2001 BMW 525iA Sport Touring (E39)

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

If your hedgehog has gone, I'd avoid a chinese no name replacement but go OEM. I had a 530d se touring (did over 130,000 miles in it) and speak from bitter experience.

I also had a 2004 x3 with the 2.5 that you've got and I wince at the trials and tribulations you're going through - I did all the jobs you've done, made alot of the same mistakes/came across identical issues and some more too (to do with the 4x4 drivetrain that isn't pertinent to your e39). I didn't take photos though - too angry to take to take photos at the time......that car fought me every step of the way; I got my own back though - I scrapped it rather than inflict it on anyone else!

[tobinen]

I have ordered a Meyle hedgehog. At £35 it's not too dear. I think I will remove the airbox on my 530i and see where the harness goes on that

After trawling forums and YouTube it seems that the facelift E39s do not use a separate aux fan relay, so it can't be for that.

I also need to check fuses 75 and 76 which are tucked up in the glovebox somewhere.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

I have ordered a Meyle hedgehog. At £35 it's not too dear. I think I will remove the airbox on my 530i and see where the harness goes on that

After trawling forums and YouTube it seems that the facelift E39s do not use a separate aux fan relay, so it can't be for that.

I also need to check fuses 75 and 76 which are tucked up in the glovebox somewhere.

Meyle or OEM are the ones to go for

Re the plug; are you sure you don't have the connection on the side of the fan cowling?

[tobinen]

I can't see or feel anything Dan but I think I may have no option but to remove the cowl and re-check. Fortunately I haven't pushed in the expanding rivets yet as I was waiting until I was happy (long way off at this rate!).

Unfortunately the old rad and cowl went in the bin ages ago. I remember swapping the radiator rubber mounts but nothing from the cowl.

[tobinen]

Another frustrating few hours this afternoon. I have found the hedgehog but I can't shift it. It hard to see if it's screwed in as the new one has two holes. Faffed about for an hour and lost interest.

Back to the cooling fun - I pulled up the cowl halfway and checked along the left side of the radiator. I cannot see anything for that harness in which to plug so I think it's a wild goose chase and wasted time. I put that back and tried to re-thread the fan but I just could not make it take. Another hour gone. Gave up.

I put the fan into the cowl out of the way of the belt and ran it up to temperature. The good news is the aux fan is working and it happily sat there with the gauge not shifting from halfway. In other good news the coolant level has not budged from maximum.

I will have another go tomorrow but otherwise I'll have to pay the garage. At least I know it can drive to the garage without the main fan attached.

Time for a cuppa and watch the Saints.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

Another frustrating few hours this afternoon. I have found the hedgehog but I can't shift it. It hard to see if it's screwed in as the new one has two holes. Faffed about for an hour and lost interest.

Back to the cooling fun - I pulled up the cowl halfway and checked along the left side of the radiator. I cannot see anything for that harness in which to plug so I think it's a wild goose chase and wasted time. I put that back and tried to re-thread the fan but I just could not make it take. Another hour gone. Gave up.

I put the fan into the cowl out of the way of the belt and ran it up to temperature. The good news is the aux fan is working and it happily sat there with the gauge not shifting from halfway. In other good news the coolant level has not budged from maximum.

I will have another go tomorrow but otherwise I'll have to pay the garage. At least I know it can drive to the garage without the main fan attached.

Time for a cuppa and watch the Saints.

The FSU is not usually screwed in, but it does sort of 'click' into place; I found a hard pull with pliers removed it for me; you can grab it by one of the edges or use needle nose pliers and grab it by the wiring plug etc

[tobinen]

It went in to the Romanians and it never came out. In a way. Whilst idly chatting I mentioned it was for sale. The owner asked how much and I said £1,000 with a new MoT booked tomorrow. He asked how much as is. I mentioned the hedgehog and he said that's fine, he'll do it.

Given I would not have to faff around any longer, I said £800. Deal. He paid £100 there and then and transferred the rest. All done in an hour. I went in to the office in a car sales warehouse behind and he showed he his E39 M5, E46 M3 coupé and W201 Cosworth. It just goes to show you can't tell a book by its cover.

Farewell Oxford green 2. It's been pleasure and pain but no longer my concern. I am calling it a right result especially as I would have taken £500. So I am £300 up by my man maths.

[Northbrook]

Well, that ended up being painless.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

It went in to the Romanians and it never came out. In a way. Whilst idly chatting I mentioned it was for sale. The owner asked how much and I said £1,000 with a new MoT booked tomorrow. He asked how much as is. I mentioned the hedgehog and he said that's fine, he'll do it.

Given I would not have to faff around any longer, I said £800. Deal. He paid £100 there and then and transferred the rest. All done in an hour. I went in to the office in a car sales warehouse behind and he showed he his E39 M5, E46 M3 coupé and W201 Cosworth. It just goes to show you can't tell a book by its cover.

Farewell Oxford green 2. It's been pleasure and pain but no longer my concern. I am calling it a right result especially as I would have taken £500. So I am £300 up by my man maths.

Pain free transaction; always a huge plus