What are the priority items for Cooling System refresh?

[ViN]

2005 M3 with 75k. Mechanic said the radiator is still in very good shape but suggested new water pump, thermostat, hoses, and expansion tank, temp sensor. Anything other items recommended to change? I was looking at some of the refresh kits on ECS's site but not quite sure which one I should go with. Should I go all OE or OEM? Thanks.

[S14]

Is your car overheating?

[ViN]

Is your car overheating?

No overheating. He said the coolant temp sensor is bad because yesterday when I started the car, the coolant gauge went to right over to the red. The red icon delineating overheating didn't illuminate however so turned car off and left it overnight thinking I would have it towed to mechanic. Started it this morning and allowed it to warm up and the is gauge back to the center reading normal temps. He came over and looked at it and said it might also be a good idea to change some of those other potential trouble items.

[Tbonem3]

No need to replace rad or exp tank yet. Waterpump (and other parts) from fcpeuro so you can do it again for free in another 75K-100K. Wouldn't bother with the aux temp sensor other than the little green o-ring. New hoses, thermostat, gaskets, coolant ofc.

OEM rein hoses are good enough if you replace the orings with higher quality like member wolfn8tr sells here. I would only buy OE bmw waterpump, but oem brands like modine and behr are good for rad/tstat

[DropTopKingM3]

Like Tbone said I would leave the radiator alone. I would address other "while youre in the items" though.

[WOLFN8TR]

Don’t forget these Hi-Temp Orings. They also add about 3 HP...😎

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah everything tbone said. Get the rein hoses and wolfn8tr's o rings to save a good amount and have upgraded o rings installed.

[ViN]

Thanks so much everyone. Wolf, I’ll send you a PM.

[Fresh1179]

+4 On WOLFN8TR High temp o-rings. When I first got the car my lower radiator hose temp sensor was welded in there with the strength of a 1000 Gods. I had to drill through the sides with a right angle drill and fashion a custom puller to get it out with all of my weight. It is also in a fairly inaccessible place unless you want to start taking more and more things off. Why didn't I take the lower radiator hose off and deal with it outside the car? It too was heat welded to the radiator. I would consider the ring's essential to a coolant system overhaul. Sounds like you are going in the right direction. Good luck.

[mrgizmo04]

I would blow through the radiator fins from the back with a hose to get all the bugs, leaves, feathers, rocks, etc out of there to restore some cooling efficiency. Prob want to remove the radiator before doing that so that all that crud doesn't go onto the condenser. Can similarly blow out the condenser and oil cooler.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[WOLFN8TR]

Thanks so much everyone. Wolf, I’ll send you a PM.

FYI you can also buy them on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293808143673

[old///MFanatic]

Agreed, radiator and expansion tank should be fine. However I like to suggest the temp sensors since it's really such an inexpensive part (oem) but causes headaches if reads incorrectly. Another item to at the very least inspect is that stupid plastic flared-nut hose that runs from radiator port to the expansion tank. They make some aftermarket upgrades but otherwise you're stuck in BMW's pocket in a pinch. Part number #9 here.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL93-USA-10-2005-E46-BMW-M3&diagId=17_0206

[WOLFN8TR]

[Fresh1179]

I have an ECS exact fit water pipe referenced above and ECS silicone radiator hoses that I will cut you a great deal on if you are interested. They are just taking up space for me right now. Let me know if you are interested.

Clarify: The ECS kit comes with the stock plastic connectors, not the sweet metal one pictured above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[S14]

That's pretty neat. Does it help, or is it just a cheaper solution to the pre-bent plastic pipe from BMW?