Check your coolant line guys

msjt · 11-30-2015, 07:47 AM

Hey everyone, just reminding you all if you're up there in miles, check the coolant line that goes from the reservoir across the top of the radiator. Mine cracked without warning, spraying coolant all over the engine bay and causing a huge cloud of smoke as it burned off. Went to Pep Boys and got some hose clamps and fuel line and replaced it for about $10 in 10 minutes. Thank God it happened not too far from home or I would have been screwed. Just another thing to add to the N54 list lol.

feuer · 12-01-2015, 09:39 PM

Yes, with time these became very brittle. Is common and not only on n54. Many BMW models suffer from the same issue.

kronke · 01-17-2016, 06:58 PM

2009 335i N54 Turbo M-package Sedan - The hose going from the cylinder head (mid front near top of engine) to the thermostat (lower passenger side next to electric water pump) failed on me last week. Picked up replacement hose at dealer Friday evening and I'm in the process of replacing it now. I had replaced the water pump and thermostat a few months back and I should have replaced this $55 hose when I did the pump & stat. Getting back to the stat fitting to remove the hose is a real PIA. Glad that I took the time to orient all hose clamps so I could access the clamp screw heads from under the car but I may sill end up having to remove the pump & stat to get the hose off and new one back on.

Had to pull the radiator fan to gain access to the upper engine fitting. What failed is the fitting itself and after removing this it is evident that it failed from the inside out. This is a plastic fitting that attaches to head with 2 bolts. The outer portion of the fitting where the hose was permanently clamped to the fitting had collapsed (half of it was missing) and the hose had simply fell off (not enough fitting left to hold it). The inner portion of the fitting was split in two where the o-ring sits. The inner most part (engine side of the o-ring) was still in the hole after I removed the fitting. Once I removed this piece it shows signs that there was a leak (V water cut). Fitting interior is very brittle and weak. Mystifies me why they use materials that deteriorate and fail this way.

Parts guy at BMW tried to tell me that the "permanently" clamped hose was because it was a high pressure fitting and a screw clamp would not work there. I said "Oh, really?" Held up the hose and asked "Then why does the other end of the hose use a hose clamp?" He goes "Oh yeah, you're right. Doesn't make any sense how they design these things." LOL!

11-30-2015, 07:47 AM	#1
msjt First Lieutenant 160 Rep 306 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: queens, nyc iTrader: (0)	Check your coolant line guys Hey everyone, just reminding you all if you're up there in miles, check the coolant line that goes from the reservoir across the top of the radiator. Mine cracked without warning, spraying coolant all over the engine bay and causing a huge cloud of smoke as it burned off. Went to Pep Boys and got some hose clamps and fuel line and replaced it for about $10 in 10 minutes. Thank God it happened not too far from home or I would have been screwed. Just another thing to add to the N54 list lol.
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12-01-2015, 09:39 PM	#2
feuer Major General 4307 Rep 9,230 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Yes, with time these became very brittle. Is common and not only on n54. Many BMW models suffer from the same issue.
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01-17-2016, 06:58 PM	#3
kronke Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: May 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Engine to Thermostate Hose - Block connector failed 2009 335i N54 Turbo M-package Sedan - The hose going from the cylinder head (mid front near top of engine) to the thermostat (lower passenger side next to electric water pump) failed on me last week. Picked up replacement hose at dealer Friday evening and I'm in the process of replacing it now. I had replaced the water pump and thermostat a few months back and I should have replaced this $55 hose when I did the pump & stat. Getting back to the stat fitting to remove the hose is a real PIA. Glad that I took the time to orient all hose clamps so I could access the clamp screw heads from under the car but I may sill end up having to remove the pump & stat to get the hose off and new one back on. Had to pull the radiator fan to gain access to the upper engine fitting. What failed is the fitting itself and after removing this it is evident that it failed from the inside out. This is a plastic fitting that attaches to head with 2 bolts. The outer portion of the fitting where the hose was permanently clamped to the fitting had collapsed (half of it was missing) and the hose had simply fell off (not enough fitting left to hold it). The inner portion of the fitting was split in two where the o-ring sits. The inner most part (engine side of the o-ring) was still in the hole after I removed the fitting. Once I removed this piece it shows signs that there was a leak (V water cut). Fitting interior is very brittle and weak. Mystifies me why they use materials that deteriorate and fail this way. Parts guy at BMW tried to tell me that the "permanently" clamped hose was because it was a high pressure fitting and a screw clamp would not work there. I said "Oh, really?" Held up the hose and asked "Then why does the other end of the hose use a hose clamp?" He goes "Oh yeah, you're right. Doesn't make any sense how they design these things." LOL!
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