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What can casue a radiator to burst? 97 bmw 318ti



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 11th 04, 10:31 AM
Burt Squareman
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Default What can casue a radiator to burst? 97 bmw 318ti

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

















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  #2  
Old October 11th 04, 10:33 AM
Anthony
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Default

"Burt Squareman" > wrote in
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


The cap determines system operating pressure. If the cap stuck, system
max pressure could have been exceeded.




--
Anthony

You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
better idiots.

Remove sp to reply via email
  #3  
Old October 11th 04, 06:01 PM
Jeff Strickland
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Posts: n/a
Default

Plastic. The plastic in the radiator can rot.





"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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>



  #4  
Old October 12th 04, 01:26 AM
Matt O'Toole
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Posts: n/a
Default

Jeff Strickland wrote:

> Plastic. The plastic in the radiator can rot.


....or fatigue, or whatever it does. BMW radiators are well known for exploding.
However, it's usually preceded by mysterious loss of very small amounts of
coolant. If you find yourself topping up your coolant every so often, beware.
You have to figure it's going somewhere -- probably through a hairline crack in
your radiator.

Matt O.


  #5  
Old October 12th 04, 04:49 AM
Karl Winkler
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Posts: n/a
Default

"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
  #6  
Old October 12th 04, 12:46 PM
Richard Sperry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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



  #7  
Old October 13th 04, 01:49 AM
Jeff Strickland
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Mine simply burst. There was no leaking that I was aware of before the Big
Event.




"Matt O'Toole" > wrote in message
...
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
> > Plastic. The plastic in the radiator can rot.

>
> ...or fatigue, or whatever it does. BMW radiators are well known for

exploding.
> However, it's usually preceded by mysterious loss of very small amounts of
> coolant. If you find yourself topping up your coolant every so often,

beware.
> You have to figure it's going somewhere -- probably through a hairline

crack in
> your radiator.
>
> Matt O.
>
>



  #8  
Old October 14th 04, 02:50 PM
burt squareman
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The radiator rips, opens a 6" wide gap along the side seam of the
radiator which spews coolants inside the alternator and a fan
resistor. Then smoke is seen coming from the hood. Closer
inspection finds the resistor terminal oxidize itself away from the
coolants. The alternator then shorted itself out and was no good.
Maybe, if only the radiator had a cylinder shape like a Pepsi bottle.

Thanks,
Burt

"Richard Sperry" > wrote in message ...
> 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

>
>




  #9  
Old October 15th 04, 12:49 PM
burt squareman
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Just had a new radiator, cap, upper hose, hose clamp, thermostat,
fan switch, v-belt, alternator, resistor replaced and I notice I don't
have to top up my coolant so often.

Thanks all,
Burt

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message ...
> Mine simply burst. There was no leaking that I was aware of before the Big
> Event.
>
>
>
>
> "Matt O'Toole" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Jeff Strickland wrote:
> >
> > > Plastic. The plastic in the radiator can rot.

> >
> > ...or fatigue, or whatever it does. BMW radiators are well known for

> exploding.
> > However, it's usually preceded by mysterious loss of very small amounts of
> > coolant. If you find yourself topping up your coolant every so often,

> beware.
> > You have to figure it's going somewhere -- probably through a hairline

> crack in
> > your radiator.
> >
> > Matt O.
> >
> >

>
>



 




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