Subject: 740 blew its coolant expansion tank today... Author: driise : member since March, 2004 : 31 posts Posted on: 2005-04-21 22:32:25

My wife was driving home tonight, and on 190 she got a coolant temp notice on the MID. Unfortunately she didn't pay much attention to it, and continued to drive into town until she was about 2 miles from home in heavy traffic and the car shut its self down. (i'm guessing the car has an engine temp protection system or something??) She was unable to re-start it so she called me. I got there about 20 min later (because I wasn't by my phone) and notice some coolant in the engine compartment, pop the cap and the expansion tank was dry. tried to start the car, it started, but turned over very slow. called a tow truck and got it home. by that time almost an hour since the car died, i was able to start it right up and drive it into my garage.. seemed to run fine, no shake, miss, etc. can we say thank god for synthetic oil? I'm thinking Moble 1 saved my car...

anyway, I poored some water in the expansion tank and it immediately leaked out so I ripped it out of the car.. When I shake it, it rattles, I flipped it upside down and some plastic part came out?????? I'm guessing its bad :-)

so far I've ordered:
expansion tank
coolant sensor
tank cap
oil filter (oil doesn't smell bad, but i'm changing it anyway)

Any other suggestions of things I should check out while i'm repairing it? radiator looked fine, hoses look fine... is there anything i can check to verify this didn't hurt the engine? I'm a little concerned since its all aluminum and it got REALLY hot (burned my hand touching the oil filter cap...)

thanks....

• 740 blew its coolant expansion tank today... - driise 2005-04-21 22:32:25 (1054 views)
  • Back on the road.... - driise 2005-04-26 20:13:49 (811 views)
  • I have taken the liberty of moving your post over to E38 forum, where you are (url) - JL 2005-04-22 00:20:19 (864 views)
    • thanks James, I should have posted out there to start with, wasn't thinking! (nt) - driise 2005-04-22 08:40:24 (835 views)
      • You are welcome! Glad to help! (nt) - JL 2005-04-22 18:39:56 (813 views)