BMW E39: How to remove / replace radiator DIY.

Hello!
This is a DIY guide to show you how you can remove and replace a radiator on a BMW 5 series. Same procedure apply to all models from 1997 to 2003.
Please feel free to comment and share! More videos to come :)
Thank you for watching and enjoy!

[@GrindMyGears]

Buy me coffee :) ko-fi.com/grindmygears

[@lolman294]

I actually really liked that you included the thermostat part because I have to replace the clutch fan, thermostat and the radiator and the water pump so thank you for including that

[@GrindMyGears]

+josh leitner You're welcome! I'm glad I did too :) Good luck on the repair!

[@allenvanneman8881]

Very nice video - I am doing this tonite with a new radiator to a 2003 530i - the top right hose attachment on the radiator has a crack - looks like the same spot yours was leaking from. I was glad to hear there is no attachments to the auto trans hoses to the radiator. Looks looks like about an 2 hour job. Thanx again.

[@GrindMyGears]

+Allen Vanneman I hope you got the job done and you're enjoying your car again! Best of luck :)

[@leifhelles4127]

I´m heading for the same crapjob. Hope you made it my friend.

[@Boyzee355]

Radiator spilt at the outlet so thanks for the tips on changing it out for a new one- thanks from England 🤛🏻

[@GrindMyGears]

Beautiful! Glad I was able to help 🤛🏻

[@abelsassenhagen7765]

one of the better and informative DIY's I have seen Thanks Brother

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you!! Oh look, they have a love comment icon too... They copied Facebook I guess :D Glad this video was helpful :-)

[@rdthoms]

Thanks for the video. I used it today to help with the radiator replacement.

[@GrindMyGears]

Richard Thoms glad I was able to help!! Happy motoring :)

[@AndrewGKelly_Illinois]

nicely done. I've been searching for videos and finally found yours. Best yet. 2003 E39 530i i'll tackle this today, 7 years after your video, but mine only has 125,000 miles. We keep them running!

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you! Glad I could help keeping that beauty running 😊

[@AndrewGKelly_Illinois]

@@GrindMyGears Now waiting for the global part shortage to end.

[@GrindMyGears]

@@AndrewGKelly_Illinois that sucks 😐

[@jerome5672003]

thanks dude, I did mine yesterday an save me tons of money.

[@GrindMyGears]

I'm glad everything worked out! Pleasure to help :-)

[@davidhenderson7433]

an excellent how to explaining very well

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you David :)

[@TheBrownrave]

Thanks for your video. I chuckle because I kind of work like you with two hands while you use one.

[@GrindMyGears]

+TheBrownrave :-)

[@cormorant_on_arock7934]

thanks for all the details, really helpful!

[@GrindMyGears]

Cormorant_on_aRock you’re welcome! It’s really hard to remove fan shroud before removing the fan... probably even not possible.

[@arocbuild]

very helpful thank you --(1998 E39 radiator).

[@GrindMyGears]

InDepthAdvisory Thank you :)

[@jazfromhouston]

Thanks for the video! Very detailed! Just bought a great condition 2002 BMW 525i for my daily driver and the radiator is leaking. Going to use your video when my radiator comes in!

[@GrindMyGears]

That's awesome!! I really miss the 525i believe it or not... Many people say it is under powered but I disagree... Once you floor that car, your job next is to stop it... I LOVE BMW lol. It was the smoothest BMW we've ever had. Good luck on your repair!

[@erickcontreras5828]

Dude I have the same car with the same problem at 130k miles I was wondering how much did you buy your radiator for?

[@ARTUNAGER]

Thanks for the vid and tips! I am on the middle of this right now, so helpfull!!

[@GrindMyGears]

You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful :)

[@leifhelles4127]

Very helpfull my friend. Thanks from Sweden. I have a 530i -03. It makes me mad that a fully working radiator have to be changed because of bad plastic on the right side of the radiator. I will order the radiator today. However I have not that special tool. Where can I purchase that?

[@GrindMyGears]

You are welcome from USA :D I agree with you... E39 suffered from cooling system issues and I think they are mainly because of plastic parts. You can buy an after market radiator that is all metal I think... I forgot which website sells it. But a new radiator will last you long time so don't worry. You don't need to buy the same exact tool... You can just buy a wrench that opens up to 32MM... You know what I'm talking about? You can try that and most likely the fan nut will come off. If it doesn't and the pulley starts to rotate, then carefully spray WD40 on the fan clutch nut and wait for awhile then try again. It should come off... Check this: www.homedepot.com/p/Crescent-6-in-and-10-in-Adjustable-Wrench-Set-AC2610CVS/206967927 The 10 inch wrench will open up to 33MM so it should be good. Go to your local hardware store and find something similar... Just make sure it will open to 32MM or more. But if you want to buy the special tool, you can find it on eBay! Check this out: www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-32mm-Fan-Clutch-Nut-Wrench-Water-Pump-Holder-Removal-Tool-Kit-/182036135545?hash=item2a6232fe79:g:SbwAAOSwezVWz~Ab&item=182036135545&vxp=mtr Let me know how the repair goes!! Good luck my friend :-)

[@ARTUNAGER]

I got my new radiator for around 85 Euros,(90 bucks...) Hand made the special tool for the clutch and used an adjustable shifter, all good till the tool scaped from the clutch and stabbed myself on the forehead! LOL! ( I didn'nt smoothered the edges...) 1 stick and like new! (Advise, the special tool can be made with a flat bar 1" (25mm) and one hole only doesn't need to have that curve and 2 holes) All working good, but yes the plastic components are the problem, here in Spain is really hot on the summer, old radiator went as the plastic/metal union failed and after change the radiator, realized the pipe going from the radiator to the water pump had a crack so ordered a new one, fixed temporary the old one with poxipol resine. I BLOODY LOVE THE E-39!! Mine is a 520I '02 M Sport edition with 18" rims, blue...what a sexy thing!! All the best amigos!!

[@GrindMyGears]

I'm glad you got it all fixed and working!! The E39 is like no other... Has its quirks but it looks and feels 100 times better than the new BMW's! Pus the quality is higher... Happy motoring! :-)

[@pauldrake5500]

Thank you. This was very helpful..

[@GrindMyGears]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful :)

[@zardoz3929]

A little rough on the method, but nevertheless this video is the best one I have seen so far. You do a great job of explaining how everything, and I mean everything, works with the radiator and its removal/installation. Great job!

[@GrindMyGears]

Zar Doz thank you 😊

[@pics5668]

Thanks man, that was very helpful!

[@GrindMyGears]

You're welcome!

[@GrindMyGears]

No they don't sell them in one package but you'll have to buy the parts. You already named the parts LOL... You need a radiator, upper and lower hoses, two hoses that connect to the heater core, water pump, thermostat, lower temperature sensor rubber o-ring (sits on the radiator lower hose) don't replace sensor if it's working, serpentine belts (two of them). Spark plugs and air filter and whatever are not related to this job and you can do them separately. I suggest you get your parts from FCPEuro.com because they have lifetime warranty on their parts... I recently started buying from them. Select your car year and model and then start adding the parts... They have original parts (expensive) and other alternatives... Pick what fits your budget... You'll have to do this I can't do it for you... Good luck!

[@ekobrottsling]

Thanks, im doing this on sunday. Need to buy that special tool for the fan first!

[@GrindMyGears]

+ekobrottsling You're welcome! Hope the repair goes well for you :)

[@leifhelles4127]

Var får man tag i specialverktygen? - Ekobrottsling:) Haha!

[@fishfire_2999]

Good tips

[@abelucious]

thank you for posting this, I was on the way home about an hour ago in my 97 540i 6 speed when suddenly a poof of smoke and moist started coming out of the hood, I pulled over and checked the radiator and the top right plastic nozzle that the hose goes onto broke off spraying my whole engine bay with coolant, I was lucky that there was about half on inch of plastic nozzle left sticking out and was able to reconnect the hose to that and tighten it, added coolant that I always keep a gallon of in the trunk and drove home, everything was fine when I got home except for a small hissing noise coming from the same hose, I guess I have to change my rad ASAP . still love this stupid car cause its a hoot to drive.

[@GrindMyGears]

abelucious glad this video helped! Happy motoring :)

[@Mrrockrocksful]

I’ve got the exact same problem. Haha! Like you said. Even I like this car, even though it gives troubles every now and then

[@YouTubeisAmassiveSCAM]

Amazing. Just found this video. I'm studying to do my replacement, thank you!!!!!!! Kudos!!!! Good karma to you!!!!!

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you!! Much appreciated and good luck 😊

[@terribleleon]

Brilliant video. The gearbox cooler has sprung a leak on my 528i, this video answered all my questions. Thank you :)

[@GrindMyGears]

Great!! :) Thank you.

[@94Whiskey]

Thank u!

[@GrindMyGears]

Glad I was able to help!

[@cobymayer8018]

I can't believe you got that right leg out one handed

[@GrindMyGears]

:-)

[@greatunclejim]

thanks

[@GrindMyGears]

You’re welcome :)

[@chromium6045]

Awesome video, thanks much! My car got into a front end accident messing up the entire front support and most of the cooling system. So it's amazing how you include literally everything that's right there. And also, I can't tell from the video but in the thumbnail it might be, is your color car Titanium Gray/Titangrau? Very hard to find, cheers to you!

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you! The color was silver 😊

[@pharaohlandscaping]

I am sure you are Egyptian, thanks for the video.

[@GrindMyGears]

moe embabi Thank you but I'm not Egyptian :)

[@MrHolyshitpiss]

I have to replace my radiator this weekend. Is yours a 5 speed? I didnt notice any auto transmission lines going to the radiator. My bmw is an 01 525i automatic.

[@GrindMyGears]

No this car is automatic. The transmission has its own cooler that sits in front of the radiator I believe. But no transmission lines go into the radiator... Only the two hoses!

[@RussianVitamines]

on my e39 530d there are no bolts sticking out of water pump and expansion tank are not near radiator... hope the shroud are not clipped on the bottom, not in the mood for going underneath and taking that bottom cover off...

[@prittishu838]

Am having a problem with my e39 wen mi turn on the ignition the heater don't come back don t and the car not startling

[@GrindMyGears]

Weak battery? Hope you got it fixed.

[@jujagthemag]

I need to do this exact job. only problem is its cold here in va.

[@GrindMyGears]

Jujag Themag Hopefully you will get to do it in spring :)

[@michaeldiaz9029]

How do I take off the fan with out those silver tools

[@michaeldiaz9029]

Or where can I find them

[@auto-boss]

Пойдёт...... плюс-минус понятное видео

[@GrindMyGears]

Спасибо! удачи :)

[@carlosbriones3974]

where i can find the tools

[@GrindMyGears]

carlos briones Hello Carlos... You can find the tools at any auto parts store like auto zone or advanced auto parts! But replacement part you have to get from dealer or online... I recommend using OEM BMW parts!

[@nenechka1111]

If you have a minute, can you please share your tool list with me? I just need to know what to borrow from my boyfriend hahaha

[@GrindMyGears]

Lol... Did you get to replace the radiator yet? I hope you did. I'm trying to recall the tools you need, screw driver (both kinds), small ratchet and few sockets (8,9,10mm most likely but get a set if you can) and then you need a 32mm wrench to break the fan clutch loose. You can buy an adjustable wrench from a hardware store just make sure it can expand to 33mm just to be safe. I think that's all the tools you need... Don't forget to get the repair parts... Good luck! :-)

[@maariioog2135]

Min 21:38 can someone please tell me the name of those hoses please or the part number

[@GrindMyGears]

Are you asking about the big hose and the thin hose? The big one is the upper radiator hose and the thin one is the lower radiator hose that goes from auxiliary pump to the expansion tank. Let me see if I can find the diagram for you and post a link.

[@GrindMyGears]

Check number 1, 3, 11, 16 in this diagram.

[@GrindMyGears]

www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DT63-USA-01-2001-E39-BMW-530i&diagId=11_2638

[@maariioog2135]

@@GrindMyGears this helped me !! I really appreciate youu brother 🙏

[@GrindMyGears]

@@maariioog2135 awesome! Glad I was able to help. Good luck with your repair 😊

[@Ralgexthecat1]

When you removed the fan blade why did you put it on the floor next to the car, surely with common sense you would put it somewhere so it dosent get damaged by treading on it,

[@GrindMyGears]

mark warrington good advice! I’m usually careful but last time I worked on my car I damaged my dashboard trim because of this... I hit it with my foot and it slid on the ground (tight space garage it was)... I regret so bad not putting it away or somewhere far 😩

[@ginessalink]

You should have propped the phone up somewhere its hard to tell where you are and what you are doing.

[@GrindMyGears]

DuckOnQuack 5352 yeah I need to invest in video tools :)

[@elmasejerome5394]

Yo put some light man

[@GrindMyGears]

I didn’t have light back then but now I do :) btw if you’re watching on mobile device, put the brightness up as it’ll help a little.

[@steveperryman8102]

This procedure is the worst, most painful process I've ever had to perform in all my years working on cars. What were they thinking? Everything else is a pleasure to work on, but getting that viscous fan off and then the shroud and extracting hoses and radiator (especially with all the air con stuff in the way) is a nightmare. I notice the shroud is a much spared item. I presume many break it either by accident or design! And of course, there is the undertray to take off too. Horrendous job thats likely to leave many new radiators scarred before they've even been filled with coolant for the first time. Lovely engine terrible cooling system.Then there's the plastic (exploding) OEM water pump impeller!🤦🏻‍♂️

[@GrindMyGears]

Yeah lol… it is very annoying. And it doesn’t get much better with other or even newer models! The only difference is electronic fans but they have other complexities 😄

[@javarithms]

Using somebody else's used E39 radiator is like using somebody else's used condom!! Buy a new one or be prepared to swap in a new (used) engine.

[@GrindMyGears]

javarithms no dude! Lol... that used radiator was superbly clean... I was planning to get rid of the car shortly after... so I agree, if you’re planning to keep the car, new radiator is a must!

[@mirzha001]

60$ for a new.....

[@mikeblythe5438]

Everything was going well until you started the part on re-assmebly. You spend 10 minutes on belts, thermostats, water pumps and everything else that has nothing to do with the task at hand. Because you wasted 10 minutes on every minute detail of changing out thermostats, belts, water pumps, etc, it appears you had no time left for showing the installation process afterward. This video could have been perfect, if you had stopped with the minutia of other repairs and stayed on task, illustrating ALL of what you did to reinstall the new one. I don't know why you guys drift like this and assume every knows what you did on the reinstall. If only you would have spent the same time on the installation as you did on the removal.

[@GrindMyGears]

+Mike Blythe I am so sorry Mike! I understand you... And honestly I think I have the same issue in other videos (idk how it happens)... So I went and bought a GoPro cam to record everything without getting stuck using one hand at times and when I used that cam, the battery died at towards the end haha... Will be buying a battery backpac just in case. I will make sure next videos to be better so I appreciate your input. Now that I have E39 M5, I'm pretty sure I will be making videos of things that will be similar to other E39's as well.

[@Hooncams]

+MegaBusterBlaster Your not a "sorry" person, also I am happy you explained that process aswell; I've been wanting to learn how to relace the entire cooling system myself on my 540i. I plan on doing high performance swap on everything full aluminum radiator along with dual electric fan. Dinan upgrades on the way too maybe I will add some installations on my channel as swell. Thanks again for the greatly detailed video by the way.

[@GrindMyGears]

Thank you!! =) I will also be doing some cooling system replacement on the M5. I'll stay stock though but dual electric fan sounds like the best upgrade any E39 can get!! Where are you getting this stuff from?

[@Hooncams]

+MegaBusterBlaster As far as where im getting the parts from, im still trying to figure that out lol. They are made in the USA though, so they are plenty of them around , if you are interested I could do some more searching send you a link when I come across one?

[@Hooncams]

+MegaBusterBlaster What kind of m5 do you have bro?