[Nando_e90]

Hello folks!

Back in November, my 330i's upper radiator hose left me stranded and I had to call a tow truck - the coolant was leaking from the coupling. I've since replaced it, but I got to wondering: what emergency options are out there to buy some extra time on the road?

I asked Claude and it recommended self-fusing silicone tape (like Rescue Tape), but I'd like to hear what you guys actually carry or have used in the field. Since I ended up waiting nearly an hour for the tow that day, I'd like to be better prepared next time.

This is the hose that failed:

[mainbearing]

Preventatively replace that hose was what I did. I used Gates with lifetime warranty.

These plastic cooling system connectors are problematic and unreliable.

Besides carrying an extra hose and a jug of coolant, other members found aluminum connectors such as:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2227295

[Nando_e90]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Preventatively replace that hose was what I did. I used Gates with lifetime warranty.

These plastic cooling system connectors are problematic and unreliable.

Besides carrying an extra hose and a jug of coolant, other members found aluminum connectors such as:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2227295

This is gold!
I'm about to replace all coolant hoses following Efthreon DIY + water pump and thermostat, all preventively, but didn't know about those aluminium connectors. Seems the way to go. Thank you!

[jsunma]

It's hard to speak to the specifics of roadside assistance in El Salvador, but in general I would say that if you have some sort of roadside assistance and they come within an hour, then that's a win. I'm not sure why you're looking for some better situation. Here in Massachusetts, USA, AAA generally takes a couple of hours to show up (despite their idiotic app showing you info that portends to indicate that something will show up sooner, but it doesn't...thereby proving that apps are for suckers.

If you want to avoid calling someone to assist with a burst hose, then replace that thing more often.

I have/carry self-fusing silicon tape and it's pretty much worthless except on very very small hoses (e.g., the coolant tank return hose that runs across the upper radiator support) and it only works about half the time then. Claude is an idiot. As it only tells you what other failed Internet users have tried and posted (this is how AI works). Most of that shit never works except via random chance...which I suppose is just fine for Claude.

[mainbearing]

You are welcome!

I will be doing a cooling system refresh as well. My Pierburg water pump is no spinning above 90% when commanded in INPA to 95%. But it still runs ok, so not in a particular rush before the heat of summer anyway.

Originally Posted by Nando_e90

This is gold!
I'm about to replace all coolant hoses following Efthreon DIY + water pump and thermostat, all preventively, but didn't know about those aluminium connectors. Seems the way to go. Thank you!

[lowrydr310]

Those aluminum connectors are a great idea, but the original plastic connectors are virtually never the cause of cooling system leaks, except for the Micky Mouse flange. I did have the nipple snap off of a relatively new upper radiator hose recently, so maybe that's worth swapping.

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Those aluminum connectors are a great idea, but the original plastic connectors are virtually never the cause of cooling system leaks, except for the Micky Mouse flange. I did have the nipple snap off of a relatively new upper radiator hose recently, so maybe that's worth swapping.

Agreed... I've posted before that I feel the same way about the mickey mouse flange too. It would be one thing if they wore out after a couple years but just put some new genuine hoses and you won't have to worry about it for 100k miles or more.


As far as the OP's question...I did used to carry silicone tape in my E46, but like others have said it only works in certain situations and for the most part those don't apply on the E90. It might save you if the upper vent hose breaks, but mine is already new and that's about the only place I can see it helping. The E90 usually leaks from the radiator or the connectors, so there's not much that will work for that.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by kkasson

Agreed... I've posted before that I feel the same way about the mickey mouse flange too. It would be one thing if they wore out after a couple years but just put some new genuine hoses and you won't have to worry about it for 100k miles or more.

I'm pushing 6 years and 30K miles on my plastic MM flange, Genuine BMW part.

[krhodes1]

What do I carry? A AAA card.

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Preventatively replace that hose was what I did. I used Gates with lifetime warranty.

These plastic cooling system connectors are problematic and unreliable.

Besides carrying an extra hose and a jug of coolant, other members found aluminum connectors such as:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2227295

if e90s had all-aluminum radiators like e60s, these would be a good idea. if these aluminum fittings get "welded" to the radiator, I wonder what breaks first - radiator or this connector. plastic connectors can be at least easily cut and split with a rotary tool.

[ryan stewart]

Im on the preventatively replace them camp. Doing that I havent had a catastrophic failure outside of the seal on the overflow bottle going for decades.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Nando_e90

Hello folks!

Back in November, my 330i's upper radiator hose left me stranded and I had to call a tow truck - the coolant was leaking from the coupling. I've since replaced it, but I got to wondering: what emergency options are out there to buy some extra time on the road?

I asked Claude and it recommended self-fusing silicone tape (like Rescue Tape), but I'd like to hear what you guys actually carry or have used in the field. Since I ended up waiting nearly an hour for the tow that day, I'd like to be better prepared next time.

This is the hose that failed:

I'm assuming the o-ring in the connector failed? Not much you can do about that in the field.

As already mentioned, the best thing you can do is replace known weak points, such as the plastic vent return line above the radiator fan.

Do coolant hoses even fail anymore since manufacturers started using EPDM?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

if e90s had all-aluminum radiators like e60s, these would be a good idea. if these aluminum fittings get "welded" to the radiator, I wonder what breaks first - radiator or this connector. plastic connectors can be at least easily cut and split with a rotary tool.

I had no idea the E60 radiator was all aluminum. I'm jealous!

And speaking from experience, the radiator outlet will still break with the factory plastic connector

[jaffles]

Had a battery fail the other day. 4hr for road side assist, and as previously mentioned by others the app indicated only 30 min away.

In the past some manufacturers included a hip flack as the repair kit. The wife and I went for dinner and enjoyed the free time from the kids. These days most stare at a screen without concern. I'd save the money on preventing anything and let it happen, then repair.

[Nando_e90]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I'm assuming the o-ring in the connector failed? Not much you can do about that in the field.

As already mentioned, the best thing you can do is replace known weak points, such as the plastic vent return line above the radiator fan.

Do coolant hoses even fail anymore since manufacturers started using EPDM?

The coupling (circled in red) is the part that failed, the photo was taken the day I replaced it. I thought there might be something available that could have bought me a little extra time. Distances are short in my country, and I only needed about 20 minutes to get home, which is why I asked.

I understand that in large cities it’s different and waiting an hour or more for a tow truck is normal.