How to Overhaul E36 M3 Cooling System - Radiator, Water Pump, Hoses, SPAL Fan

It's time to tackle every E36 owner's to-do list. And this time it's taking care of the cooling system. Eb is back and walks us through how he knocks out this necessary upgrade to make sure the E36 is fully dialed.
Check out Eb's channel below and hit him up for all your BMW needs!
/ @tekmotorsports4052
/ thetekisreal
The parts we used were the following:
Zionsville Competition Radiator (Opted to wire retaining the AUX fan)
Stewart Water Pump 11517527799
Expansion Tank Level Sensor 61318360855
Level Sensor Oring 61311361249
Thermostat 11537511580
Expansion Tank Return Hose 11531740649
Lower Hose Rein 11531726344
Upper Hose Rein 11531708499
Expansion Tank Upper Hose 17111723521
Thermostat Housing Gasket 11531740437
Aluminum T-Stat Housing 11531722531
Hose Clamps 07129952119
Hose Clamps 07129952104
2x Radiator Bracket 17111723341
BMW Coolant 82141467704
Rear Head to Heater Valve 64211394293
Head to Throttle Body 13541703945
Throttle Body to Hardline 13541703865
Hardline to Front Timing Cover Orings 11531703848
Low Temp Auxillary Fan Switch 80/88c 61318376440
For more insight into my life and business become a member of Inside the Hex: www.obsessedgarage.com/pages/...
Join Our Closed Facebook Group of Like-Minded Obsessed People: / obsessedgarage
Website: www.obsessedgarage.com
Podcast: obsessedgarage.com/podcast/
Facebook: / obsessedgarage
Instagram: / obsessedgarage
Everything Else I Use That We Don't Have At OG:
www.amazon.com/shop/obsessedg...
Stay tuned for more crazy!

[@Deagles456]

Very well done. Eb is a wonderful addition to the channel. Excellent tech and shows he’s just as OCD on the mechanical side of things.

[@IntegraDIY]

He doesn’t have the mental health disorder OCD, OCD is a very serious mental issue. If you work on engines, it’s just natural to make sure everything is put back correctly, making sure the coolant system and other systems are sealed, no cross threading, proper torque specs etc etc. People with OCD struggle so much during their daily life, it has nothing to do with someone doing an excellent job working on an engine.

[@sosso7030]

Great video Matt and Eb! Eb offered to donate the old parts. I would appreciate the old parts. I would normally install new parts, but my E36 is 50%/50% in needing a head gasket/head resurfacing so I would greatly appreciate the old parts in order to diagnose my overheating issue. Thank you guys!

[@TechTokOffical]

Nah man....they get everything for free so passing their old used stuff on to the people who make it all possible is just TOO MUCH for them

[@BarbWaltersMusic]

Love that he mentioned the M50 manifold, would have been a perfect time to swap

[@Broncobob88]

I recommend everyone with the m50,m52 ,m54, s50,s52,s54 engine to do this upgrade. Worth everything penny. ive seen many engines go out because of the stock coolant system . Now days to find a really good head with no cracks is very difficult and is very expensive… I will be doing this to my E39 soon. Best of lucks everyone!!

[@Chattsteezy]

Assuming you're talking about converting to an E fan, clutch fans are superior in every single way. If you keep your motor mounts in check you will be fine. E fans will never be able to pull the same CFM that a clutch fan puts off.

[@JB-E36]

By removing the coolant drain plug that's located on the side of the engine you can take all of the old coolant out.

[@Chattsteezy]

The fact that Matt is an anal as he is about everything I can't believe they didn't do an entire flush and replace with OEM coolant.

[@Nick210]

You can tell this guy is passionate, I’ve never heard a clutch fan referred to as beautiful.

[@yaritzaguzman9574]

15 -25 horse power gain depending on the size of the engine

[@matthewcanary3670]

For real! My fan turned my hood ugly on my e34:(

[@willjam465]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These upgrades are essential for E36 M3 owners peace of mind. Good stuff, Matt!

[@josedelatorre1973]

This guy makes it look easy because he knows what he’s doing

[@user-kg8nj2ze1c]

Grass is green and the sky is blue.

[@jasonn4397]

Great job Eb, you’re a natural sir. Really looking forward to the next episode.

[@davidavila9991]

I think he needs to do a few more before he does one with his eyes closed

[@kanenstuff]

I just brought a E36 in Malaysia where it's 30 degrees Celsius every day. I have yet to take delivery due to all the holidays here atm. I will be doing a lot of the work myself and these video's are great thanks.

[@cadillacshak5600]

OG Spec=perfection! How things get done right with the maximum level of attention to detail . Love this stuff!

[@thelukestormwalker]

Missed a detail though wrong coolant

[@MikeSmirnov]

Dude, the lighting for video is so much better. Good job!

[@PabloConcrete]

Matt? Why is this guy not wearing an Obsessed Garage t-shirt?

[@mycarvideo4595]

Thank you so much for explaining this step by step.

[@FatEnoughRecords]

Love those Dynaudio monitors!

[@chris8357]

Great vid, I wish you guys made this 2 years earlier because I pretty much did the exact same and bought most of the same things for my e36 but not the low temp switch. I just hooked it up to my pull fan power and put a makeshift tunnel where the pull fan was.

[@vanoskvlt]

This car looks brand fkn new. Amazing.

[@ItsBabaEro]

I just did this job today and I wish I found this video before I started

[@tonylam397]

Awesome video you guys! Would love some parts for my restore project of the 1997 M3 that has been sitting for 20 years. Awesome video you guys!

[@user-zb6ez4jl3u]

2nd! This guy really knows his stuff

[@stashtrey1]

The vacuum/venturi coolant bleed/fill system is the ONLY way to fill an e36. They are such a PITA to bleed otherwise. That MAC setup is nice.

[@ianstropus]

Great video. I will definitely refer to it this winter when replacing mine. Vanos video in the works possibly?

[@cartherapy1833]

Dude. I think something went wrong with my car!!!! Supercharger is making a funky sound! Contacted VF about it. 😎

[@fernandoq9334]

That's the driest looking e36 motor I've ever seen. This car is in amazing condition.

[@Marri-Tech]

I'd absolutely love to see mats reaction to driving one of rudnicks cars if he ever goes to there new shop... Be a hoot

[@joshuam6828]

I bought a Zionsville Radiator for my E34 M50TU. And I already had a Spal wiring kit. The white temp switch sensor has 3 prongs. I assume I’ll be using the stock pre existing connector from the old one. But the color of my wires are different. I got a purple striped and a solid brown. And I highly doubt this third wire is green or red.

[@justinmarquez2826]

I did the same things on my 95 318i. Which I miss so much

[@sterling5543]

After modifying these cars for so long I forgot how much of a rats nest the OEM setups are

[@MrBellyman128]

Should I get the turner motorsports under drive pulleys kit? Is it worth it?

[@nosvader6401]

Im suprised the Dry ice machine didnt come out when he got rad and hoses pulled.

[@ObsessedGarage]

I don't have any ice...or I would have.

[@necromancer___3054]

I need the link for That impact driver! My birthday is coming up

[@cizbarca]

what if I dont replace EVERY hose. Im using the Mishimoto e36 cooling kit.. did I not get something good

[@leosenpai9380]

What size is that wrench for the fan clutch ?

[@Mr7O5]

Were the tools dry ice cleaned before they were put away?

[@ilikechickensausages2075]

😂😂😂 So true

[@thelukestormwalker]

Not OG spec using green coolant in a BMW is wrong and can cause damage it doesn't matter what was in it the proper thing to do would be to flush the green out and replace. The green will clog coolant passages eventually.

[@ObsessedGarage]

That's nonsense.

[@thelukestormwalker]

@@ObsessedGarage no it's not it's been proven time and time again in the bmw community there are things in green coolant that cause internal corrosion this a well known fact you can choose to damage your engine if you like but any BMW tech will tell you not to do this. I thought better of OG but I guess you aren't that obsessed

[@ds98136]

@@thelukestormwalker correct, some green coolant can cause a lot of corrosion. G05 is ok, although you don’t see it in green often.

[@thelukestormwalker]

@@ds98136 I am unsure what G05 has anything to do with this G05 is yellow I still would not recommend anything other then blue per BMW.

[@kellinpatler]

I was thinking the same thing. It doesn’t matter what was in there before, using BMW Coolant is the correct way to complete the job. A full flush and refill with the blue BMW coolant would be the right way to do the job.

[@allan5721]

Share the spreadsheet?

[@richardmesser1091]

With that air intake being so low won't water in rainy Florida be a problem

[@j.3854]

He doesn’t drive this car in the rain.

[@richardmesser1091]

@@j.3854 Or any other time

[@stashtrey1]

Should have swapped the M50 manifold on there.

[@Porsche993gt2twin]

Did he forgett the clutch fan??

[@grvyrdgang5672]

Where can I find one of those radiators with built in expansion tanks

[@ObsessedGarage]

Zionsville

[@richardpowell723]

👍

[@photobriangray]

Definitely should do the M50 intake manifold. Do it.

[@araboharabedian]

Hey im pretty sure he put your thermostat on in the wrong direction, the arrow isnt facing upward, replay the video too youll see what im saying sorry to tell you mate,

[@kiehna84]

Didn’t see him test the thermostat in boiling water or check the mounting surface of the aluminum thermostat housing with a straight edge. New fan clutch and fan blade is the way to go, not electric. A few minutes under the car he could have pulled the block drain and gone back with BMW blue coolant. Would have been a great time to change the starter “while your there” Do you plan on securing the oil pump nut? A VDO gauge pod where the sunglasses holder is located would have been a great upgrade while everything was out of the way. That way you get a real water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure gauge.

[@stashtrey1]

I'd have to say removing the intake manifold on am S52 is one of the more unpleasant jobs. The mess of hoses and vacuum underneath is sure to rip your hands up. The harness and fuel lines and rail are such a pain in the ass to work with trying to get the manifold out. Hope I never have to do it again after having done it several times.

[@Sammyzuko]

Rudnick spec

[@ObsessedGarage]

Ha, ha...

[@gahansel]

I wonder if Matt is thinking about the comment “I didn’t have the tool” ………

[@TechTokOffical]

Did ALL that extra preventive maintenance and changing hoses and then didn't change the coolant temp sensor that is known to go bad

[@nandor690]

Did someone whisper “cavitate” to him 🤣

[@beachmotosportsbeachmotors9500]

Green Coolant inside ??? please tell me its no true.

[@KNZTECH]

i break my motor because the oem conception i upgrade with alu system more more better

[@o0lunchboxxx0o91]

Oh god they had green coolant in there never put anything but blue unless you have no other choice that

[@grvyrdgang5672]

Update ?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Car is at E3 Customs now getting the stereo and interior done.

[@MidniteRape]

First!

[@Nick210]

Congratulations.

[@valvemonky4734]

@@Nick210 i second that

[@elrolo3711]

You should name the applicable parts correctly and the camera work is poor, your arms cover the view etc. Sorry but Not impressed, waste our time.

[@christianschoener-scott1896]

I’m sorry but who the fuck are you? You a director? Mechanic ? Camera operator ? ? No you’re probably a bum. Not impressed waste of time

[@ryanp135]

What you should be doing after replacing all those parts is using waterless coolant . Lasts longer, cools the engine better and faster , and doesn't turn aesthetic and eat all the plastic coolant parts BMW , Benz, and many others are now using to save time, weight & $$$ on manufacturing vehicles . www.evanscoolant.com/ is what I put in all my vehicles including older vehicles. Since I have done so I haven't had to replace water pumps, hoses, or plastic parts as often . Ever Ferrari is now using waterless coolants in their vehicles