Subject: Zionsville: The Fiasco That Never Ends (long) Author: kosmokratur : member since August, 2008 : 225 posts Posted on: 2010-09-04 12:23:21

Good Saturday to all.
Some may recall that, several weeks ago, I purchased the Super Duty cooling kit for my '00 750iL, and have had a nighmare of getting it to work properly.
About a week ago, I bought and installed a new radiator cap. I refilled the coolant, first following Zville's limited instructions and then using the "squeeze" procedure. Over a few short trips (10-12 miles), the car seemed to heat up to 108, operate properly, and lose just an ounce or two of coolant. After squeezing the heater hoses, I was even getting even heat out of the vents on both sides.

I was guessing that the cap just needed to be seriously torqued down, and that the coolant level was slowly dropping merely because of residual bubbles.

Not so. This morning, I checked the coolant level, made sure the cap was carefully and tightly screwed down, and went for a test drive, hoping I could declare the problems solved. About 12 miles out, I got a "check coolant level" message, and hi-tailed it back home. The KTMP varied between 108 and 113 degrees, except in the last mile it dropped down to about 96. When I parked it and opened the hood, sure enough, there was a river of coolant flowing out from under the cap.
Any theories about this never-ending saga? Is there a possibility the threads on the rad were machined out of spec? It does seem the cap installation is more difficult than on the stock rad.
I hate to say it, but I'm getting close to the point of riping this boondoggle out of the car and buying the original equipment plastic cr@p from the dealer. No disrespect to others who have bought the system and adore it, but I just am not having that experience.

2000 750iL, Orientblau
1997 540/6, Montrealblau
Finger Lakes, NY & Alexandria, VA

• Zionsville: The Fiasco That Never Ends (long) - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 12:23:21 (239 views)
  • Zionsville Bleed Procedure is a little difficult. This procedure is best when - HighLine740iL 2010-09-05 22:00:19 (231 views)
    • Thanks - I'll try this. - kosmokratur 2010-09-07 14:30:09 (58 views)
      • If you need help let me know I'm in Bethesda MD (nt) - HighLine740iL 2010-09-08 08:43:29 (49 views)
  • I think that your problem is still an air bubble - theref 2010-09-04 17:34:03 (97 views)
    • Possible... - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 18:37:06 (143 views)
      • how could you use that much - you are not using that stuff full strength are you - TxDarth 2010-09-04 18:48:40 (93 views)
        • Nope. - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 19:00:59 (92 views)
          • When I did mine I did not even use 2 gal to finish completely. (nt) - TxDarth 2010-09-04 19:29:13 (82 views)
            • That's about what I used in my 540 this spring (nt) (nt) - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 22:29:48 (57 views)
  • Seems the issue is the cap itself...I doubt its the radiator but - Snitch740i 2010-09-04 13:57:47 (79 views)
    • I'll see what they say but... 3 different caps? (nt) - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 14:28:43 (75 views)
  • Since I have a Zion with zero problems I would go back to Zion at this point... - TxDarth 2010-09-04 13:42:47 (86 views)
    • The theromstat is new... - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 13:55:45 (68 views)
    • Roger he has the limited spaced V12..U have the V8 with lots of room. Big differ - Snitch740i 2010-09-04 13:54:38 (78 views)
  • Re: Zionsville: The Fiasco That Never Ends (long) - jorgen 2010-09-04 12:40:19 (115 views)
    • Re: Zionsville: The Fiasco That Never Ends (long) - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 13:11:03 (87 views)
      • Re: Zionsville: The Fiasco That Never Ends (long) - jorgen 2010-09-04 19:34:36 (91 views)
        • Thanks for the thought, though :^) (nt) - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 22:30:56 (60 views)
  • What does Zionsville say about what appears to be a - sealbeach740 2010-09-04 12:35:50 (105 views)
    • Re: What does Zionsville say about what appears to be a - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 12:41:32 (96 views)
      • To me, threads are threads. The cap should screw down - sealbeach740 2010-09-04 12:46:45 (100 views)
        • Re: To me, threads are threads. The cap should screw down - kosmokratur 2010-09-04 13:09:35 (102 views)