Am I Being Paranoid?

[andrew320i]

Hi all I bought a BMW X5 4.4 V8 a few weeks ago and have noticed that the radiator hoses seem to be quite firm when at running temp. The top pipe is hot & bottom one is cooler. My initial thoughts were headgasket but there is no cream on the dip stick, or in the oil filler cap or in the coolant. The coolant does not smell of smoke and tastes of anti-freeze(finger dip taste test lol). There is also no smoke from the exhaust. Also the car does not over heat and temp guage stays at half way (normal running temp). Am I just being paranoid, are the rad pipes normal quite firm at running temp? Hope you can help!

[maxfield]

Rad pipes are under pressure so they should be pretty hard.

[Jim320i]

Have you googled searched it mate? If there is no running issues or over heating issues, I might say you are being slightly paranoid, but its always good to get some expert advise.

Not sure how the engines work in them so wouldnt be able to advise you without it possibly being wrong.

[andrew320i]

Rad pipes are under pressure so they should be pretty hard.

When the car is stopped and the engine starts to cool, the pipes then soften aswell. Its just they do seem quite firm when at running temp, maybe its a V8 thing then?!

[andrew320i]

If there is no running issues or over heating issues, I might say you are being slightly paranoid

Hope so!

[harry_p]

the cap is designed to hold pressure to keep the whole system under pressure and raise the boiling point of the coolant. i wouldnt worry unless it starts losing coolant. the bigger the diameter and the longer the run of pipe the bigger the difference you're likely to feel between cold and pressurised.

[andrew320i]

Ok thanks, feel a bit more reasured now!

[asmith88]

sounds fairly normal, the pipes at running pressure should be fairly firm, and the radiator is designed the cool the coolant, so the bottom hose should also be cooler than the top.

as above if its not overheating and driving fine, its just paranoia

[andrew320i]

Thanks im going to stop my worrying now then!

[J_A_C_K_Y_D]

I dont know anything about your problem, but 4.4 V8 X5.... NICE CAR!!

[andrew320i]

I dont know anything about your problem, but 4.4 V8 X5.... NICE CAR!!

Thanks, I love it!

[cecotto479]

"Am I being paranoid?"

I don't know. All I can say is that I was concerned that I might be paranoid. I went to the doctor and asked him. He told me that I am paranoid.

He didn't actually say that, but that's what the bastard was thinking.

[tomson]

When the car is stopped and the engine starts to cool, the pipes then soften aswell. Its just they do seem quite firm when at running temp, maybe its a V8 thing then?!

Thats perfectly normal IMO.

[andrew320i]

"Am I being paranoid?"

I don't know. All I can say is that I was concerned that I might be paranoid. I went to the doctor and asked him. He told me that I am paranoid.

He didn't actually say that, but that's what the bastard was thinking.

[andrew320i]

When the car is stopped and the engine starts to cool, the pipes then soften aswell. Its just they do seem quite firm when at running temp, maybe its a V8 thing then?!

Thats perfectly normal IMO.

Hope so, I felt the pipes on my E46 & on my E30 and there coolant pipes don't go hard. You think it's different with V8's?

[Cook318IS]

You do know that antifreeze is lethal? I wouldn't be tasting it to see if my headgasgket has gone!

[andrew320i]

You do know that antifreeze is lethal? I wouldn't be tasting it to see if my headgasgket has gone!

Only putting my finger in the coolant then touching it on my tongue! It leaves a sour taste if its got enough anti-freeze

[lamby]

i,ve got the same engine in my 7/8 series it,s normal for the pipes to be rock hard.your e46 ones should be aswell take it for a drive then feel again as they do take a while.if it was sinister it would blow the header tank as they are not that strong or a pipe at least , the one at back off the block .had mine for years doing the same and yes i thought they was f***ed when i first noticed

[andrew320i]

i,ve got the same engine in my 7/8 series it,s normal for the pipes to be rock hard.

Brilliant, that is reasuring thanks mate!

[StuBeeDoo]

You do know that antifreeze is lethal?

It is if you're a cat.

[Brianmoooore]

Coolant pipes in any BMW should be running at a pressure of 1.4 - 2.0 bar once the system is fully up to temp. If the pipes on a BMW aren't hard, then that's the one with the problem.
OP describes a perfectly normal (any) engine.

[Cook318IS]

You do know that antifreeze is lethal?

It is if you're a cat.

Yeah and its not exactly a good idea if you are human. Diluting it will water it down abit but i still wouldnt want to be tasting it.

Pretty awful stuff tbh...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... pital.html

[andrew320i]

Drinking it is one thing but dipping your finger in it when diluted & touching it on your tongue is another! Not exactly life threatening