1997 BMW 540I Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly Problems

THE RADIATOR NECK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY 1997 540I. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW BY ALL ACCOUNTS, OWNERS, TECHNICIANS AND EVEN MY OWN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IT WITH AN 1988 735I. PLASTIC PARTS ON THE RADIATOR IS UNACCEPTABLE, DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ON THESE EXPENSIVE LUXURY VEHICLES WITH NO RESOLUTION BY BMW.*AK

(1) REPLACED WATER PUMP AND ACCESSORY BELTS. ON A FORUM THAT I READ, MANY SUGGEST REPLACING THE RADIATOR WHEN REPLACING THE WATER PUMP, AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DUE TO THE RADIATOR'S HIGH AND FREQUENT FAILURE. REPLACE THE RADIATOR AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?!? I WOULD RATHER NOT. A RADIATOR IS NOT AN OIL OR AIR FILTER. (2) UPPER NECK ON THE RADIATOR BROKE AND RELEASED MORE THAN A GALLON OF COOLANT, IN LESS THAN 50 FEET, IN THE FORM OF LIQUID AND STEAM. THE STEAM OBSCURED VISION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. (3) NO REPAIR AS OF YET. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM. I MADE IT HOME AT 12:05 P.M. I CALLED THE LOCAL BMW PARTS DEPARTMENT (ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES AWAY) TO ARRANGE TO PAY FOR THE RADIATOR BY CREDIT CARD AND THEN...

THE RADIATOR IN MY 1997 BMW 540I HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

MY 1997 BMW 540I 6-SPEED HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE AT 77,500 MILES. THE PLASTIC RADIATOR CONNECTION POINT FOR THE TOP HOSE SNAPPED OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOW ISSUE AFTER SPEAKING WITH BMW SERVICE TECHS AND SEARCHING BMW INTERNET SITES.*AK I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.

I OWN A 1997 BMW 540I. RADIATOR BROKE AT PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT. COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AMONG OWNERS OF THIS CAR DUE TO THE PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE HOSE AND THE RADIATOR. *NLM

MY 1997 BMW 540I6 RADIATOR BROKE ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON 5/30/03. *AK

1997, BMW, 540I RADIATOR FAILURE @ 77,500 MILES (DETECTED BY BMW DEALER DURING ROUTINE SERVICE INSPECTION); RADIATOR REPLACED AT MY COST.*AK

RADIATOR FAILURE ON BMW 540I WITH ONLY 51K MILES, CAUSING LOSS OF TRACTION AND ALMOST A WRECK

THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE UNEXPECTLY SEPARATED FROM THE RADIATOR. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AT THE HOSE FITTING. THE RESULTING STEAM CLOUD AND WATER DEPOSITS ON WINDSHIELD ABRUPTLY OBSCURED VISION, LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NON-REINFORCED PLASTIC IS AN UNSAFE MATERIAL FOR USE IN THIS APPLICATION.