BMW oil radiator: What to do if it leaks? How much does it cost to replace it?
An old 3 Series owner said that he recently found that the oil radiator was leaking. The 4S shop offered to replace the assembly. The material + labor cost was nearly 3,000 yuan. It was such a small thing, and it felt too expensive. Do you have any good suggestions?
Generally, BMW cars that have been driven for more than 80,000 kilometers will have various gasket leakage problems. It is hard to say about the G series (it is said that it has been improved), but BMW owners of the E and F series should have experienced it. Among them, the oil radiator leakage is a typical one, so let's talk about this oil radiator in detail today.
Introduction to oil radiator:
In fact, the oil radiator not only has the function of cooling and heat dissipation. In the case of a cold engine, when it is just started, in order to raise the oil temperature to the normal operating temperature of the engine as soon as possible, the oil will quickly increase its own temperature through the higher temperature antifreeze flowing through the oil radiator. So, strictly speaking, the oil radiator should actually be called the oil/coolant heat exchanger.
Consequences of oil radiator leakage:
1. The oil radiator is covered with oil stains, which can easily damage the surrounding plastic/rubber parts for a long time. There is a super serious case on the Internet. The leaked oil dripped on the belt, causing the belt to slip and break. The belt debris finally entered the engine through the crankshaft, causing a major overhaul, which is a big disadvantage. Therefore, for old BMWs that have been used for a long time, it is necessary to pay more attention to the engine compartment.
2. Oil enters the cooling system: BMW's oil radiator is generally installed on the oil filter seat. The oil enters the oil filter after boosting, and then enters the oil radiator after passing through the oil filter. Therefore, the oil pressure here is relatively high, higher than the pressure of the antifreeze flowing through the radiator. If the radiator is damaged, the oil will be pressed into the antifreeze. Over time, the antifreeze will initially emulsify, and bubbles will be seen when the kettle is opened. This will definitely lead to a decrease in the cooling function of the antifreeze, and the engine will have a high temperature alarm.
What should I do if there is a leak?
Most of the leakage problems of BMW are actually caused by the aging and damage of its rubber sealant. The leakage of the oil radiator here is also generally a problem with the gasket. Just replace the gasket directly. The original one is only about 100 yuan.
How much does it cost to replace an oil radiator in BMW?
For some car owners, there may still be leakage after replacing the gasket. This may be due to slight deformation of the oil radiator itself, which leads to leakage. In this case, the oil radiator needs to be replaced. The price of this in 4S should be more than 1,000 to more than 2,000. If you want to buy brand parts at a lower price after the warranty is out, you can choose Bell, Nissens, and Yinlun, which can be bought for a few hundred yuan.