radiator and oil change question

[aj203]

i have a 96 328is and needs a radiator change. is it possible that i can change it myself ( since i'm mechanicly incline)? and can a radiator from autozone work fine? about changing the oil and filter...can i change the oil and filter like other cars?

[collin]

i wouldnt use a radiator from autozone, i'd hook it up with one from Bavarian Auto (www.bavauto.com). you can use oil from there thats not a problem, and i do think that they have the filter that you need.

Collin

[aj203]

thanks!

[jeffreyb4me]

if your car's an auto trans one, BE SURE to have the level properly checked after you replace the radiator & if your car has a plastic thermosat housing, replace it with a metal one while your there

[aj203]

thanks

[morgenhailey]

hi guys, i'm new to the forum and i was wondering if u can help me out? i don't know if any of you has had problems with your radiators. i have a 735i and it's running a little hot. the coolant level is where it should be and i tested the coolant and came out to be fine. should i replace the thermostat, and if so what else should i look at? the gauge reads about 3/4 down and it only takes about 5miutes to do so. thank you in advance

[jeffreyb4me]

the best place to start is the 't-stat', they do fail and because it's heats up so rapidly, it's a likely cause....it's also quite easy to do your self....IF the temp. drops to normal while driving[continually]....NOT STOP&GO....and only gets hot idling, the next likely step is the fan clutch. with the engine warmed up and idling, the fan should stop spinning with in about 1.5 sec's. if it spins freely long after that, the fan clutch is probably worn out.

[BMW Test Pilot]

Not real sure, but this sounds very familiar...A few months ago I began having cooling issues with my 96 328. It turned out to be the water pump. The water pump on the 96 328 has a plastic impeller and after a while will shear off of the shaft. After I replaced the pump with a metal impeller model my problems were solved. Good luck!

[jeffreyb4me]

BMW Test Pilot makes an excellent point for any M42/44 or M50 equiped BMW's.............the plastic impeller issue only concerns these engines however
and MOST replacement pumps have metal impellers.
previous to about '91 all BMW waterpumps were all metal................jb.

[morgenhailey]

what is a t-stat? can i get it at the local parts store or is it dealer? any help or information will be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

[jeffreyb4me]

SORRY ! ! T-Stat = Thermostat and not knowing who your parts source might be i'd recommendsthe dealer unless you have a reputable import parts store near you that carries BMW OEM supplier [brand] parts.....parts aren't always parts....there ARE differences

[stanley51]

Can anyone tell me how to get the two black keepers off the top of the radiator? I see they click one way to get them loose? Looks like I should push on the tap in the middle? Thanks