[bhashe]

Hi guys i have 2008 e90 that have a huge coolant leak
i thought it was the hose above the radiator and replaced as it was cracked but now i see it leaking from the radiator upper driver side.
how can i know if the radiator is bad or if there is anything else causing the issue


am trying to work on my own car and still learning so anything you know will be so helpful
Here is a picture I took earlier today


thank you so much

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

It's definitely the radiator.

[bhashe]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

It's definitely the radiator.

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

It's definitely the radiator.

Do you know if anyway to replace that part or the whole radiator need to be replaced
And if so is it worth looking for an upgraded radiator or just stick with the oem

Thank you

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by bhashe

Do you know if anyway to replace that part or the whole radiator need to be replaced
And if so is it worth looking for an upgraded radiator or just stick with the oem

Thank you

You need to replace the whole radiator. You can buy a CSF all-aluminum radiator which is a pretty popular upgrade. It costs about 2-3x an OEM or Nissens one.

[bhashe]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

You need to replace the whole radiator. You can buy a CSF all-aluminum radiator which is a pretty popular upgrade. It costs about 2-3x an OEM or Nissens one.

Much appreciated ❤️

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

You need to replace the whole radiator. You can buy a CSF all-aluminum radiator which is a pretty popular upgrade. It costs about 2-3x an OEM or Nissens one.

The original lasted 14 years. What is the point of replacing it with something "better" but radically more expensive?

OP - just buy a Nissens radiator - it will almost certainly last longer than you will own this car, and work just fine, for less than $150 at the usual online parts suspects.

[bhashe]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

The original lasted 14 years. What is the point of replacing it with something "better" but radically more expensive?

OP - just buy a Nissens radiator - it will almost certainly last longer than you will own this car, and work just fine, for less than $150 at the usual online parts suspects.

Thanks I will look into that as well, I found oem used on eBay but they look in rough condition and was thinking if I can buy one thats similar to the oem or better while cheaper to go that route

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by bhashe

Thanks I will look into that as well, I found oem used on eBay but they look in rough condition and was thinking if I can buy one thats similar to the oem or better while cheaper to go that route

Nissens and Mahle-Behr are both good ones. I used Nissens my last go around.

[bhashe]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Nissens and Mahle-Behr are both good ones. I used Nissens my last go around.

Thanks I will check them out too

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by bhashe

Thanks I will check them out too

Behr rads had issues. Many people, including myself, had to replace the new Behr rads within a year. Mine actually failed within 9 months.
Few shops in my area even stopped sourcing them because of all the warranty claims they had to do.

Speaking with one mechanic, it seems that there was a bad production batch in 2020. He mentioned he's had 10 of them come back within a year.

I got a Nissenss from Rockauto and it's been good so far. We will see what happens when winter comes.

Make sure you get the correct variant for automatic transmission vs manual.