Leaking Rad Hose

Been loosing about 1/2 litre of coolant a week.
Found where it's leaking from today. Its on the lower hose behind the sensor.....could be a split or coming from the crimped hose clip.



Looked like it was gonna be a PITA to get to the bottom hose connector but found Shipkillers excellent write up here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=9385and it looks a lot simpler job now.

Gonna give Jamie at Sopers a call tomorrow if they're open and get one sent out to me.

Change the sensor as well ......its usually the sensor "O" ring that leaks (which isnt available seperatly) .....and its not expensive

slick said:

Change the sensor as well ......its usually the sensor "O" ring that leaks (which isnt available seperatly) .....and its not expensive

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Cheers for that Slick......did wonder if it was the sensor O-Ring.
Will order as well.

Dont forget a how-to with pics!

If the price is too hairy at the dealers and its any one of these, you can take it for a norminal price.

They are off a 2.2 engine 2004 year, but dont know if they the same as 3.0.

I replaced the same hose last month, it wasn't that expensive, circa 30 euros for the hose I think.

I also ordered the sensor at the same time.( cost extra)

To remove the lower connection, jack up the front of the car and remove the engine floor plan. Then you can reach the bottom hose connector. Pull the metal spring clip off an gently try to man over the lower end free. If like mine it was stuck solid, get two larger screwdrivers or even better two pry bars and lever the hose off whilst giggling it at the same time. The rubber o ring will be trapped against all the built up dirt behind the connection.

Clean both unions on the engine/ radiator, and apply a very small amount of silicone grease to the o rings on the the new hose.

With a firm grip hold the spring clip in the open position, and push the hose onto the radiator, you should now feel the spring locate fully and it should not sit proud.
The same procedure with the thermostat housing connection and undo the small bread screw on the pipe next to the filler bottle. Top up with coolant and massage the top hose with your hand by squizing it. Close the blead screw and check the cold level of the coolant bottle.
Start the engine, put the heating into Hot, and run the motor, undo the blead screw again, and add coolant untill it flows out.
Keep the motor running and open the screw after about 2-3 minutes, check the temperature of the top hose by gripping to with your hand and slowly unscrew the blead screw two turns, or just enough that a small trickle of coolant is released. Now nip it back up and as long as your levels are ok after letting the car cool down and rechecking the filler bottle. Take out for a drive to get to normal working temp and recheck.

I found that the metal crimped band on my hose was letting a small trickle of coolant passed when the car was hot.

Hope this helps

foxy-stoat said:

If the price is too hairy at the dealers and its any one of these, you can take it for a norminal price.

They are off a 2.2 engine 2004 year, but dont know if they the same as 3.0.

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Hi Foxy

It's the one on the right hand side with the sensor. Just checked on Realoem and it's the same as the 3.0.
My car was manufactured in March 04 And the hose Part No. changes from April 04 onwards.
They look the same so there's a chance it may fit even your 2.2 was post April.
Would like to take you up on your kind offer if the price is acceptable and you could get it posted out this week. Can you leave the sensor in as well as it was suggested that the O-Ring goes on these and that may even be the problem with mine.
Please let me know.

Cheers

Jim

Nathanhu said:

I found that the metal crimped band on my hose was letting a small trickle of coolant passed when the car was hot.

Hope this helps

Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to reply....it'll be a great help when I come to fit.

I too think that mine is leaking from the crimped metal hose clip or the sensor O-Ring.

Replied to your PM Jim.

I would check the O ring first as they are pennies to buy, and if the crimped clip has failed, these are very cheap too.

foxy-stoat said:

Replied to your PM Jim.

I would check the O ring first as they are pennies to buy, and if the crimped clip has failed, these are very cheap too.

Click to expand...

Hi Foxy

Could you resend the PM......my Inbox was full.

Cheers

Replaced the hose yesterday with the hose I bought from foxy-stoat. Thank you foxy.

Dead simple job if you follow shipkillers excellent write up here. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=9385
Really is a 45 minute to 1 hour job. Easily done from the top of the car with the cooling fan removed which is held in by 1 screw and a plastic removable rivet. When removing the old hose you cannot twist the couplings at each end to get off like a conventional hose as they're "keyed". Once the retaining clip is released the top one pulls off easily and I used a pry bar on the bottom one. Plenty of silicon Grease on the O-Seals on the new one and the couplings push on a treat.

Top up with coolant and bleed from the bleed screw adjacent to the filler cap and the job's done.