Expert: Don Berlan - 9/3/2006

Question
1998 bmw 328i  - WBACD4325WAV63342.

Today, the first day after we bought a brand new house the connection from my radiator to the hose broke.  My husband was able to find a place that luckily had a radiator in stock and since he's mechanically inclined (experience is with older muscle cars though) he installed it.  He's wondering if there is any way of knowing if it was done correctly?  Any tests we can do or signs we missed anything?  He mentioned a temp setting? We couldn't find any install instructions online.  The temp gauge is now reading exactly half way between hot & cold so that would lead me to believe it's ok.   But then again I don't believe it went to hot or any warnings came on when it busted (fluid and smoke everywhere) so I wonder if some sensor was/is not working?  Any help/reassurance you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated as I desperately need my vehicle back asap. thank you!!!

Answer
If the air was fully bled out of the cooling system(which it sounds it has been)the temp setting should be on high to allow the coolant to pass throughout the cooling system.If it is correct,the gauge should read as normal.And you need to trust the lights as the quality is much better than before.