expansion tank replacement

[phill328i]

Can anyone provide some tips for replacing an expansion tank?

 

[phill328i]

O yea, its a 1996 328i

 

[Big Daddy]

Seems fairly straight forward. Are you talking about #15 in the photo below? Arizona AutoHaus has this part for about $67.00.

 

[phill328i]

Yep, the tank exploded after the radiator fan activation switch came out apparently. I'm pretty sure that's the sensor. I'll take a picture of it and post it. Basically what happened was i was sitting in traffic stop and go for about 45 mins, i noticed the temperature gauge going up. I pulled over and turned the car off when it got to the red. i waited a bit and wanted to get back on the road so i could get off at the next exit once the light went off. i got moving again and it ran for a little bit and then it shut off. i noticed after getting towed back to my place that the expansion tank basically exploded and all the coolant leaked out. i believe this was caused by the fan not working and there is a random sensor hanging down from beneath the car. let me know what you think. ill post a picture in a bit.

 

[phill328i]

here is the picture of whatever the sensor was. Is there any way to tell if my radiator fan is working?

 

[Big Daddy]

Could that be number #22, the coolant leveling switch? Here is a link to the photo posted and the descriptions.

 

[phill328i]

this was on the other side of the car. someone told me it may have something to do with the headlights?

 

[Big Daddy]

Not sure what it is than, but headlights, what would it have to do with them. Maybe the other Dan, he owns an E36 328 can tell us...Oh Dan where are you?

 

[Kirby]

Outside air temperature probe.

 

[frolf]

i am here, but kirby wins