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Thanks for the reply! not really anything to do with saving money as the first intention is to try understand better how it works (and why it is not working sometimes), being able to react on my own when there is something occuring and being able to repair.
All clamps/hoses were ordered directly from BMW online with the support of an exploded view of the cooling system (the website is very detailed and handy).
I believe there are only screw clamps so there should not be any crimping involved ; just for peace of mind and while I am at it I ordered also some of the small housings bolted to the block because I thought as I fresh up the system why not, will definitely be careful with the bolts during disassembly etc.
Made some research online before, have bought a RTA (french book for repairs, parts references etc.) and studied a bit but was pissed off when I got it back from the garage last time with same problem (coolant leak) than when I dropped it there (probably not their fault but still) and decided to take the leap and try to do it myself.
Will probably do it this week or next week
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paulbiche
Fixing your own cars is great, its satisfying and will save you a Ton of money. If you have ever had the experience of working in a garage (i have and it was a main dealer) you will soon realise you are paying £75 p/h for some real animals to work on your car.
In terms of your current job in hand it depends on what clamps you are using - if you are using Jubilee clips buy decent ones, the cheap ones are crap. If you are getting them from BMW they will probably be the correct size for the job. I don't know much about BMWs so not sure what type they use but you may need some sort of crimp tool.
You shouldn't find there to be a massive need to sand down any pipes, just a clean up should be sufficient. Don't over tighten any plastic housings, you should be able to find torque settings online. There is probably some sort of breather screw up near the heat exchanger to assist filling the cooling system fully.
Remember google/youtube is your friend, you will sometimes get mega pissed off with Rusty old bolts, you will cut and bang your hands regularly, you will be laying under a filthy old car trying to squeeze your hand into tiny gaps, you'll sometimes be at breaking point trying to reline up a steering control arm, you'll always need an additional part but the shops are all now closed, you will ache like shit the next day (maybe thats just me) but once its all over and you can stand back and think you have saved a few hundred quid its all worth it.
Its also worth getting yourself a Manufacturer specific Code reader, really handy bit of kit for around £30.