Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-22-2016, 02:10 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 207
Davidf is on a distinguished road
Bad luck: punctured radiator on long trip

Well, I new I was getting close to needing a new radiator at 101k miles, but circumstances forced my hand. While moving my youngest son into Texas Tech University (from Austin), my wife (driving the X5) phoned to tell me the low coolant light came on. I was in my son's 330i behind her. My immediate reaction was hmm, that's strange I checked the coolant level a month or so previous to our trip. I told her to pull over at the next small town to be sure it was not leaking and just simply low.

We were 140 miles away from Lubbock and upon inspection was horrified to see a large amount of coolant dripping off the bottom of the radiator/trans cooler. But, I could not see a ruptured hose...then I looked at the front of the radiator and saw a steady stream of coolant coming from a hole at the center of a dime size indention in the radiator. Seems my wife got hit by a projectile that made its way through the lower grille.

Luckily, my wife had two gallons of water in the car (for my son's coffee maker). I topped off the coolant, took over the driving, monitored the coolant temperature (hidden service menu) and off we went toward Lubbock. Fifteen miles later and we get the low coolant warning again. Stop, cool down a bit to be able to slowly open expansion cap, refill with one gallon of water, and off we went. Repeat every 15 miles or so until we get to TTU stopping to buy/refill water jugs every so often. We made it to Lubbock and went through about 18 gallons of water. The engine seems fine.

This was a Saturday and a radiator in Lubbock for a 4.8i was not to be found. My uncle is the general manage at Scoggin Dickey Buick/Chevrolet/etc and gave me a 2016 Enclave loaner to take back to Austin while he takes care of the X5. Should have a radiator in today or tomorrow and my wife will make the 750 mile round trip to retrieve her SAV later this week.

What an ordeal! But, we will have a new radiator the hard and expensive way. Just felt like sharing. First car ever, in my lifetime, that had something puncture the radiator while on the road.

Last edited by Davidf; 08-23-2016 at 09:46 AM. Reason: corrected spelling/grammar
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 08-22-2016, 02:40 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 201
the_ulf is on a distinguished road
that is bad luck indeed. i used to own an E46. their radiators failed for no apparent reason other than bad design. i also just had to replace the coolant expansion tank on my E70 over the weekend.
__________________
discs 'n drums 'n body roll
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-22-2016, 02:59 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 397
smassey321 is on a distinguished road
Was there pressure when you removed the cap? In some cases you can drive with the cap off and that will limit pressure and slow the leak.
__________________
2009 35d, 2006 325i & 330i
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-22-2016, 04:11 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Way to self-rescue...

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-22-2016, 04:41 PM
bawareca's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 976
bawareca is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by smassey321 View Post
Was there pressure when you removed the cap? In some cases you can drive with the cap off and that will limit pressure and slow the leak.
These modern cars will run at temps anywhere from 190 to 230+ and at pressures up to 20psi. The coolant will boil in minutes if the car is cracked or open. I have driven with open cap million miles with the old BMWs, but cannot be done in a modern one.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-22-2016, 04:45 PM
bawareca's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 976
bawareca is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidf View Post
the low coolant light cam on..
Yeah, friday morning around 4:30 I was on my way to Monterey when the low coolant level warning came off. All was good, but I figured that for whatever reason if I drive over 90mph for prolonged periods of time the low coolant warning will come off. Just goes away after few minutes and comes back during next sprint I may have been a smidge low on coolant, but still strange behaviour.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-22-2016, 07:54 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 201
the_ulf is on a distinguished road
you probably went so fast, you overcame gravity itself
__________________
discs 'n drums 'n body roll
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-23-2016, 08:36 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 279
Aquamania is on a distinguished road
How do you get to the " Hidden Service Menu "? This would be good to know!!
__________________
2008 X5 3.0si
Monaco Blue/Grey
Tech Package
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Build Date: 02/2008
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-23-2016, 09:52 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 207
Davidf is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquamania View Post
How do you get to the " Hidden Service Menu "? This would be good to know!!
Best to do a search and get detailed instructions. But generally:
1. Press and hold trip mileage reset until you get into the service menu, release button.
2. Press button repeatedly until you get to test #19.__
3. Enter summation of last 5 digits of VIN by pressing button repeatedly until you get to the number you calculated by adding up VIN. Menu is now unlocked.
4. Press button to get to menu item you want. Coolant temp is test #7.

Ignition must be in run position (engine can be running). Button means trip reset button. There are additional nuances in making this work, so do a search.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-23-2016, 09:55 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 207
Davidf is on a distinguished road
Scoggin Dickey dealer ordered the radiator on Saturday from BMW dealer, picked it up Monday, and completed the repair same day. Wife heads back to Lubbock Friday. Great service and Scoggin Dickey had a mechanic (service technician?) that was familiar with working on BMW's.

My wife will do a little driving around town in Lubbock on Friday/Saturday to ensure no problems arise before heading back to Austin. I am bit concerned that the coolant level sensor is not longer working. So, I will suggest to my wife that she stop every so often and look for leaking coolant on the ground. Fingers crossed.

On a side note, while driving my son's 330i (E46), I could not believe how poorly it handled. Wondered all over the road and the steering simply seemed very loose. Not safe at all. So, next time he visits home, my plan is to change or the steering rack with a spare I have lying around. Will probably replace the steering shaft "rag" joint and control arm bushings as well.

BTW: Sorry for all the typos on my initial post, since corrected.

Update: Total bill is $999.13. About half parts and half labor. I am ok with the amount and grateful I knew someone who would take good care of the truck...err...SAV.

Last edited by Davidf; 08-23-2016 at 04:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:07 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.