it.
Good luck on the repair I've been in the same situation before.

k so my parts are starting to come in. few questions

where is the coolant drain plug?

any other way to hold the pump in place w/o using the bmw special tool? ive heard of using a screwdriver. will try that but is there another way?

is water wetter available locally?