When do i replace the radiator in my 1999 BMW 328i with 95k?

Things You'll Need

• Waste oil collection pan
• Needle nose pliers
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Wrench set
• Socket set
• Antifreeze
• Water

1. Draining the Cooling System
   • 1 Locate the petcock valve on the lower right corner of the radiator and place a waste oil collection pan underneath it.
     
   • 2 Open the petcock valve by turning it counterclockwise, using needle nose pliers.
     
   • 3 Wait until all the coolant has drained out then close the petcock valve by turning it clockwise.
     
   Removing the Radiator
   • 1 Loosen the hose clamp that connects the upper radiator hose to the radiator using a Phillips head screwdriver. Then pull the upper radiator hose off the radiator.
     
   • 2 Loosen the hose clamp that connects the lower radiator hose to the radiator using a Phillips head screwdriver. Then pull the hose off the radiator.
     
   • 3 Unscrew the transmission cooler lines from the radiator (automatic transmission only) using a wrench.
     
   • 4 Unscrew the bolts that secure the radiator to the core support, using a socket.
     
   • 5 Lift the radiator straight up to remove it from the vehicle.
     
   Installing the Radiator
   • 1 Lower the radiator into position behind the core support. Be careful: the cooling fins are thin and can be easily damaged.
     
   • 2 Screw the bolts that secure the radiator into the core support. Tighten with a socket.
     
   • 3 Thread the transmission cooler line fittings into the radiator. Tighten with a wrench.
     
   • 4 Slide the lower radiator hose onto the fitting on the bottom of the radiator. Slide the hose clamp over the fitting and tighten with a Phillips head screwdriver.
     
   • 5 Slide the upper radiator hose onto the fitting on the top of the radiator. Slide the hose clamp over the fitting and tighten with a Phillips head screwdriver.
     
   • 6 Fill the engine with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
     
   • 7 Run the engine and visually inspect for leaks.
     

does the upper and lower hoses seem to be the same temp when car begins to overheat? ore the radiator cooling fans coming on before the car overheats? did you pressure test the cooling system and radiator cap? also may want to remove the lower hose and flush the radiator. is the check engine light on and does it run bad?

Many old radiators are to corroded to allow you to drain at the "petcock valve"...usually located at the bottom of the radiator on the opposite side as the lower radiator hose connection...Your easiest, but messy drain can be accomplished by disconnecting the lower radiator hose at the radiator connection...yes replacing this hose, and the upper hose is recommended when servicing or replacing your radiator:)

remove fan nut w/special tool. left h. thread. remove fan and shroud @ the same time. remove air box, upper and lower hoses, disconnect heat sensor, and small hose to overflow can. it's tight but it will wiggle out of there

Nissan Car 350Z & Maxima 1999-06 Radiator - Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Coolant reservoir tank and bracket Upper mounting bracket Upper radiator hose Oil cooler lines, if equipped Lower radiator hose Cooling fan and condenser fan Fan motors and shields Radiator

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   Radiator Fan motors and shields Cooling and condenser fans and torque the bolts to 44 inch lbs. (5 Nm) Lower radiator hose Oil cooler lines, if equipped Upper radiator hose Upper mounting bracket Coolant reservoir tank and bracket and torque the bolt to 44 inch lbs. (5 Nm) Negative battery cable
2. Fill the cooling system to the proper level.
3. Start the vehicle, check for leaks and repair if necessary.

WARNING Do not remove radiator cap when engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high-pressure engine coolant escaping from radiator. Wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly turn it a quarter of a turn to release built-up pressure. Carefully remove radiator cap by turning it all the way.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Coolant reservoir tank and bracket Upper mounting bracket Upper radiator hose Oil cooler lines, if equipped Lower radiator hose Cooling fan and condenser fan Fan motors and shields Radiator
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   Radiator Fan motors and shields Cooling and condenser fans and torque the bolts to 44 inch lbs. (5 Nm) Lower radiator hose Oil cooler lines, if equipped Upper radiator hose Upper mounting bracket Coolant reservoir tank and bracket and torque the bolt to 44 inch lbs. (5 Nm) Negative battery cable


2. Fill the cooling system to the proper level.
3. Start the vehicle, check for leaks and repair if necessary.

WARNING Do not remove radiator cap when engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high-pressure engine coolant escaping from radiator. Wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly turn it a quarter of a turn to release built-up pressure. Carefully remove radiator cap by turning it all the way.


Fig. Exploded view of radiator and components

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   CAUTION Do not damage or scratch the A/C condenser and radiator core while removing.
   CAUTION Because A/C condenser is onto the front-lower portion of radiator, moving to rear direction should be at minimum.
   Negative battery cable Engine cover Air duct and air cleaner case assembly Bracket mounting bolt for anchoring A/C piping Reservoir tank and bracket Upper and lower radiator hoses Radiator cooling fan assembly On A/T models, A/T fluid cooler hoses. Plug hoses to avoid leakage Cover, then two A/C condensing mounting bolts located in the upper part of the radiator Rotate two radiator upper mount brackets 90 degrees in the direction shown in the illustration and remove
   
   Fig. Removing A/C condensing mounting bolts
   
   
   
   Fig. Rotating radiator upper mount brackets 90 degrees
   
   
   
   Fig. Removing radiator
   
4. Remove the radiator by performing the following:
   CAUTION Lifting A/C condenser should be minimum to prevent a load to A/C piping.
   With lifting and pulling radiator in a rear direction, disassemble lower mount from radiator core support center. Lift A/C condenser up and remove radiator after disengaging the fitting as front-bottom surface After removing radiator, put A/C condenser on radiator core support center to prevent a load to A/C piping, and temporarily fix it with rope or similar means

To install:

1. To install, reverse removal procedure.
2. Check radiator cap for any leaks.
3. Start and warm up engine. Check for engine coolant leaks and A/T fluid leaks.

Hope this help (remember comment and rated this).

I would take it back and get one that matches. do the hoses even reach?
If you want to force it to work then you risk inefficient cooling of the gearbox oil but the lower hose is usually the out hose from the radiator and the upper hose is fluid in. :O)

On the 2.7L engine, follow the lower radiator hose to the engine. Where that rubber hose stops and it attached to, that is the thermostat housing. Remove that housing and the thermostat is sitting there.


On the 3.2L and 3.5L motor, follow the heater hoses to the engine along with the radiator hose and that is the thermostat housing. Remove the housing and there is the thermostat.

If the temperature is normal, you have serviced it regularly, don't have any leaks and the radiator looks to be in good shape on the outside, I see no reason to be replacing it. I've had many radiators last well over 200k without problems. It's not a bad idea to replace old worn items but if you begin changing everything else on your vehicle that's old, where do you stop?

there is no set mileage at which a radiator is replaced, the coolant should be replaced every 100,000 miles though.

Change thermostat.