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Why did my car explode?

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    Why did my car explode?

    q
    Last edited by SilentKIL; 12-22-2015, 08:36 PM.

    #2
    holly shit! Expansion tank cap is suppose to let the pressure out isn't it?
    sigpic
    Rescued 1986 325e Coupe
    1988 325ix Touring 5spd currently being rescued
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada :finger:

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      #3
      Is there a blockage in the radiator somewhere and the pressure caused it to burst? That is really weird. Never seen that before.

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        #4
        New radiator, hoses, everything. I would hope not. Although it did sit from January til now without being run...

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          #5
          Seeing the pictures, I still think it's a bad head gasket.
          Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

          Elva Courier build thread here!

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            #6
            Clearly the expansion tank cap failed to lift and the next weakest point in the system was the tank itself (surprisingly). But the pressure should never get high enough to lift the cap in the first place, unless something is wrong. Without more info though it's hard to know.

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              #7
              I'm not convinced this was just pressure alone. That tank also shows some signs of melting.

              Since just about everything else in the cooling system is rubber or metal (the radiator side tanks are made of a more durable plastic), the tank would the weakest point when it comes to dealing with high temperatures and pressures. And the bottom of the tank is ground zero since the coolant is contacting it there and the exhaust manifold is nearby.

              Could your IS engine have overheated due to a bad mechanical fan clutch and/or non-working electric fan ... causing both high pressure AND temperature of the coolant and combined with a bad pressure cap caused the catastrophic failure of the expansion tank?

              If so, you may have a head gasket job on your IS in your future. Check the compression and see if there is any mixing of oil and coolant in the engine. You may have gotten lucky.
              101

              The E30 collection:
              1987 325es M52 - Schwarz / Taurus Red Sport (son #2's)
              1987 325is - Delphin / Black Sport (son #3's)
              1987 325i Convertible - Triple Black
              1989 325iX Coupe - Diamondschwarz / Black Comfort
              1990 325iX Coupe - Sterling Silver / Grey Sport

              1981 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - Green / Tan
              1998 Volvo V70 GLT - White / Tan
              1998 Volvo S70 T5 manual - White / Taupe
              2001 Ford Windstar - Silver / Grey (parts hauler)
              2006 Lexus GX470 - White / Tan (tow rig)

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                #8
                Originally posted by 101 View Post
                I'm not convinced this was just pressure alone. That tank also shows some signs of melting.
                Yeah, I agree. Head gasket letting super heated gas into the coolant, heating the water causing a great deal of pressure and heat, eventually bursting and melting the plastic of the expansion tank.

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                  #9
                  Not to jack this thread but I've noticed my car when it's been driven and its hot. my hoses will expand and I've noticed that I have coolant seepage coming out of some hoses.i already tightened the clamps.

                  Any suggestions?

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by efficient View Post
                    Not to jack this thread but I've noticed my car when it's been driven and its hot. my hoses will expand and I've noticed that I have coolant seepage coming out of some hoses.i already tightened the clamps.

                    Any suggestions?
                    How old are the hoses? Probably time for replacements.

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by ST1G View Post
                      How old are the hoses? Probably time for replacements.
                      2 years now, non oem hoses.

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by efficient View Post
                        2 years now, non oem hoses.
                        Yeah, hoses should get firm, but normally you shouldn't see them "bulge" I would find some OEM quality hoses.

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                          #13
                          Looks like your expansion tank was misting coolant out and your ignition wires arced at it. I'm sure there was grease or some kind of chemical there also on the tank to cause that much of an explosion. Glad you didn't have a engine fire.
                          sigpic
                          323i MTEC1
                          Z3 coupe
                          E60 M5

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                            #14
                            Interesting theories in here. I think the plastic just looks stretched, not melted.
                            Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

                            Elva Courier build thread here!

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                              #15
                              Originally posted by ELVA164 View Post
                              Interesting theories in here. I think the plastic just looks stretched, not melted.
                              Total bummer, but an interesting event nonetheless. I have never seen this before. I like St1g's theory the best, as it explains the heat/pressure build up best, but I also agree that the expansion tank does not look melted, it looks stretched.


                              '87 325
                              '89 325is
                              '90 325i
                              '67 Buick Skylark --SOLD 5/2015--

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