1999 BMW E39 540i/6 Radiator Replacement DIY

[@WillemExist]

You don't have to loosen nearly so much stuff, including the fan that can stay in place. You also do not have to loosen the intake or separate the coolant tank.

[@rickcarlson8063]

While you have the radiator and fan out of car, I would recommend examining the condition of your belts. I found my to be in shabby condition. It did delay my repair by a day for the new belts to arrive. It was a super easy job installing the new belts and then proceeded with the cooling system DYI.

[@BobbyOHearn]

Yeah that's never a bad idea!

[@QueenChristine1865]

Great video need to do this job but wondering is it totally necessary to remove the clutch fan is it possible to not remove ?

[@RaulRodriguez-pc3fm]

Nice man I'm just wondering if the water went into the heads but I don't think so because oil has no water in it. And just got the parts.

[@jdmcarboy64]

Water doesn’t travel into the heads, it runs on the outside of the block hints water jackets in the block.

[@alcimar43]

Dear friend, where do you connect the radiator water level sensor wire? It comes out of the reservoir and turns on where??? Thank you for replying.

[@E39Source]

The wiring connects to the bottom of the level sensor, which inserts and turns to lock in the bottom of the coolant expansion tank.

[@alcimar43]

@@E39Source Good afternoon my friend, but this part is correct in my car, however, the wiring comes to the top, near the shock absorber, and there are three wires left over, I don't know where to connect them. I appreciate if you can guide me. Hugs.

[@E39Source]

@@alcimar43 Wiring near the strut tower on the driver's side is for the hood sensor. Coolant expansion level sensor wiring will be near the passenger's side frame rail, under the headlight.

[@shaymcquaid]

About to do this job. Thanks for the video.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Also worth mentioning that because BMWs have the thermostat in the return you must be able to feel the weight of coolent in the top hose before starting the engine.

[@alcanhg]

I am in the process of replacing my 540s radiator hoses. the only remaining stumble I have is the lower radiator hose where it connects to the radiator. I just can not remove it. Any tips on how to remove this?

[@pauldavies9464]

Struggling to get the electrical connection of the radiator shroud does it come off or do you have to take the small housing that it sits in off instead,thanks for any help

[@E39Source]

The little black box? There is a tab on the connector that must be pressed in and then it wiggles off.

[@Ralgexthecat1]

Before you take the fan shroud out make sure you disconnect the lower hoses from the base of the fan shroud,

[@wmb1951]

thanks for the great video. I had my 99 540i radiator replaced in April 2014 have only driven 3,500 and it needs to be replaced again. Is there a preferred brand that you recommend?

[@E39Source]

I would recommend the OEM, Behr.

[@wmb1951]

thank you!

[@ronaldswapp3186]

The fan is not a Bolt, it's a NUT!

[@MichaelGennett]

Great video! Thanks! About to replace radiator on my 2003 530i. Current radiator split on driver's side black plastic part. I had been getting a check coolant level warning for a few weeks. Do you suppose that it was slowly leaking from where it finally failed in radiator or that failed where it did due to part failure in the coolant system?

[@E39Source]

Michael Gennett it's probably been slowly leaking from that point for a while.

[@MichaelGennett]

E39Source thanks! that's what I thought!

[@MichaelGennett]

E39Source While replacing radiator i realized there was literally a wall of leaves top to bottom, side to side between radiator & the trans/ engine/ac radiators & even more caked leaves between those radiators and the eclectic fans. Surprised radiator didn't die earlier. thanks again for video & advice! Made radiator replacement easy & i swapped out thermostat unit too.

[@vicenteturner5354]

Do you have a video Changing the Secondary air pump

[@E39Source]

Not yet!

[@erikmoralesrenteria2464]

Vicente Turner it’s really easy bro, just remove the front passenger wheel, the fromt bumper, then unplug the hoses. After that you literally just take off the screws that hold it there and plug in the new one. It took me less than an hour with no instruction or anything

[@MMafiaV]

I was doing my fathers 540i. I noticed nothing holds the radiator into place other than just the hoses? or is there a bracket hes missing? On my E46's and E60's there's a plasic bracket that it sits on.. so not sure how the E39 is.

[@E39Source]

+MMafiaV The E39 radiator, to the best of my memory, sits down on a plastic support kind of thing. I do remember thinking that I was surprised at how little holds the radiator in there though.

[@MMafiaV]

+E39Source Yeah that's what I thought.. alright thank you for getting back to me so quickly!

[@hedonisthobbyist707]

Is there a way to tell if it's the reservoir or the radiator? I just pulled into my house and shut the car off and got out 5 minutes later and there's a huge pool of fluid. Looks like it sprayed out... any help is greatly appreciated.

[@E39Source]

You'll have to get under the car with an inspection light and check things out in detail. Examine the sides of the radiator where the plastic tanks meet the aluminum radiator. Also examine the bottom and sides of the coolant expansion tank for leaks. It could also be a hose.

[@hedonisthobbyist707]

TY for your quick response!

[@baccadood18]

Bleeding the system isn't necessary?

[@pdq914]

I am seeing difference between automatic and manual transmission. Is there a diff radiator for each?

[@BobbyOHearn]

I don't think so.

[@jayc5764]

Will Colt's 540 ever make an appearance for an update?

[@E39Source]

jayc5764 He kind of went his own way. Last I heard, the car isn't even drivable anymore.

[@RaulRodriguez-pc3fm]

I like the blue and yellow things in the back the. Shop of cars

[@apocalypticweasel9078]

awesome video instrumental in helping me replace my radiator in my E39 V8 like me if you are in the UK the drain plug is on the passenger side thankyou.

[@mikers33]

Will we ever see Colt's 540i again?

[@nicholass.d.6758]

Those special tools really do come in handy! 2:40

[@win4life2]

Will you do mine?

[@E39Source]

You bring it to us in Ohio, supply the parts, pay for the labor, and we'd be happy to do it.

[@swaggyshaggy7608]

Whats the name for those Special tools? xD cant fint them online with only typing BMW special tools xD

[@E39Source]

The fan clutch tool? Search for that. Probably less than $30.

[@swaggyshaggy7608]

Thanks, found it! :D

[@snugdan]

Thanks, but it would have been good to include a thorough explanation of bleeding the air out of the system. You kinda brushed over it very quickly. Maybe next time?

[@x240voltsx]

Just let it run with the radiator cap off until the coolant starts overflowing and you're good.

[@RaulRodriguez-pc3fm]

Got it done its off got some help 32mm

[@RaulRodriguez-pc3fm]

I think the transmission oil needed to be changed so it over heated the car dam transmission oil on these cars