Hello everyone, I have replaced the entire cooling system with a new csf radiator triple row however the past 2 days i have been seeing air in the system. Although live data shows 210 or 98c the gauge will be at the third dot. Considering my recent head job, is the gasket failing to provide a proper seal? I started the vehicle with the head job with this radiator? I am driving up to Monterey tomorrow night and just want be sure I will not blow up the engine! keep in mind this only happens with ac on; and very minor air bubbles not big ones!
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CSF is hard to bleed. With heat on do you get heat coming out of the vents?
Sometimes you'll get bubbles just from the coolant return line.
Lift front end of the car or put it on a steep incline. Turn heat on max temp. Keep engine at 2000rpm for a minute or two. Burp the upper hose with your hand. Keep doing this repeatedly. If you have a gravity bleed funnel use it.
210 degF on coolant is high. I would not drive it for extended period with temps that high. On track 210 is enough for me to do cooldown laps. -
I highly recommend buying a vacuum coolant kit...just need an air compressor to use it. I purchased the Astro 78585 kit which is pretty nice. Allows you to pull vacuum on the system and fill without worries of introducing air into the system. Also comes with a little tool to pressurize the system and check for leaks.Comment
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You did a bad head job?🤣
Did you open up the heater core? Max temp, red on the climate wheel and low fan. Run car with the expansion tank cap off.Comment
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I did bleed it with the front end up multiple times, if I'm cruising on the freeway my temps are 188, but when I'm stopped it goes up to 204 sometimes it will go up to 210 when I shut off the car and start it up 5 minutes later and after that it will cool down to 205! If I drive without AC the car is perfect they gauge does not move at all! I did use vacuum bleeder! I feel like the flow on idle is very weak so it does heat soak the radiator!Last edited by Alex; 08-07-2025, 06:18 AM.Comment
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can't speak for the bleeding part, but as far as temps - I run a CSF and see similar temps when driving around in the city (i'm in the LA area, and temps out here this week are hot). If you're not used to the CSF it does amazing when it's getting clean airflow, however when there isn't any flow (moving but stuck behind cars, or sitting in traffic) it tends to heat soak.
i make sure i give plenty of space to the car in front, to help get cleaner air. If you're sitting behind cars, youre out of the airflow.Last edited by L0okitzRaj; 08-07-2025, 06:53 AM.Comment
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Apparently that's the design of the radiator that can cause those Temps especially with AC according to bimmer world thank you everyone for the adviceAttached FilesComment
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The CSF caused me many headaches. If Bimmerworld will let you exchange/return it, via a warranty claim, I would do that and get something else, either OEM, Koyorad, or Do88.Comment
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The only thing that put me off the DO88 was that it doesn't fit with OEM hoses.
They're supposed to be great radiators and lived for track use.Comment
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resolved replaced with oem and I have normal temps now even with ac and 100 degree ambient temps!Comment
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Did you find much debris in between your original radiator and the condenser when you fitted the CSF radiator?Originally posted by Alex View PostComment
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No I cleaned it all out there was no debris in between, I just think that the all aluminum design was causing heat soak on the cooling system. Heat was getting trapped! ImoComment
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Thanks Alex. I am in a similar predicament to you but with the OEM radiator.Originally posted by Alex View Post
I think there must be some debris in the radiator.
How many miles had your car done when you swapped from the OEM to CSF radiator ?Comment
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They come with their own hoses, I have one in my car and I really like the finish and quality.Originally posted by ac427 View PostComment
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Sounds good. I just don't want to give up on my OEM hoses.Originally posted by Stilt View PostComment
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