coolant expansion / overflow tank, 85 318i

[hujev]

hi, just bought this last week, first bmw... so, the question is, did this car have an expansion tank originally? i get conflicting messaged if i try to search for the part on various parts suppliers. anyway, trhe radiator was apparently replaced a year or so ago, and now the only thing is an overflow tube, which just runs down to the bottom of the radiator...

one clue is that there was no overhead idiot light panel (thus no coolant low sensor display).

seems like there's plenly of room to add/replace the overflow tank, as well as making it a hell of a lot easier to see the coolant level... seems a little crazy that it wouldn't have had one originally, though!

any ideas? it'd be fairly easy, i suppose...

[kenkorsak]

you can check bavauto.com. all you do is put your year and model and it lets you search through all the parts for your specific car. you can even get a catalog sent to you. good luck

[Lanc3r]

hi, just bought this last week, first bmw... so, the question is, did this car have an expansion tank originally? i get conflicting messaged if i try to search for the part on various parts suppliers. anyway, trhe radiator was apparently replaced a year or so ago, and now the only thing is an overflow tube, which just runs down to the bottom of the radiator...

one clue is that there was no overhead idiot light panel (thus no coolant low sensor display).

seems like there's plenly of room to add/replace the overflow tank, as well as making it a hell of a lot easier to see the coolant level... seems a little crazy that it wouldn't have had one originally, though!

any ideas? it'd be fairly easy, i suppose...


There is no overflow tank on the 84-85 318. As far as adding a tank, I woudnt do it, the engine is way easy to maintain, and the temp gauge is your buddy.

[TC Baur]

Hi all, I just bought an 83 318i and noticed there was no coolant expansion tank, no idea why it wouldnt have been there. My manual has pictures of one in it so I have a bought a second hand one to put in. Should I bother or not???

[Rekcedbob]

Does your car have fuel injection? If it has a carburator, put it in if you know how to plumb it.