* What did you do to/for your E46 today? *

Originally Posted by E46Mango

I replaced my oil filter housing gasket yesterday. (second time doing it) Turns out the reason it was leaking was due to a tiny rock-hard piece of residue i failed to scrape off the engine block last time. This previously overlooked residue created a dent in the gasket and a channel for oil to escape. There were actually two nice dents in the gasket upon close examination. So tip for all would be to triple check both mating surfaces for residue!!

Planning on doing this tonight.. how long did it take you?

So I woke up a coolant light this morning. Opened up the tank and saw it empty. Refilled it up but then noticed this. I just had the expansion tank replaced this summer. Should I be worried? I did notice a slight leak nothing crazy regardless taking it to the shop tomorrow

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

So I woke up a coolant light this morning. Opened up the tank and saw it empty. Refilled it up but then noticed this. I just had the expansion tank replaced this summer. Should I be worried? I did notice a slight leak nothing crazy regardless taking it to the shop tomorrow

Looks like the upper rad hose is coming apart, you should replace it

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

So I woke up a coolant light this morning. Opened up the tank and saw it empty. Refilled it up but then noticed this. I just had the expansion tank replaced this summer. Should I be worried? I did notice a slight leak nothing crazy regardless taking it to the shop tomorrow

You need a coolant hose. That is not the OEM fitting. The OEM fitting is a molded plastic piece with an oring and a clip. That is a hose clamp.

Wait I'm a moron. That is the OEM hose, but you need a new one. That's gonna fail soon. Don't have the dealer do this. They'll charge you $200 for a 20 minute job and a $30 part.

Originally Posted by WDE46

You need a coolant hose. That is not the OEM fitting. The OEM fitting is a molded plastic piece with an oring and a clip. That is a hose clamp.

Wait I'm a moron. That is the OEM hose, but you need a new one. That's gonna fail soon. Don't have the dealer do this. They'll charge you $200 for a 20 minute job and a $30 part.

Thank you for your response I did manage to do a little research on the part. But I'm not very good at DIY so I'm glad you confirmed it to me. I have a personal mechanic who's fair in his pricing, we'll see what he quotes me tomorrow.

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

So I woke up a coolant light this morning. Opened up the tank and saw it empty. Refilled it up but then noticed this. I just had the expansion tank replaced this summer. Should I be worried? I did notice a slight leak nothing crazy regardless taking it to the shop tomorrow

Upper radiator hose cracked.
Do not drive with the hose cracked like that.
You can get one from the dealership or from NAPA.
NAPA one will cost you around $30, dealership will cost you around $50. That was last year around this time.

I know because I cracked the same hose when I hammered the fanclutch nut and the wrench hit the hose.
Got one from dealership and one from NAPA to compare. I used the one from the dealership just to be safe and returned the NAPA one. But both looked the same except for the BMW marking.

The leak is minimal but I won't be moving the car until tomorrow. Don't want to risk it too much. I just hope it holds up on the way to the mechanic

Originally Posted by Hermes

ah... didn't know that's what you were asking about. Why not just a thin coat of nightshades to darken it?

If I can find an amber tint to go over it, I'd go that route. The 'amber' I found was actually orange, and that shade I managed is with two layers.

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

The leak is minimal but I won't be moving the car until tomorrow. Don't want to risk it too much. I just hope it holds up on the way to the mechanic

Just watch the temp needle the whole way. If it so much as thinks about moving, pull over. The $100 tow will be worth it. You don't want to buy a hose AND a headgasket replacement.

It's a $30 fix and takes about 30 minutes including clean up, testing and the first beer. Why pay someone to do such a simple task?

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

The leak is minimal but I won't be moving the car until tomorrow. Don't want to risk it too much. I just hope it holds up on the way to the mechanic

Its not about the amount that is leaking right now, its about the air it has introduced to your cooling system. I'd advice against driving it.

Get a radiator hose from NAPA or dealership(a good idea to get a gal of coolant) and ask your mechanic to drive to you when he is free. It will take max 30 mins to replace including toping(or bleeding) coolant. Give him an hours worth of labor. Just 0.2 cents.
You will spend more if you overheat or even if you have to tow your car there.
You may get away with duct tape and coolant top up before you drive to your mechanic, but it will need a proper bleed anyway as air has been introduced to the system.

When I cracked that hose, I was in a friend's shop trying to DIY. I left the car there for a night and asked his employee to replace the hose later next day. I didnt even start it after I cracked it.

Originally Posted by 777eThOd*

Got tired of getting pulled over so much, so I got my front plates made and put them back on!

Please take off the eyelids and red angel eyes.

Originally Posted by trj

Just 0.2 cents.

You cheap bastard. You can't even give a full cent?

Originally Posted by WDE46

Just watch the temp needle the whole way. If it so much as thinks about moving, pull over. The $100 tow will be worth it. You don't want to buy a hose AND a headgasket replacement.

Yeah I hear you, I learned about all the consequences during my expansion tank replacement. I will def be on the look out.

Originally Posted by tcphoto

It's a $30 fix and takes about 30 minutes including clean up, testing and the first beer. Why pay someone to do such a simple task?

If I had an idea of what I was doing I would be more than glad to, besides it's way too cold in NY to be outside working on your car. Rather take it to someone who knows what they're doing and who I trust.

Originally Posted by trj

Its not about the amount that is leaking right now, its about the air it has introduced to your cooling system. I'd advice against driving it.

Get a radiator hose from NAPA or dealership(a good idea to get a gal of coolant) and ask your mechanic to drive to you when he is free. It will take max 30 mins to replace including toping(or bleeding) coolant. Give him an hours worth of labor. Just 0.2 cents.
You will spend more if you overheat or even if you have to tow your car there.
You may get away with duct tape and coolant top up before you drive to your mechanic, but it will need a proper bleed anyway as air has been introduced to the system.

When I cracked that hose, I was in a friend's shop trying to DIY. I left the car there for a night and asked his employee to replace the hose later next day. I didnt even start it after I cracked it.

Thanks for the advice, I will maybe try duck taping it and filling it up until Im at the shop. Sorry for the question but what is the problem with air entering the coolant system? Do i have anything to worry about until tomorrow?

Originally Posted by WDE46

You cheap bastard. You can't even give a full cent?

Yah, he was so keen on driving the car with cracked hose that I thought a full cent wasnt worth it.

Originally Posted by JZambrano7

Yeah I hear you, I learned about all the consequences during my expansion tank replacement. I will def be on the look out.



If I had an idea of what I was doing I would be more than glad to, besides it's way too cold in NY to be outside working on your car. Rather take it to someone who knows what they're doing and who I trust.



Thanks for the advice, I will maybe try duck taping it and filling it up until Im at the shop. Sorry for the question but what is the problem with air entering the coolant system? Do i have anything to worry about until tomorrow?

No need to worry until tomorrow, but need to fix and get the air out of the system before turning over the engine.
If air is present in a sealed system your temp needle will go whacko and may over heat the engine.
Why risk it? Get a radiator hose and DIY or ask a mechanic or some fellow member near you to help you out. Pay him the amount you were going to pay for the tow.

Originally Posted by illestminimike

Please take off the eyelids and red angel eyes.

IDK it looks kinda cool.

Just ordered the last BMW structural foam in stock for the subframe reinforcement from Mike @ bmwpartstore. All I need now is seam sealer, mega's injection gun, a drill bit, and some nerves of steel as I undergo this intimidating project. Fairly simple but I don't want to waste $200 worth of foam :/

BMW part# 83190445721



I also hope no cracks had developed from the last time i "checked" the subframe area until now (couple months??)

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Just ordered the last BMW structural foam in stock for the subframe reinforcement from Mike @ bmwpartstore. All I need now is seam sealer, mega's injection gun, a drill bit, and some nerves of steel as I undergo this intimidating project. Fairly simple but I don't want to waste $200 worth of foam :/

BMW part# 83190445721



I also hope no cracks had developed from the last time i "checked" the subframe area until now (couple months??)

Let me know when you're going to do this, I would like to hang out and watch, or help.


Sent from my SCH-R530M using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

Let me know when you're going to do this, I would like to hang out and watch, or help.


Sent from my SCH-R530M using Bimmer App

For sure. Honestly I really have no idea what I am doing with this repair and could use an extra set of eyes. Too bad we aren't in Jersey