Campaign - Radiator Leak

GROUP 17
Coolant System

Bulletin Number
17 01 96

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
February 1996
Product Engineering

PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS

SUBJECT:
Radiator Leak

MODELS:
E36 with M42 Engine

Situation:
Coolant leaks may occur where the horizontal core tubes meet the tank plates on either side of the radiator.

Vehicles Affected:
This Service Action involves E36 vehicles with M42 engines which were produced from 2/94-6/94.

In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Service Action, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.

The Chassis Number Ranges listed below are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.

Model Chassis Number Ranges

318iC EC82012 - EC83301
318iCA ED15014 - ED16248
318i FG10254 - FG11743
JA08790 - JA10311
318iA FK64130 - FK67368
JC14396 - JC16545

Correction:
The radiator should be checked and repaired or replaced on all affected vehicles as outlined below.

Only radiators produced by Behr are affected by this Service Action.





Inspect the right side radiator tank for the vendor name and/or code as shown in the illustration.

If the radiator was not produced by Behr, no further checks or repairs are necessary.

If the radiator was produced by Behr, as shown in the above illustration, continue with the following procedure.

PROCEDURE:

^ Remove the upper and lower radiator covers





^ Measure the distance between the two radiator tank plates, on the top and bottom of the coolant fan side of the radiator. See distance A in the illustration.

Note:
The coolant temperature should not be above 104° (40° C) while the measurement is being performed.





Install a pair of tensioning straps (1) on the top side of the radiator, hooking the outer ends under the crimped edges of the left and right tank plates.





Bend the tabs of the bottom tensioning strap up and over the top strap using a pair of flat nose pliers. This will assure sufficient tension on the strap.





Install the other pair of tensioning straps (2) on the bottom side of the radiator.

Note:
Due to the plastic tabs on the radiator tanks, the bottom straps must be held flat (horizontal) on the fan side of the radiator, sliding them forward into position during installation.





Bend the tabs of the bottom tensioning strap up and over the top strap using a pair of flat nose pliers. This will assure sufficient tension on the strap.

Reinstall the lower and upper radiator covers.

Parts Information:

Part Number QTY Description

17 11 9 068 012 1 Tensioning Strap Kit
(includes 4 symmetrical tensioning strap
pieces needed for one radiator repair.)
17 11 1 469 176 1 Radiator

Service Action Label Instructions:
This Service Action has been assigned code number 154. After the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92-055) and:

a) emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);

b) punch out code number 154 printed on the label and,





c) affix the label to the B pillar as shown:

If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.

Warranty Information:
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty. Reimbursement for this Service Action will be provided through Campaign Entry.

Special Defect Code: 00 17 01 14 00

Work Package # 1 - Inspection only; no repair required

Labor Operation: 00 56 603
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU

Work Package # 2 - Inspect, measure and replace radiator. (Includes
draining coolant in a clean drain pan to be reused
after the repair.

Labor Operation: 00 51 036
Labor Allowance: E36 (with manual transmission) 10 FRU
E36 (with automatic transmission) 11 FRU

Parts Allowance: 17 111 469 176 Qty = 1 Radiator

Work Package # 3 - Inspect, measure, and install Tensioning Strap Kit.

Labor Operation: 00 51 037
Labor Allowance: 6 FRU

Parts Allowance: 17 11 9 068 012 Qty = 1 Tensioning Strap Kit