BMW E90 Radiator Replacement – 2007-2013 3 Series

1. You will need to jack and support your vehicle since you will need to get under the front of the vehicle to drain the radiator. Please click here to learn how to properly jack and support your vehicle for this repair.
2. Remove the electric engine cooling fan. For instructions on how to do this, please read our article BMW E90 Cooling Fan Replacement – 2007-2013 3 Series.
3. Remove the coolant reservoir cap. The cap must be removed for the BMW E90 radiator to drain properly.
4. Remove protective plastic belly pan (skid plate) from the underside of your vehicle. It is held in place with 8mm screws.
5. BMW 335i (turbo-charged) models (all other models proceed to step 8) - Unfasten the two clips holding the plastic protective shield to the bottom of the intercooler. They simply lift up and turn to release.
6. BMW 335i (turbo charged) models continued - Using a flat blade screwdriver, release the retaining clips on the two intercooler hoses.
7. BMW 335i (turbo charged) models continued - Remove the two T25 torx screws anchoring the intercooler to the vehicle. Grasp the intercooler and carefully remove from vehicle.
8. Using a large flat blade screwdriver, unscrew and remove the radiator drain plug. Have a 5 gallon drain pan ready to catch the fluid. Let the radiator completely drain.
9. After the BMW E90 radiator has drained, move back to engine compartment and remove the upper radiator hose by releasing its retaining clips and pulling loose from the oil filter housing and the upper radiator. Be VERY CAREFUL not to break the plastic fitting that connects the fluid reservoir overflow tube to the upper radiator hose. Gently push the hose back towards the firewall so is out of the way of the radiator (we tucked ours behind the oil filter housing with a towel - see image below).
10. Working on the right side of the radiator, release the retaining clips on the two lower radiator hoses and gently pry off of radiator. You may have to get back under car to reach one of the clips.
11. Working on the left side of the radiator, remove the oil cooler hose that is attached to the bottom of the radiator. The oil cooler hose is anchored to the radiator with a plastic mount that is secured with a T25 torx screw.
12. Remove the two T25 torx screws anchoring the top of the radiator to the frame of the vehicle.
13. Grasp top of radiator with two hands and remove from vehicle. Work slowly so you don't snag any pipes or electrical connections. It usually helps to slightly tilt radiator towards rear of car when removing.

The new BMW E90 radiator will need to be prepped prior to installation, since they are usually shipped without the drain plug assembly or the two plastic hose mounts installed.

1. Unpack the new drain plug assembly that is included with your radiator. If you did not get a new drain plug assembly then you will need to purchase one before proceeding (see our parts section above). Never reuse your old drain plug...they can fail causing your engine to overheat.
2. Install the drain plug sleeve into the new radiator. Push firmly to make sure all of the o-rings are seated properly, then turn it to lock it into position. ***It is very important that you pull on the sleeve to verify it has locked into the radiator. Only proceed to the next step once you are sure the sleeve has been installed correctly and wont slip out.
3. Install drain plug and tighten (do not over-tighten).
4. Remove the right side plastic hose mount (connector) from the old radiator by removing the T25 torx screw and GENTLY prying it out with a flat blade screwdriver. Reinstall in new radiator.

Installing the new radiator is very straightforward...just follow the steps in Section 1 in reverse. Remember that when reinstalling the coolant hoses you want to close the release clip before sliding them onto the connection. Make sure to hear them "snap" into place. [content_block slug=content-block-article-block-4] Only refill your BMW E90 radiator with Genuine BMW Antifreeze/Coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water. We do not recommend using any other brand.

1. The BMW E90 3 series uses an electric water pump which requires a special procedure for bleeding. You will need to hook up a battery charger to the vehicle during the bleeding process to avoid draining the battery. Always connect the battery charger to the positive terminal and ground in the engine compartment...never connect it directly to the battery. Connecting a battery charger directly to the battery may cause damage to sensitive control modules.
2. Slowly fill the expansion tank with coolant until it reaches its maximum level.
3. If your car has a bleed screw on the upper radiator hose, open it with a flat blade screwdriver (if not proceed to step 4). If coolant does not emerge from the bleed screw, continue to fill the expansion tank until it starts to trickle out. Tighten the bleed screw.
4. Next, loosen the bleed screw on the expansion tank. If coolant does not stream out, fill the expansion tank until it does. Tighten the bleed screw.
5. Put the cap back on the expansion tank.
6. Connect the battery charger to the positive terminal and ground bolt in the engine compartment and start charging the battery.
7. Switch on the ignition (do not start the vehicle).
8. Set the heater to its maximum temperature and set the fan speed to its lowest setting.
9. Press and hold the accelerator pedal to the floor for 10 seconds.
10. The coolant system bleeding procedure begins when the accelerator pedal is released and lasts for about 12 minutes. You will hear the electric coolant pump cycling on and off during this time.
11. When the bleeding procedure is finished, disconnect the battery charger and add coolant to the expansion tank if necessary.