Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

Radiator Removal and Cooling System Modification

Model: BMW Serie 3 E36 - Years 1990-2001
Part: Radiator

Lift the vehicle on appropriate jack stands, place a drain pan under the radiator drain plug, and drain the coolant. To remove the radiator, first detach the electric fan, which requires a specific tool that is easily obtainable. Next, remove the plastic covers, pull out the fan, and then the radiator by disconnecting the hoses attached to it. After that, release the auxiliary belt by loosening the tensioner to remove the water pump (it is suggested to draw the belt path on the various pulleys before removing it).
Disconnect the hoses connected to the thermostat, remove the corresponding retaining pins, and extract the thermostat itself. At this point, remove the water pump drive pulley, the mounting bolts of the pump, and take it out. Then, install the new pump with the modified impeller, secure the pulley to the flange, and replace the thermostat as well. Finally, reassemble everything that was previously removed and fill the cooling system with the appropriate coolant.

Updated on 4 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

How to Remove the Cooling Radiator on BMW 3 Series
How to Remove the Cooling Radiator on BMW 3 Series
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Let's see how to remove the cooling radiator on BMW 3 Series. Open the hood (remove the air intake kit if necessary), disconnect the engine soundproo…
Replacing a radiator for a BMW 3 Series
Replacing a radiator for a BMW 3 Series
BMW Serie 3 (2005-2013 / E91, E90, E92) How to remove the radiator of the BMW 3? We lift the bonnet and identify all the pieces to be disassembled to get to the cooling radiator. We disasse…
Replacing the Radiator Fan
Replacing the Radiator Fan
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) The cooling fan of the engine's cooling system is mounted at the front of the radiator on a plastic support frame that also houses the control module…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Replace the Lift Supports on a Porsche 911

How to remove and replace the lift supports for the hood on a Porsche 911? Let's see how to replace them in this video: Lift the hood and secure it. Use a screwdriver or metal lever to detach the clips that hold the lift support at both ends (or unscrew the mounting pins). Install the new part onto the sheet metal of the front trunk, securing the lift support with the clips/pins. Proceed in the same manner for the removal/installation of the opposite lift support. Finally, test the gas springs installed earlier.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos