BMW E46 Expansion Tank DIY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ค. 2018
- Welcome to Garage Denali! In this video, I explain how to replace the coolant expansion tank on the BMW E46 non-M. The coolant expansion tank is a delicate part of the cooling system on the BMW E46. The expansion tank commonly leaks by developing a hairline crack on one of the sides of the dank due to many heat cycles and the plastic composition of the tank. Replace the expansion tank as part of BMW E46 cooling system service.
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Be advised, all the hose connections with the little wire clip locks should be in the locked position BEFORE you install. They are designed to make a snapping sound so that the installer can hear the lock when they push far enough in. Avoid installing hoses in the unlocked position as it is impossible to see inside the grooves if the wire locks actually seat correctly. They will click right on if the hoses are installed correctly. If they make a click, then you are 100% locked. If they don't, then you are loose.
You see how you tried so hard to relock the wire clips in those impossible to reach places after you inserted the hoses? Yeah...the engineers designed them so you don't even have to look or reach anywhere to lock.
Fuck that's good to know.
Yah bro this guy has no details and doesn’t explain anything right! 🤦🏻♂️
Your a genius, no tech or Enthusiast have explained this.
This video really helped me replace my expansion tank on my 330ci. Thank you
Good video. I have to do this on mine this coming week. Just started leaking coolant from the expansion tank. Thanks for sharing!
Just did my expansion tank with just your vid for reference - enormous help, thanks!!!
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Mine is cracked on the sides. On my way to the shop to replace it right now. This video is coming in clutch buddy.
I’ve seen numerous how-to-videos since purchasing a 04 325ci cabrio 3 weeks ago, probably 6-10 on this topic alone. I have to say- your friendly demeanor and gentle, confident tone as you demonstrate how to replace the coolant overflow tank definitely is the best, I have downloaded this one for the job! Thank you!
-Philip
Thank you for the words. Comments like these are why I enjoy making videos
i just wanted to say thank you for your video it was the best one ive found so far
Thanks a lot for this video you really save me a lot of money 🙏🏽 that holes was on their tight though😁
Thank you Sir for the video It's awesome
Great video - I'm just about to replace my expansion tank due to a crack, and this made me so much more confident about doing it myself!
You or your husband?
@@fatrickspark1090 I'm not married. I did it myself very easily. Except now it needs a head gasket and I'm not entirely sure I can do that myself! But I am a keen DIY mechanic and have done my own pads and rotors for years. I also own three cars and a motorcycle. Not all girls are afraid of grease!!
I dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account..?
I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any help you can offer me.
@Gerald Victor instablaster :)
If you buy a new expansion tank. Ensure the new tank comes with O rings for bottom of the tank. You should also change the O rings in any hoses you plan to reuse. You don't find out about leaks until you add coolant and it flows threw the system, so better to change them prior to putting everything back together. I learned this the hard way on these cars, after wasting lots of money in coolant.
Good stuff Thanks!
Be sure to order a coolant level sensor for this job as the old one often breaks when you pull out the old tank.
Thank you very much!
Thanks ,,, good job
Can Anyone Tell Me If The E46 Expansion Tanks and Hoses That Are On Amazon or Ebay Come With The O-Rings???
Thank you for posting, I noticed the tank sensor cable was missing in my vehicle I can't find it anywhere? Can you show where that cable should be coming from?
Hi
If you replace with new all the cooling system components on E39 528i 1998 M52 engine and you don't see coolant mixing with the oil....
And you have rock solid hoses, what's would be your suspect for this.
BMW dealer here in UK is telling me this is normal but they are exceptionally hard can't squeeze them?
When I drive temperature is solid 94C but idling goes to 102 and looks coolant doesn't circulate proper thru the radiator to activate the viscous clutch /fan.
I just replaced mine today, but having trouble getting the upper hose to snap back in place.
had a hair crack on my tank, I used JB weld to weld the crack. It has been good so far.
Your video is better than "50's kid" and "shoplyfe". Thanks my guy ✌
Ich hab ein Problem mit dem BMW 3er e46 Bj 2000, ich habe das Kühlwasserausgleichbehälter ausgefüllt aber das Wasser kommt aus dem Behälter unten aus, danach wird der Behälter leer und der Motor wir überhitzt warum?
Im confused so I’m going to change my expansion tank but its manual what I do for the thermostat so I have to get a new one ?
Paw Snupe that thermostat is only for automatic cars so disregard it
I have a good question. What happens if you buy a stock e46 coolant cap and not the one in the video? And is it okay to use the coolant cap that the tank came with when I bought it?
Despite the millions of dollars of R&D that BMW put into the E46, people on forums and fanatics say using the 1.4bar cap helps to reduce pressure in the cooling system and ultimately prolonging the life of components.
Same @thesushifiend. Garage Denali, did your automatic transmission temperature sensor continue to work properly, or did you wish you have replaced it at the time you make this video?
Yes it did. I bought a new one because they can break upon removal of the tank but mine was still intact
Yes it did. I bought a new one because they can break upon removal of the tank but mine was still intact
Where did you buy the automatic sensor from?
FCP Euro. I still have the same exact auto transmission thermostat for sale if you want it
My new tank is fitted on correctly but won’t stop leaking out the auto trans cooler hole what do I do
Did you ensure that there is a gasket inside the hole where the auto trans cooler fits? Are there any cracks in the plastic?
On the bottom that little metal box near the expansion tank what’s the name of it I have a hole on mine
Automatic transmission cooler
I put my new tank on a month ago and now sits overheating and has no coolant but it’s not leaking or dripping from anywhere what could this mean?
You must have another coolant leak somewhere or your head gasket is failing
Purchased expansion tank replacement kit...should i perform a full coolant flush after installing the new one or is it better to do that before?
I’d say do it after removing the old tank and before installing the new one
@@garagedenali that will work with no tank or hoses?
@@robd965 now that I think about it, the system needs to be complete. I’d say do it after you put the new parts on
Hey man, thanks for the video, just about to change mine, what was that cap you're using on it?
No problem, the cap is the 1.4 bar expansion tank cap from the E30
@@garagedenali Brilliant, Thanks &, are these a lot better then standard 46 one's?
They relieve more pressure than the factory 2.0 bar caps that the E46 comes with
@@garagedenali Nice one, much appreciated, have a good one
@@garagedenali Does that mess with sensor readings ???? for temperature or coolant level ??
Great job! My e46 upper hose metal clip snapped off and the coolant leaked all over the place. Expansion tank seems OK for now. Question is can I just replace the clip with a jubilee clip or do I need to replace the upper hose too? The smooth metal hose clip which snapped, is on the right hand side of your hand @6.00 of this video. Thanks
I would replace that hose altogether. What is the history of the cooling system like? How old are the parts? Something to consider. Just be sure to get the parts from FCPEuro.com
@@garagedenali thanks for your reply . I bought the car from new but it is 19 years old with 65k miles . Not had much issue with it . All parts are still original and the car drives smooth as silk . Touch wood. I replaced the clip today and bled the system . All seems fine and the temp. Needle is bang on centre . Heating works as it should. The worm clip cost me £1.50 so happy with that.
I will be keeping an eye on the temp gage from now on . I used your video to bleed the system too. 🙂
You might want to consider replacing some of the cooling system parts considering their age. FCP Euro has a lifetime warranty on everything. Check out E46Fanatics as well as it is a very insightful resource. For example, the temperature gauge can and should be reprogrammed to have a more accurate reading which will give you more time to act if the car starts to overheat.
www.e46fanatics.com/threads/diy-changing-temperature-gauge-buffer-range-with-pa-soft-1-4.1013600/
@@garagedenali Oh that is interesting. Thanks D I will monitor the digital cluster to keep an eye on it.
@@garagedenaliI just went for a drive and I used the secret menu to monitor the temperature. Needle reached 12 o clock after 5 minutes and maximum temperature reached 103c after driving for about 15 min at 50mph. I turned on heating and the temperature dropped to 96c. Upon arriving back I let the car idle for about 5 minutes and the temperature went to 102c and the fan came ON temperature dropped to 100c and stayed there. The whole time the needle stayed at 12 o clock position.
I have seen advice to change the filler cap from 2.0 bar to 1.4 bar rating - a lot of mechanics I know consider 2.0 bar to be _way_ too high for a system with a tank, and they would rather the cap vent than the tank explode in case of overpressure!
That's where the debate lies. You would think a company that spent billions of dollars in R&D into their product would know more than enthusiasts, mechanics, and shop owners. Apparently the 1.4 bar cap helps extend the life of components and many suggest it when doing the cooling system overhaul
@@garagedenali It does seem to depend on the engine - the 6-cyl engines run around eight-to-ten degrees cooler than the N-type, so they are less likely to boil off with a 1.4 bar cap.
M54 has an electric thermostat, the coolant can go far above the boiling point, that's where the much higher pressure comes from. It prevents the coolant from actually staring to boil in the system .The diesel E46 have a old-school 87°C thermostat and have the 1.4 bar cap from the factory. So if you put another one in it might constantly release pressure when the temp goes up to the max under certain driving conditions.
where did you buy the expansion tank?
FCP Euro
I have done that before but cannot get rid of the coolant light on the dashboard. Its annoying. Many thanks.
You could have an issue with a sensor. Make 100% sure that there is no air in the system and that you did the bleeding procedure correctly. If that is the case, a sensor may be bad
Thanks for your replies, I have changed the sensor and did the breathing system again but still not fixed. Is the sensor can be easy fail? Because during the breathing I saw the coolant light was flashing a few times then never see it again. Thank you
There are a couple of sensors. Make sure no wires are broken and ensure that the system is correctly bled
any thoughts about the mishimoto aluminium expansion tank? i see it advertised here and there. keen to know how long they last. great video thank you
I'd like to do this myself, but I'm afraid i'd break some of those plastic parts when taking the tank off...
Just take your time. If you haven't already done a cooling system refresh, it would be a good idea to change those parts regardless
If you bought parts use them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is in regards to the thermostat.
too bad the removal and re attachment of the bottom hoses is missing.
I just did this 5 years. cant believe i have to do it again. the e46 is not made for japanese summers
The arkeelees heel 🤔😉😂
5:57 = &$#$#!! haha, was that an edit? Anyway, good video! Just picked up a 2004 325i w/ 90k, this will be my first project. Was the coolant you saw (plus the obvious leak) the telltale sign for this car? I want to check mine later on. Thanks.
GSDubz I have an ‘04 325i with nearly 90k miles and I now need to replace the expansion tank. Must be a coincidence. I also noticed the residue below the air filter housing, so it’s a pretty good indicator.
Salute to all who will have challenge to take of lower hose
Links?
I got my tank on FCP Euro. Lifetime warranty on everything, including oil
Replacement of o rings,don't see what you changed.
just pull over on da side of da road in da woods and do a diy mmhmm
Didn’t even explain how to replace the transmission thermostat like at least explain it if you ain’t gonna replace it!
Rookie!
Oh to be young and dexterious And unafraid. I used to be like that. Youth is wasted on the young.
how many miles this expantion tank adds?
This tank had about 40,000 miles. If you use the right coolant and maintain the level, the tank should last longer. The issue with my tank was the o-ring
Nope
BAD BAD Advice - he states using a 22mm socket to loosen the drain plug on the bottom, followed his instructions and you break the drain plug and its a bitch to replace. Unscrew the blue screw only and try not to break the drain plug. A_H_E