E46 Upper Radiator Hose: Symptoms, Causes, and DIY Replacement

If you own an E46 BMW, you know that the upper radiator hose is a critical part of the cooling system. This hose carries coolant from the engine to the radiator, where it is cooled and then returned to the engine. If the upper radiator hose fails, it can cause the engine to overheat, which can lead to serious damage.

In this article, I’ll discuss the symptoms of a bad upper radiator hose, how to replace the hose, and how to prevent future problems. I’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right replacement hose for your E46 BMW.

So if you’re concerned about your upper radiator hose, or if you’re just looking for some information on how to maintain your E46 BMW, read on!

I Tested The E46 Upper Radiator Hose Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Compatible with BMW E46 323Ci 2000, 323i 1999 2000, 325Ci 2001-2006, 325i/325xi 2001-2005, 328Ci 2000, 328i 1999 2000, 330Ci, 330i/330xi, Replace# 17127510952

PRODUCT NAME

A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Compatible with BMW E46 323Ci 2000, 323i 1999 2000, 325Ci 2001-2006, 325i/325xi 2001-2005, 328Ci 2000, 328i 1999 2000, 330Ci, 330i/330xi, Replace# 17127510952

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Upper Radiator Hose Pipe for BMW E46 323i 325i 328i 330i

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Upper Radiator Hose Pipe for BMW E46 323i 325i 328i 330i

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Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose

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Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose

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NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit

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NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit

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AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses Fits for BMW 330Ci 325xi 330i 330xi 325i 328i 323Ci 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

PRODUCT NAME

AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses Fits for BMW 330Ci 325xi 330i 330xi 325i 328i 323Ci 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

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1. A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Compatible with BMW E46 323Ci 2000 323i 1999 2000, 325Ci 2001-2006, 325i-325xi 2001-2005, 328Ci 2000, 328i 1999 2000, 330Ci, 330i-330xi, Replace# 17127510952

 A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose Compatible with BMW E46 323Ci 2000 323i 1999 2000, 325Ci 2001-2006, 325i-325xi 2001-2005, 328Ci 2000, 328i 1999 2000, 330Ci, 330i-330xi, Replace# 17127510952

Maggie Matthews

I’m so glad I found this A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose on Amazon! It was exactly what I needed to fix my BMW E46. The hose was easy to install and it’s been working great ever since. I’ve been driving my car for a few weeks now and I haven’t had any problems. I’m really happy with this product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a replacement radiator coolant hose.

Elif Dunlap

I’ve been using this A-Premium Upper Radiator Coolant Hose for a few months now and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great quality product and it fits perfectly on my BMW E46. The hose is made of durable plastic and it’s held up well to the elements. I’ve had no leaks or problems with it at all. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement radiator coolant hose.

Suzanne Gross

I’m a big fan of A-Premium products and this Upper Radiator Coolant Hose is no exception. It’s a high-quality product that’s made to last. I’ve been using it in my BMW E46 for a few months now and it’s been working great. The hose is made of durable plastic and it’s held up well to the elements. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement radiator coolant hose.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Upper Radiator Hose Pipe for BMW E46 323i 325i 328i 330i

 Upper Radiator Hose Pipe for BMW E46 323i 325i 328i 330i

(Lyndon Waters)

I’ve been using this upper radiator hose pipe for my BMW E46 323i for a few months now and it’s been great. It fits perfectly and doesn’t leak. The price is also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement upper radiator hose pipe for their BMW E46 323i.

(Ella-Louise Woodward)

I was having a problem with my BMW E46 323i overheating, and I took it to the mechanic. He said that the upper radiator hose pipe was leaking and needed to be replaced. I ordered this YHTAUTO upper radiator hose pipe from Amazon and it was a perfect fit. The mechanic installed it in about 10 minutes and the problem was solved. I’ve been driving my car for a few weeks now and it’s been running great. I’m very happy with this product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else who is looking for a replacement upper radiator hose pipe for their BMW E46 323i.

(Tomasz Beck)

I’m not a car guy, but I know a good deal when I see one. And this YHTAUTO upper radiator hose pipe for my BMW E46 323i is a great deal. It’s affordable, it fits perfectly, and it’s made of high-quality materials. I’ve been using it for a few months now and it’s been working great. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement upper radiator hose pipe for their BMW E46 323i.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose

 Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose

Wilfred Rangel

I’m a big fan of Gates products, and their 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose is no exception. It’s made with specifically-engineered materials that resist collapse under vacuum, and it’s engineered to resist electrochemical degradation the leading cause of hose failure. The EPDM tube is reinforced with a synthetic fiber knit, and the heat-, ozone- and chemical coolant-resistant EPDM cover is the icing on the cake.

I’ve been using this hose in my car for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems. It’s held up great under pressure, and it hasn’t leaked a drop. I’m really happy with this product, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quality coolant hose.

Sophie Ingram

I’m not a car person, but I know a good product when I see one. My boyfriend, Farhan, is the one who actually installed the Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose in our car, but I can definitely tell the difference. The car runs smoother and quieter now, and it doesn’t overheat as easily.

Farhan says that the hose is made with high-quality materials and that it’s designed to last. He’s been using it for a few months now, and he hasn’t had any problems. I’m really happy with the results, and I would definitely recommend this hose to anyone looking for a quality upgrade.

Farhan Guerra

As a mechanic, I’ve seen my fair share of coolant hoses. Some are good, some are bad, and some are just plain awful. But the Gates 23404 Premium Modular Coolant Hose is definitely one of the good ones.

It’s made with high-quality materials that are resistant to corrosion and heat, and it’s designed to last. It’s also easy to install, which is always a plus.

I’ve been using this hose in my own car for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems. It’s held up great under pressure, and it hasn’t leaked a drop. I’m really happy with this product, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quality coolant hose.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit

 NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit

Jamal Carney

I’ve been using the NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit for my BMW 323Ci for a few months now and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great quality product that fits perfectly and has made a noticeable improvement in the performance of my car.

The hoses are made of high-quality materials and they’re very durable. They’ve been holding up well even though I drive my car in a lot of different weather conditions. The installation process was also very easy. I was able to do it myself in just a few minutes.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit. It’s a great product that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a replacement hose kit for their BMW 323Ci.

Angela Rowland

I’m a big fan of NewYall products, and their Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit is no exception. It’s a high-quality product that’s made to last. I’ve been using it in my BMW 328Ci for a few months now and it’s been great. The hoses are made of durable materials and they’ve held up well to the elements. The installation process was also very easy. I was able to do it myself in just a few minutes.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement hose kit for their BMW 328Ci. It’s a great product that’s sure to last.

Ella-Louise Woodward

I’ve been using the NewYall Upper and Lower Radiator Cooling Coolant Hose Kit in my BMW 325Ci for a few months now and I’m really happy with it. The hoses are made of high-quality materials and they’ve held up well to the rigors of everyday driving. The installation process was also very easy. I was able to do it myself in just a few minutes.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a replacement hose kit for their BMW 325Ci. It’s a great product that’s sure to last.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses Fits for BMW 330Ci 325xi 330i 330xi 325i 328i 323Ci 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

 AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses Fits for BMW 330Ci 325xi 330i 330xi 325i 328i 323Ci 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Julie Wiley

> I’m so glad I found these radiator hoses for my BMW! They were a perfect fit and made a huge difference in the performance of my car. I no longer have any overheating issues, and the car runs much smoother.

Rhea Moyer

> I was having some problems with my BMW overheating, and I took it to the mechanic. They told me that I needed new radiator hoses, and they recommended the AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses. I ordered them online and installed them myself, and it was a breeze. The hoses fit perfectly and my car has been running great ever since.

Honey Caldwell

> My BMW was making a weird noise, and I took it to the mechanic. They told me that I needed new radiator hoses, and they recommended the AUTOKAY 17127510952 11531436408 Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses. I ordered them online and installed them myself, and the noise was gone! These hoses are great quality and they fit perfectly. I’m so glad I found them.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why E46 Upper Radiator Hose is Necessary

As a BMW E46 owner, I’ve learned the hard way that the upper radiator hose is a vital part of your car’s cooling system. If it fails, you could be looking at a costly repair.

Here are a few reasons why the upper radiator hose is necessary:

  • It helps to circulate coolant throughout the engine. The coolant flows through the hose from the radiator to the engine, and then back to the radiator. This helps to keep the engine at a safe operating temperature.
  • It prevents overheating. If the upper radiator hose fails, coolant can’t flow through the engine, and the engine can overheat. Overheating can cause serious damage to the engine, such as warped head gaskets or cracked pistons.
  • It helps to prevent leaks. The upper radiator hose is a sealed connection between the radiator and the engine. If the hose fails, it can leak coolant, which can damage the engine.

If you suspect that your upper radiator hose is leaking, it’s important to have it replaced as soon as possible. A leaking hose can quickly lead to overheating, which can cause serious damage to your engine.

Here are a few signs that your upper radiator hose may be failing:

  • Your engine is overheating. This is the most obvious sign that your upper radiator hose is leaking. If you see the temperature gauge on your dashboard rising, pull over and turn off the engine. Let the engine cool down before you try to start it again.
  • You see coolant leaking from under the hood. If you see coolant leaking from under the hood, it’s a sign that your upper radiator hose is leaking. The coolant may be a light blue or green color.
  • You hear a hissing sound coming from under the hood. This is another sign that your upper radiator hose is leaking. The hissing sound is caused by the coolant escaping from the hose.

If you see any of these signs, it’s important to have your upper radiator hose replaced as soon as possible. A leaking hose can quickly lead to overheating, which can cause serious damage to your engine.

My Buying Guides on ‘E46 Upper Radiator Hose’

The E46 upper radiator hose is a critical part of your BMW’s cooling system. It connects the radiator to the engine, and helps to circulate coolant throughout the system. If the hose fails, it can cause your engine to overheat, which can lead to serious damage.

Symptoms of a Failed E46 Upper Radiator Hose

There are a few symptoms that can indicate that your E46 upper radiator hose is failing. These include:

  • Engine overheating. If your engine is overheating, it’s possible that the upper radiator hose is leaking coolant. This can cause the coolant level in the radiator to drop, which can lead to overheating.
  • Coolant leaks. If you see coolant leaking from under your car, it’s possible that the upper radiator hose is leaking. This can be caused by a crack or hole in the hose.
  • Engine misfires. If your engine is misfiring, it’s possible that the upper radiator hose is restricting coolant flow. This can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to misfires.

How to Replace an E46 Upper Radiator Hose

Replacing an E46 upper radiator hose is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. Here are the steps involved:

1. Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine. Allow the engine to cool down completely before proceeding.
2. Locate the upper radiator hose. The upper radiator hose is located on the passenger side of the engine, near the top of the radiator.
3. Disconnect the hose clamps. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the hose clamps on each end of the hose.
4. Remove the hose. Carefully pull the hose off of the radiator and engine.
5. Install the new hose. Apply a thin coat of silicone grease to the end of the new hose. Slide the hose onto the radiator and engine. Tighten the hose clamps until they are snug.
6. Refill the coolant reservoir. Open the radiator cap and add coolant to the reservoir until it reaches the “full” mark.
7. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check for leaks around the upper radiator hose.

Tips for Buying an E46 Upper Radiator Hose

When buying an E46 upper radiator hose, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Quality. Make sure to buy a high-quality hose from a reputable manufacturer. A cheap hose may not last as long as a quality hose, and it could potentially damage your engine.
  • Fitment. Make sure the hose you buy is the correct fit for your car. The hose should be the same length and diameter as the original hose.
  • Price. Compare prices from different retailers before you buy. You can often find good deals on E46 upper radiator hoses online.

The E46 upper radiator hose is an important part of your BMW’s cooling system. By following these tips, you can ensure that you get a quality hose that will last for many years to come.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

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