323i radiator hoses

[BarnfindDan]

Hi - in the final stages of restoring my 1983 323i and have most of it sorted, happily using it as a daily driver.

I did some routine maintenance recently and noticed that the lower radiator hose was very poorly routed. First, it is crushed between the top of the alternator and bottom of the air box. It also is directly touching an exposed bolt on the chassis which leaves it prone to puncturing.

I checked the part number on RealOEM and it came up with 11,53-1278925 which matches the number on the hose installed. It just looks so wrong and awkward that there must be a different hose for the 323i.

Any early model experts out there?

[flybynite]

I don't have my 323i with me as it is in storage but I can check in a few weeks when I go back there but IIRC I never had a problem with the routing of the hoses,

If it is the correct hose and a everything else is as it should be, only thing I can think is it may have been put on backwards. Have you tried to see if it would be better if you swap ends?

[BarnfindDan]

Thats a good shout. I didn't install it myself. Ill check next weekend when i have some time.

I took some images too which give an idea of what I'm on about.

Routing of the hose over the alternator (MAF removed)

Damage caused by chassis nut

[flybynite]

Thats a good shout. I didn't install it myself. Ill check next weekend when i have some time.
I took some images too which give an idea of what I'm on about.

Yup, looks ass about face to me. Worth a try

[hennabm]

Hi
Looking at the number it looks like the correct one. It may have been possible to put on the wrong way round. It certainly should not follow the route it is doing. Here are a couple of pictures of my hose.