Ok let's get this straight. The inlet neck of the radiator does fail with
age, it might also seem related to over-tightening of the clamp. The plastic
water pump in question was superceded in production in 10/95 by a metal
impeller, which was further updated with another 'better plastic" one.
Either way a 97 is not affected.

The radiator cap was part of a recall on the E36 I don't know the years, but
you can look it up.

What electronics were ruined by coolant? I would think that unless the
coolant sprayed into the component, it would be hard to ruin anything...



"Karl Winkler" > wrote in message
om...
> "Burt Squareman" > wrote in message
> news:<1097486658.qwjFQKwqe0JRgsZ9lff1eg@bubbanews> ...
>> The plastic radiator explodes expelling coolants on the freeway.
>> Temperature is past maximum for some time but was on normal
>> before I set out for a drive. I stop and check under the hood
>> and found an explosion aftermath of blue coolants. I check the
>> side of the radiator and it looks like Niagara Falls when a jug of
>> water is poured into the radiator.
>>
>> Today, I had the thermostat pot boiled and it won't open. I
>> don't know how to check the radiator cap but I assume it's
>> dead. Some electronics were also destroyed from the splashing
>> coolants. I wish I knew why the radiator exploded. Was it the
>> heat, the thermostat or the cap?
>>
>> Thanks
>
> Isn't this an E36 using a water pump with the plastic impeller? At
> about 60K to 80K miles, the impeller is known to shatter, sending bits
> of plastic into the radiator. Of course the car also overheats... And
> considering the age of your '97, I'd guess the mileage is right in
> that range. So if you have the radiator replaced, I'd suggest getting
> the water pump replaced also.
>
> Karl Winkler
> Lectrosonics, Inc.
> http://www.lectrosonics.com