[SnowBunny85]

Just bought a 01 330ci convertible. Was only driven 30 min a month for 2 years. Dude was topping off coolant with water. Starting to notice small pool on ground so I'm going to replace hoses, thermostat and expansion tank. As well as flush the radiator.
Question: Should the radiator just be replaced? Also, if I flush. Can I do this with water or should I use a flush cleaner?
Does anyone know if someone makes an expansion tank that doesn't crack?😅

 

[SnowBunny85]

Awesome, thank you all for your advice. Yesterday I found dried coolant sprayed all on the top of the air filter box. Could the leak be from the expansion tank cap? Is there supposed to be an o ring on it?

 

[SnowBunny85]

Doing my full refresh kit tomorrow. Radiator was cracked at the top where it connects to the expansion tank.
Wish me luck I'm new to working on my own car. Managed to change my own spark plugs so I'm confident I can do this. Thanks all!

 

[SnowBunny85]

Thank y'all for the positive energy!
I'm glad to have purchased mangos overhaul kit from FCP euro. Was hoping to be done today..... but... I was being a little too confident, boy you weren't kidding about that lower hose and the expansion tank! Ran out of daylight and it started snowing. Gonna resemble tomorrow.

 

[SnowBunny85]

Well.
10 days later. All fully back together. No leaks or additional warning lights on the dash.
Learned allot about what I didn't have for this job.
Learned that you should be sure there's not cactus on the ground BEFORE you lay down.... and be patient, and gentle.

I did find something weird that maybe y'all can shed light on. This hose goes into the expansion tank. Pretty sure its not supposed to be split like that. What is it called and why would they do that?

 

[SnowBunny85]

🤔

 

[SnowBunny85]

This is a full explanation from the previous owner who worked on it.
The power steering reservoir hose leaking and the fluid dropped on the said hose connector which connected to the tank. The ATF caused the the said hose o-ring swelled and leaking. He tried to replace the hose but couldn’t remove it from the hard plastic pipe which connected to the water pump rear side, so he cut the bad end and spliced in half a new hose using a galvanized T he found in the toolbox .

He can see that power steering hose wetted with ATF. Keep the fluid off the coolant hose!!!

@Sapote
I'm thrown off with this last comment. Do you know the previous owner of my car?
Are you speaking in the third person?

 

[SnowBunny85]

I'm the previous owner of yours! Just pretend that it is the truth.

Ha!
Damn. I was hoping to get some service history and specs on what package I have.
This poor car needs so much love and work.
Bought her in August, named her Aurora after sleeping beauty..... as she dies when I stop.

 

[SnowBunny85]

What do you mean when?...
Well I got off topic. I am in need of what this hose is called so I can order. Mangos post called it:
"LONG HOSE - Runs from the heater core outlet to the connector on the rear of the expansion tank, about halfway up. This hose runs on the chassis rail, higher up than the return hose."
Is this my Heater Hose?
What's the best way to tackle getting the fitting off the heater core outlet? (Remove?)
I would prefer to replace this vicarious hose before it bursts. As the one placed on there feels like a reused water balloon. @Sapote does the ATF look bad? Or is it just build up? Would like to close this thread and chase my massive vacuum leak.