M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: jolle21 on August 16, 2013, 03:04:21 AM

Title: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: jolle21 on August 16, 2013, 03:04:21 AM

Any suggestions for this?

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o694/project_Herzogin/DSC_0191_zps75770633.jpg)

Title: Re: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: e3091318is on August 16, 2013, 03:23:12 AM

I actually had the same issue.  Mine has a much smaller hole that I put some JB weld on.  Make sure its for automotive and can handle 250F+.  Haven't had any issues in over 500 miles.

Title: Re: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: Slowered318 on August 16, 2013, 10:19:49 AM

It's a little more risky but maybe tap the head and use a 3/4" barbed fitting.

Title: Re: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: MLM on August 16, 2013, 10:00:24 PM

Id go the tap and barb route. Either brass or stainless should be safe to use in Aluminium, check their compatability to ensure galvanic corrosion does not occur. Definatly strongest repair solution.

Title: Re: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: jolle21 on August 17, 2013, 05:42:35 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

JB Weld is really for temporary fixes don't you think? I'm sure if it was tiny little whole, i'd be fine, but the corrosion was all the way at the base of the cylinder head. Plus i risk it melting if it goes beyond the temperature threshold, possibly leading to a cracked head. I'm sure it would work if i had a smaller hole.

Permanent solution is the right way for my case. Since the head is out now, i might as well take that route right? I couldn't find a part number on realoem. The piping seems to be an iron pipe pressed in. So I took a different route and found a 1/2" X 2 1/2" non galvanized, threaded steel pipe.

I took it to a different machine shop. They cut off the old piping and tapped in the new pipe. They then cut the piping to roughly the size of the stock piping.

and below are the results...

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o694/project_Herzogin/DSC_0196_zpsea3e4830.jpg)

Title: Re: Corroded Intel Coolant Pipe
Post by: e3091318is on August 23, 2013, 10:01:48 PM

Very nice man.  Looks great and won't corrode again!  I might have to eventually do that to mine.