* E46 Cooling Guide (Information w/parts list/bleeding) *

I still don't understand why there is not a cooling system sticky. Hell, there should be a message when you first register, telling n00bs to replace the critical often-failing cooling system parts.

Originally Posted by jneumann

I still don't understand why there is not a cooling system sticky. Hell, there should be a message when you first register, telling n00bs to replace the critical often-failing cooling system parts.

+1 I like the idea of the popup. hahaha..

We have stickies on what MODZ U CAN HAS ON UR 3 SERIES BRO. but nothing on the #1 most critical/common failure on these cars (as well as E36 cars)

PLZ MODS?

How can you equate the importance of a properly operating cooling system to that of giving what our members want? Seriously.

You think having a car that's cooled is anywhere near as important as one that is cool? Come on. The members here obviously need to know what M parts will fit their car, what mods are available, and how to fix reverse.

Personally, I think there ought to be a Beagle sticky, but I'll wait until you get yours first!

hahaha. A sticky on how NOT to run over beagles?

I could add that maintaining the cooling system means no leaks. no leaks means no beagles will be harmed by licking up the sweet stuff.

Awesome write-up... Ordered a bunch of parts for my cooling system

Wanted to comment on this...

Saleri (OEM) $59.76 (RMEuropean price, but maybe BMA can order it?)

I called BMA and they do have it. For some reason when you search the part number nothing shows up on their site. Use "BMW006731" for Waterpumps on the BMA site.

Still the OEM Saleri pump does not come up, but i called and they tracked it down. It is only $54 through them. Hope this helps

Originally Posted by joeycannoli

Awesome write-up... Ordered a bunch of parts for my cooling system

Wanted to comment on this...



I called BMA and they do have it. For some reason when you search the part number nothing shows up on their site. Use "BMW006731" for Waterpumps on the BMA site.

Still the OEM Saleri pump does not come up, but i called and they tracked it down. It is only $54 through them. Hope this helps

That is an AWESOME tip. Great contribution. BMA needs to add that to their site as well as fix their part images (they're now TINY and don't blow up when you click on them) I'll edit my post to reflect your part#

What is the purpose of replacing the radiator if it is not cracked, leaking, or clogged?

Well let me put it this way. There are a TON of write-ups for everything on the E46. If I were to sticky this thread wouldn't that mean the other ones would have to be stickied too? Just saying and no to it being stickied.

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Well let me put it this way. There are a TON of write-ups for everything on the E46. If I were to sticky this thread wouldn't that mean the other ones would have to be stickied too? Just saying and no to it being stickied.

Let me put it this way. The cooling system is one of the most important things to address on E36 and E46 vehicles, correct? There's not a sticky on it. Shouldn't there be? How many threads on warped heads do we get a week?

It doesn't have to be my thread. I could care less. As long as the correct info and enough info is there for members to use, it's fine by me.

It just so happens that this parcticular thread is informative and complete enough for many members to PM me and thank me saying this helped them a ton.

And again... there's those stickies on modifications.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

What is the purpose of replacing the radiator if it is not cracked, leaking, or clogged?

Same for replacing any other cooling part. So it doesn't fail while you're on the road!

Waterpumps fail, ETs fail. I haven't heard the rad to be an issue like the former two.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

Waterpumps fail, ETs fail. I haven't heard the rad to be an issue like the former two.

Right. I understand it's less common but as a whole, replacing these parts ensures you don't warp your head. It's just one more $140 step towards protection.

We have had a few radiator failure posts recently. Blockedout has a leaking radiator

AND back on topic of helping members:

If my sticky prevented one head from being warped, my sticky would be worth $2,500.

Given that I got six messages thanking me for my sticky and that it would be used, and I had the sticky up for three days so far, that averages two helps a day. This sticky potentially saves fanatics $150,000 a month, or $1.8m annually. Given that only 10% of fanatics ever post, imagine the ones who I'm helping who you'll never hear about and will never PM me about it. Multiply that figure by 10, and I'm saving members about $18,000,000 a year. WOW!

We need to Sticky this

I'll post a pic of a leaking rad as soon as I can get it, its not on my car but my friends. I;ll get it soon

Oh, my bad. I thought it was your car with the leaking radiator. Cool. I know on E36 cars, radiator failures are VERY common. Interested to see how the E46 ones fail. Seems with the years passing by, maybe its just that time for our cars?

Originally Posted by jneumann

I still don't understand why there is not a cooling system sticky. Hell, there should be a message when you first register, telling n00bs to replace the critical often-failing cooling system parts.

umm. yes, i wouldve loved this popup... Lol. +1 for sticky to save others the trouble im currently going through.

Actually I have numerous problem with cooling system in my e46. First it was the expansion tank, then came the water pump and upper radiator hose. Also upper radiator leaked.

change and upgrade most to metal parts when possible. My metal radiator should be on it way...

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by K'KamE46

Actually I have numerous problem with cooling system in my e46. First it was the expansion tank, then came the water pump and upper radiator hose. Also upper radiator leaked.

change and upgrade most to metal parts when possible. My metal radiator should be on it way...

http://speed-daddy.com/index.php/coo...6-bmw-e46.html
Guess you don't have an automatic because that rad will only fit manual.
I'm in for you to come back and report on the quality of this relatively cheap Speed Daddy radiator. And let us know how the fitment is? I've rarely seen an aftermarket piece that fit properly without some advanced DIY modification to get it to work. Especially if it is Chinese!

Originally Posted by Stinger9

http://speed-daddy.com/index.php/coo...6-bmw-e46.html
Guess you don't have an automatic because that rad will only fit manual.
I'm in for you to come back and report on the quality of this relatively cheap Speed Daddy radiator. And let us know how the fitment is? I've rarely seen an aftermarket piece that fit properly without some advanced DIY modification to get it to work. Especially if it is Chinese!

yea mine is manual. We'll see what happen, how it fit n such... I'll keep I posted.

If it doesn't fit, im going to smash it!! Lol

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by yodaddyguido

umm. yes, i wouldve loved this popup... Lol. +1 for sticky to save others the trouble im currently going through.

YIKES!!! hope you get ti sorted out man. See, mods? People need this!

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Oh, my bad. I thought it was your car with the leaking radiator. Cool. I know on E36 cars, radiator failures are VERY common. Interested to see how the E46 ones fail. Seems with the years passing by, maybe its just that time for our cars?

Seems to be not too bad. Mine is leaking, nothing catastrophic. Causes coolant to come out when it gets warm, but very very very very very very slowly. When I replace it in a few weeks, I'll see if I can find the source.