X5M Cooling System Maintenance

[philly42]

Seems that my expansion tank is leaking. Since it has 100k, I'm looking to do the waterpump, thermostat and turbo cooling hoses.
Has anybody refreshed their X5M's cooling system...anything else to consider? (suppose radiator hoses)

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by philly42

Seems that my expansion tank is leaking. Since it has 100k, I'm looking to do the waterpump, thermostat and turbo cooling hoses.
Has anybody refreshed their X5M's cooling system...anything else to consider? (suppose radiator hoses)

So I had the dealership do my thermostat and water pump as well as replace the lines. I also swapped my expansion tank to the new version. You'll know it's the newer stronger one when it has the yellow arrows to line the cap up. I attached my receipts so you can see the parts they used.

Sorry they're upside down and sideways, not sure what happened there...

[cbakking]

how much did they charge you for them?

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by cbakking

how much did they charge you for them?

For them? You mean for everything?

[quick]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

For them? You mean for everything?

No he meant parts and labor both

[philly42]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

So I had the dealership do my thermostat and water pump as well as replace the lines. I also swapped my expansion tank to the new version. You'll know it's the newer stronger one when it has the yellow arrows to line the cap up. I attached my receipts so you can see the parts they used.

Sorry they're upside down and sideways, not sure what happened there...

Thanks! I didn’t know there was an updated version for the expansion tank. I’ll be be sure to get that one.

[9vapors]

Right, this is the one I got...

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...uine-bmw-part/

You can get knockoffs for cheaper, but this one is heavier duty, comes with the new sensor and is genuine BMW.

[e92BMW///M3]

Think I might be in a similar boat. Any additional insights are appreciated.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by e92BMW///M3

Think I might be in a similar boat. Any additional insights are appreciated.

So my leak is coming from the expansion tank. It's leaking where the top and bottom part of the tank is seamed together. I highlighted the area in the pic where I ran my finger underneath and found coolant. I suppose like my Z3M BMW designed the expansion tank to be the weak point of the cooling system.

It's recommended to replace the waterpump and thermostat around 100k. The turbos coolant hoses where out a lot faster than other hoses because of the heat from the turbos. You might be fine not replacing the lower radiator hose which is almost $100. Though I would replace the upper hose since this is likely the hose that receives hot coolant from the engine.

[philly42]

Parts came in from fcp euro though the waterpump looks damaged (see the bent port). Also the wrong thermostat was sent as it has 4 mounting holes instead of 3. I contacted them and they will be sending a new waterpump and the correct thermostat.

[pdX5M]

Originally Posted by philly42

Parts came in from fcp euro though the waterpump looks damaged (see the bent port). Also the wrong thermostat was sent as it has 4 mounting holes instead of 3. I contacted them and they will be sending a new waterpump and the correct thermostat.

Idk who is picking/packing and verifying orders before they go out at FCP Euro but they need a talking to. I just got an order in a week ago that was missing an item. Customer service was good and they issued a refund but still - seems like it's a regular occurrence.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by pdX5M

Idk who is picking/packing and verifying orders before they go out at FCP Euro but they need a talking to. I just got an order in a week ago that was missing an item. Customer service was good and they issued a refund but still - seems like it's a regular occurrence.

I returned two airbags to them and they refunded only one. I contacted them and they had me on hold for a bit but "found" the other one too and issued the refund for it as well. A bit of a pattern it seems.

[e92BMW///M3]

Originally Posted by philly42

So my leak is coming from the expansion tank. It's leaking where the top and bottom part of the tank is seamed together. I highlighted the area in the pic where I ran my finger underneath and found coolant. I suppose like my Z3M BMW designed the expansion tank to be the weak point of the cooling system.

It's recommended to replace the waterpump and thermostat around 100k. The turbos coolant hoses where out a lot faster than other hoses because of the heat from the turbos. You might be fine not replacing the lower radiator hose which is almost $100. Though I would replace the upper hose since this is likely the hose that receives hot coolant from the engine.

Thanks, my issue seems to be related to the fan / auxiliary pump (based on the noise and the fact that it only happened after the car was off). Depending on the incremental cost, I might refresh everything even though I only have 62k miles.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by e92BMW///M3

Thanks, my issue seems to be related to the fan / auxiliary pump (based on the noise and the fact that it only happened after the car was off). Depending on the incremental cost, I might refresh everything even though I only have 62k miles.

The X5M has a recall on the auxiliary pump. The dealer replaced mine last year at no cost.

[cbakking]

Originally Posted by philly42

The X5M has a recall on the auxiliary pump. The dealer replaced mine last year at no cost.

Do you happen to know the recall#?
I've checked mine thru BMW Recall check website.... mine (S63) is not showing up for auxiliary pump.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by cbakking

Do you happen to know the recall#?
I've checked mine thru BMW Recall check website.... mine (S63) is not showing up for auxiliary pump.

RECALL 18V-248: ELECTRONIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP
SI B11 05 18

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/201...sy2VUwRT-MXSX0

[philly42]

Update:
I replaced the expansion tank earlier and did the other components later when I had more time.

The lower radiator hose was leaking where the temperature sensor goes. I used the same sensor but replaced the o-ring with an AC o-ring from local autopart store. I pulled the waterpump out with the lower radiator hose attached. It would seem really difficult to replace this hose without removing the waterpump as the space extremely tight. Removing the aux waterpump should help.
The plastic impeller on my waterpump seemed fine. Though they’re known to fall apart with age. The new WP from fcp euro had a metal impeller.

[frankenm]

Seems these expansion tanks only have a life of 100k mine failed at 117k..

I’d recommend replacing the main line feeding from the tank from the bottom and back to the heater core with the aluminum pipe - mine developed a leak at the connection base and requires removing the intercooler.... which requires completely draining both systems quite a bit of work for just one very expensive hose - $160/from stealer

Not sure if others have tried reusing the ends with some new hose? Seems these connections it should work as long as the connection is still good - Would save quite a bit of money considering how many hoses there are and they are all 60-150/each.... probably a 10th of the cost might try it.

[philly42]

Yeah some of these hoses are pricey. I believe the lower radiator hose was $95. I suppose if just the connector needs to be replaced, a replacement connector could be used. Something like this but I haven't found any that were large.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...RoCAPEQAvD_BwE

[m5james]

I posted pics on another thread showing what I did to replace the expansion tank, I also converted to Evans waterless coolant and it's been fine for like 3yrs now.

[RickM5x3]

Originally Posted by m5james

I posted pics on another thread showing what I did to replace the expansion tank, I also converted to Evans waterless coolant and it's been fine for like 3yrs now.

Glad the M is still treating you right. How many miles on it now?

[m5james]

Thanks, I hope yours is doing good as well :-) Mine being good though, ehhh, that's debatable lol.

It sat for a better part of a year while trying to diagnose crippling trans issues, I squirreled since having bought.3 cars and sold 2 in the time the X5M has been down. I finally broke down and bought a trans about 6 months ago and only just got it installed a few weeks ago in anticipation of the snow hitting Seattle again. It's finally driving but I'm now sorting a very random parking brake, traction control, self levelling, etc error that pops up while parked, while driving, etc. She's currently sitting at 126k. The mod bug has bitten again now that I'm driving it so I'm looking to finish what I started by doing the S63TU manifold upgrade along with stock S63TU turbos or something upgraded...I'm still searching.