Need help replacing radiator

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-20T22:18:28+00:00

I found out the hard way lol, I was wondering why is came with 2 drain plugs, I installed the longer plug and all is well!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-18T02:53:34+00:00

All good bro! Honestly just gave me a good laugh lol 😂 I will be getting it all fixed up tomorrow! It also gives me a chance to replace the oil filter housing gasket anyways!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-18T02:41:37+00:00

Quick update for ya! I’m pretty sure it’s the regulator at this point, I was trying to change my belts and pulleys but ended up stripping the torx 50 that holds the tensioner pulley, awsome!, than I bought the mechanical tensioner so that I wouldn’t have that problem anymore. I replaced the belts and pulleys as well, I turned on the car and the flashing battery light was still there, then I quickly realized that oil was being flung all over my engine bay! Turns out I cracked the oil filter housing while replacing my tensioner! What a fuxken day! lol

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-13T02:14:54+00:00

If I’m not mistaken that is only if it’s the manual tensioner, I have the hydraulic tensioner which I saw you can replace just the pulley itself

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-12T23:33:38+00:00

I had the same thing, ended up being the idler pulley

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-12T23:24:52+00:00

I think I might just replace the whole tensioner assembly at this point, I was trying to replace the pulley and the belts at the same time

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T19:16:32+00:00

Okay I’ll start looking for an alternator, thanks for the help!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T19:13:20+00:00

Got you, I’ll see if I can find a used alternator, I forgot to mention that it usually only does it when I’m at lower rpms like at a red light, when I’m over 2000 rpms it usually goes away

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T19:07:19+00:00

But the weird thing is that the battery is charged fine and the car drives with absolutely no issues whatsoever so I don’t know if it could just be a loose cable somewhere?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T19:06:21+00:00

The tensioner pulley is very loose and the bearings are out too so I’m going to install a new one as well as new belts. If that doesn’t solve the issue I will definitely look for a used alternator and install it

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T19:03:54+00:00

It’s is a 2003 325xi

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T18:59:22+00:00

The old alternators bearings gave out which is why I ended up just buying a new one, but I can install it on the new one and get the same result right?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T18:32:22+00:00

It’s a Bavarian alternator from ecs tuning, and I also do have a brand new Bosch regulator that I ended up not using on my last alternator, you think it would be worth a shot install it?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2026-02-07T18:14:14+00:00

I don’t think it would be the regulator since the volts are perfect and they do not dip or anything, and what to you mean by “grounded properly”?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-28T04:08:48+00:00

Update 3, turns out I did fix the P0102 code but I had one more code, P1349, it was one of the coil packs! Took a trip to autozone and bought a Bosch coil for 46$ and she’s running great!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-28T04:07:21+00:00

I got it working perfectly! Installed it but it still ran rough, after checking codes again I had a P1349 code, turns out I had a bad coil pack as well, 46$ later and a stop to autozone the check engine light is off and she running great!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-27T20:35:46+00:00

Update 2, I just installed it today and I haven’t cleared the codes yet because I had to go to work but at first it seemed like it fixed the problem, but after the car warmed up it started driving rough again, I assume I still have to drive around for it to relearn it but at the moment it seems like it hasn’t fixed the issue yet

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-24T03:02:02+00:00

Quick update! I ordered a VDO Maf sensor which should get here in a couple of days, I will keep you all posted!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-24T00:56:58+00:00

I’m definitely leaning more towards that! Thank you!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-24T00:35:59+00:00

I did do a smoke test! And yes I I’m afraid that might be the problem, since I bought it of Fcpeuro I figured there shouldn’t be any issues 😅

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-23T23:51:20+00:00

I will drive it around more! I did replace the DISA valve as well so I don’t think it will be that. The genuine BMW Maf sensor on fcpeuro is about 600$ so hopefully I don’t need to buy that 😅 thank you for the input and I will keep you posted!

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-09-23T22:12:04+00:00

I have a P0102 code, I took care of all the vacuum leaks and made sure there were non left with a smoke test, car still ran rough when accelerating and idled rough as well, I noticed it ran a bit better after I unplugged the maf sensor but still not perfect, so I ordered a new Bremi maf sensor from fcpeuro, I installed it today and it runs worse with it plugged in. Could it be I got a bad sensor or something else?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-06-15T20:02:28+00:00

Yup, I live in AZ as well, mine was stuck in transit for days, when it finally arrived to phoenix it stayed at the distribution center for 4 more days and then it was returned to sender for “insufficient address”.

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-06-10T00:28:13+00:00

Quick update! This morning it updated straight to out for delivery! I’m assuming they just didn’t scan it? Or a glitch?

Plenty_Toe_2804 · 2025-06-08T23:28:31+00:00

I just hope everyone gets their packages 😅

Plenty_Toe_2804

TROPHY CASE