At least it's not trial by fire...

Got started on the whole cooling system refurb process. Tightened the expansion tank plug barely finger tight and the head snapped off. Sigh. Got the block drain out (but not in time to get the hose and funnel up there. Sigh. Got the expansion tank... not out.

Despite banging on the tank with a hammer and extension, it's still there (and not cracked... and the orignal June 2000 production sticker is still on it ).

BMWSF doesn't have the plug in stock and the tank is still firmly attached. So the car gets to sit on jackstands, on the street for a few days. FML.

k.

What? You've never set anything on fire before?

You replacing the ET? Sounds like a mini-refurbishment...

Usually ET goes...and prolly should...and it comes with the plug, just not the cap.

I wedged a large screwdriver between ET and bracket beneath (holding screwdriver parallel to ground and turning it slowly but strongly...a little on both sides...as in from pass side and driver side--there's just a little flange on bracket that I used as a lever. Full disclosure...when I did this on my ET that went from '01 to '10 (I'm not original owner), I did crack the back of the bracket, but it still went back in...ended up replacing it when I replaced the radiator that was leaking but which I ignored then...replaced rad a month later).

Anyway...if you're refurbing without ET, I hope the ET is newish. Also, depending on mileage, your money, and your orientation to keeping your car, might be worth it to also do radiator (I know working on street isn't ideal!).

For me, ET loosened very slowly and almost imperceptibly...and finally came loose just about 2 mins. after I had virtually given up from frustration.

Instead of igniting my car, I just decided to ignite myself a month later for fun!

Not sure where you're at, OP...good luck...I'm sure your life will be un-fd soon!

All the cooling system stuff is original, so.. yup ten years old. Give or take a few months (the ET has stickers saying June and March of 2000 on it so). 123,000 miles give or take. The whole Tischer kit is going in. Thankfully I found a dealer that has the plugs in stock, so I'm gonna go pick up a Zipcar and the parts. The ET actually came out a few minutes after the post, but that took roughly an hour of pounding on that **** with a hammer and extension (the tank is still uncracked as far as I can see).

Thankfully there's no street cleaning for a few weeks, and it's a bit difficult to tow a car on jack stands.

Your car is in the street and up on jackstands for a couple days???

What kinda wheels you got, bro?

Originally Posted by rowdy lee

Your car is in the street and up on jackstands for a couple days???

What kinda wheels you got, bro?

The cheapest 15" alloys BMW offered in 2000. You want them?

Unrelated: The new Honda Insight is possibly the worst car I've ever driven.

Well **** me sideways, I just pulled the water pump... and it had a shiny metal impeller. The thermostat had been replaced too, and sealed up with a bunch of silicone. Grr.