Help: M20 coolant expansion tank problem...

[W3S2H3]

[UPDATE @ 15th August 2008]Apologize for bringing back the old thread.Just want to share what I've found and done to contra the problem I had...It's an expansion tank from E23 (7'er), thou I can't seem to get any reference from RealOEM...But here's a LINK to the site which I first got the info...Minor works need to be done to get it in thou:1. a bracket to further support as only 1 side of it fits the chassis;2. need a longer hose (the slimmer one that goes back to the radiator).Other than that, everything else fits perfectly...Result:So far so good...Anyway, encountered a new problem and need further assistance...It's been diagnosed that my radiator is having very little leakage, somewhere around the "tulang" where the the rubber case on the side is meeting with the aluminum...And SO unfortunately, it seems that BEHR has re-designed the D@MN thing and now the lower part mounting of the radiator no longer sit right onto the rubber bush (some kinda stopper) on the chassis.Am wondering whether there's any other alternative to better quality radiator to fit my Pre-88 M20 6-Pot Manual...Thanks in advance!-------------------------------------------------------------------------[ORIGINAL POST @ 12th March 2008]Dear Sifus,Object: Original plastic type tank and cap.Problem: Cap won't close correctly/appropriately.Result: Half tank of water went "missing" every morning!It has been a problem some 1 or 2 years back so I got the whole thing changed, new tank and new cap, problem solved then. But now it strikes back! I'm wondering whether or not someone here experienced or saw any retrofit (any type) of expansion tank that retains the working state of the original sensor...I once say some older models with a similar looking tank, the only difference is it's got a steel type radiator cap that can be found in any car, like this:

Appreciate if anyone can help me out with this :top: Thanks a bunch!

 

[sgbuloh_e90]

Dear Sifus,

Object: Original plastic type tank and cap.
Problem: Cap won't close correctly/appropriately.
Result: Half tank of water went "missing" every morning!

It has been a problem some 1 or 2 years back so I got the whole thing changed, new tank and new cap, problem solved then. But now it strikes back!

I'm wondering whether or not someone here experienced or saw any retrofit (any type) of expansion tank that retains the working state of the original sensor...

I once say some older models with a similar looking tank, the only difference is it's got a steel type radiator cap that can be found in any car, like this:

Appreciate if anyone can help me out with this :top:
Thanks a bunch!

try replacing the coolant tank cap ..
sometimes the cap itself will konk out n lose pressure thus not pushign any coolant to the engine (overheating)

since u changed the cap n tank . i reckon it wouldnt be the tank unless the leak from the tank is obvious .

try checking the cap's underneath valve whether its still can be pushed in n out.
mine gave out few month's back , was driving back home almost without coolant.
imagine the idling was at 2.5k rpm ... scared the shite out of me.

the valve on the cap should be able to push in n out . if it stays pushed out or in . means gone liao.

if that doesnt help , just check ur radiator hoses might be small leaks that are not noticeable.


hope this helps.
:top:

 

[Rastabimmer]

Sometimes trip at coolant tank have been loose (due to overheat) so it can effect the cap wont closed properly....OR rubber seal at cap have damage,mine oso got this problem last year,now i used m40 cap & it's ok until now....

 

[W3S2H3]

try replacing the coolant tank cap ..
sometimes the cap itself will konk out n lose pressure thus not pushign any coolant to the engine (overheating)

since u changed the cap n tank . i reckon it wouldnt be the tank unless the leak from the tank is obvious .

try checking the cap's underneath valve whether its still can be pushed in n out.
mine gave out few month's back , was driving back home almost without coolant.
imagine the idling was at 2.5k rpm ... scared the shite out of me.

the valve on the cap should be able to push in n out . if it stays pushed out or in . means gone liao.

if that doesnt help , just check ur radiator hoses might be small leaks that are not noticeable.


hope this helps.
:top:

Yup, got both of the cap (old and new) checked out and they are fine.
I've went to twp different workshops earlier and 1 of them even took almost a week to check out what's wrong with the missing water.
Funny thing is everything seems to be fine when the car is with them...
They've done all sort of method to test including applying pressure through the tank, no leak; start and let the engine run for few hours, water level never drops;
They even took out a few round to KL city for some 2 hours drive and no sign of missing water... :stupid:

Then the rest of the days car is fine with me driving around until last week when I wanted to top up water. According to them, new caps seem to have this problem. And that's why I'm looking for alternative, possible retrofitting 1 to save all the hassle.

And Yah, waiting for green light with the car idling at 2K rpm makes me look stupid :stupid:

Anyway, thanks for your reply! :top:

Sometimes trip at coolant tank have been loose (due to overheat) so it can effect the cap wont closed properly....OR rubber seal at cap have damage,mine oso got this problem last year,now i used m40 cap & it's ok until now....

Would you mind find me a pic of the M40 cap? I can't seem to be able to locate any from Google. Straight in with no modification?! Is it something like this:

BTW, it would be appreciated if you can provide me with the part number of the M40 cap, as well as some reference prices

Cheers!

 

[Rastabimmer]

It's not like this bro,it's similar to m20 cap i think,i got the cap at spare part & they said m40 cap can fit to m20 tank no need mod,ok i'll get a pic soon...(if i have time...hehe)

 

[W3S2H3]

It's not like this bro,it's similar to m20 cap i think,i got the cap at spare part & they said m40 cap can fit to m20 tank no need mod,ok i'll get a pic soon...(if i have time...hehe)

Aight, thanks a lot man! :top:

Wah, where's all the other E30 gurus in the house? So cold kah?
Or I'm the only poor soul here facing this funny problem?! :stupid:

Anyway, found another M20-look tank with steel cap.
(*NOTE: It's different from the first picture I posted)



Mana mau cari?! :wink:

 

[turbology]

When I have trouble with my power windows, I look at ths site for part number, then order it locally.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw

Hope this will help you.

Your engine look different. E30 M3 ?

 

[sgbuloh_e90]

Aight, thanks a lot man! :top:

Wah, where's all the other E30 gurus in the house? So cold kah?
Or I'm the only poor soul here facing this funny problem?! :stupid:

Anyway, found another M20-look tank with steel cap.
(*NOTE: It's different from the first picture I posted)



Mana mau cari?! :wink:

wahhh ...at one time , s38 engine ...then m60 engine ...
put either one inside ur engine bay = :burnout:

 

[Rastabimmer]

Aight, thanks a lot man! :top:

Wah, where's all the other E30 gurus in the house? So cold kah?
Or I'm the only poor soul here facing this funny problem?! :stupid:

Anyway, found another M20-look tank with steel cap.
(*NOTE: It's different from the first picture I posted)



Mana mau cari?! :wink:

Ok,no problemo bro....
Now i attach u both cap for m20 tank,pic1 is ori cap that i use before & pic2 is cap i used now (i think m40 cap or maybe m20 cap for motoronic engine,not confirm lor..hehe)
Hmm,that's great if we can change the plastic oem cap to steel cap,but oso must change whole set with the tank :top:

 

[W3S2H3]

When I have trouble with my power windows, I look at ths site for part number, then order it locally.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw

Hope this will help you.

Your engine look different. E30 M3 ?

Too bad I've got no idea in which model specifically should I look for (i.e. M20 look-a-like tank with steel cap)...

Took a quick browse based on my model and found that they didn't include part number for tank and cap, will try harder later... :burnout:

Anyway, thanks for the head-up :top:
BTW, here's another site with more pictures: http://bmwfans.info/

Mine M20 engine, those are reference pictures I found on the web.

wahhh ...at one time , s38 engine ...then m60 engine ...
put either one inside ur engine bay = :burnout:

Hehehe... how I wish

Ok,no problemo bro....
Now i attach u both cap for m20 tank,pic1 is ori cap that i use before & pic2 is cap i used now (i think m40 cap or maybe m20 cap for motoronic engine,not confirm lor..hehe)
Hmm,that's great if we can change the plastic oem cap to steel cap,but oso must change whole set with the tank :top:

Thanks a lot for your effort Bro! :top:
Fortunate and unfortunately, that's the exact same one as both of my caps...
According to some workshop sifus, these new caps seem to have this problem.



That's the problem when we don't know where exactly the tank came from (i.e. which specific model). I wouldn't mind changing the whole thing just to save some hassles.

Cheers!

 

[W3S2H3]

Aiks... no more clues?!

 

[6099]

I got water loss problem also. Funny thing is I decided to fill water to the max (no space for air in tank). Then water loss problem no more. Scratch head. hee hee.

 

[W3S2H3]

Oppsss... thread went Holland...
Bump to the top!
Read first post please!!!