325 convertible overheating

[BeeMan]

Hi Guys

im hoping someone can help. I stay in the south of jhb

The other day i stopped to fill up my tank and did the usual check oil and water thing, the attendant topped up my water slightly.

When i got home i heard a strange sound coming from my engine, i found out it was the water bottle boiling.

I topped up the water and tried to drive and immediately seen the temp increase, when i stopped the car the temperature went back down.

i also noticed a bit of smoke coming out the exhaust.

can anyone tell me what the possible causes of the overheating can be??
also is there a reliable and reasonable mechanic on this forum, that i could take the car to???


http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/images/smilies/Top24/argh.gif

 

[328ii]

i had the same experience (with another car) when the attendant did not close the filler's lid properly
& that caused a loss of pressure in the coolant system. Motor seized then
You probably have blown head gasket (hope that is all). Have pressure test(S) done.

Also : There is a warning in the engine bay - not to open the cooling system when hot.

Tip : ALWAYS check what the attendant did or DIY..!

8?>

 

[moranor@axis]

the water should be checked before you start the car... no point in checking it when its hot...

 

[BMW M]

Opening the cooling system whilst hot probably caused a airlock...

Bleed the coolant system, if you're lucky, no damage... if not... at least head gasket replacement on the cards.

Good luck mate.

 

[WyKiD]

As best I know, these cooling systems cannot just be topped up. They need to be bled, that is let all of the air out the system when you have opened the cap on the resevoir bottle. There is a plastic screw on the resevoir bottle that needs to be opened to allow the air to escape. Hope no damage was done but suggest you google the procedure, its quite easy to do.

 

[fhm1]

Hi Guys

im hoping someone can help. I stay in the south of jhb

The other day i stopped to fill up my tank and did the usual check oil and water thing, the attendant topped up my water slightly.

When i got home i heard a strange sound coming from my engine, i found out it was the water bottle boiling.

I topped up the water and tried to drive and immediately seen the temp increase, when i stopped the car the temperature went back down.

i also noticed a bit of smoke coming out the exhaust.

can anyone tell me what the possible causes of the overheating can be??
also is there a reliable and reasonable mechanic on this forum, that i could take the car to???


http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/images/smilies/Top24/argh.gif

Could also be a faulty thermostat, could of failed in a closed position, not allowing the water to run through. Seen this on my collegues 94 E36 325i.

 

[Sankekur]

I'll just add a couple of things:
-Never let the attendants at filling station check anything for you, check it yourself.
-Never open the expansion tank while the engine is hot, the car uses a pressurised cooling system.
-Never top up the coolant with just normal water, use a 50/50 mixture of BMW coolant (something like R50/l) and distilled water.

 

[sclass]

When was the last time you changed the components of your cooling system? It might be time...

 

[BeeMan]

Guys

Thanks for all the advice, I'll make some time the weekend to try all of the above and provide feedback.

---

When was the last time you changed the components of your cooling system? It might be time...

i've never ever changed it....im assuming you talking about the water pump and thermostat.

 

[sclass]

Guys

Thanks for all the advice, I'll make some time the weekend to try all of the above and provide feedback.

---

When was the last time you changed the components of your cooling system? It might be time...

i've never ever changed it....im assuming you talking about the water pump and thermostat.

---

Your list will include;

Water pump
Thermostat (+ thermostat housing + gasket)
Viscous fan
Expansion tank (+ radiator cap)
Water hoses

But first find out how much damage has been done then take it from there. :thumbs:

 

[Yuvan]

As best I know, these cooling systems cannot just be topped up. They need to be bled, that is let all of the air out the system when you have opened the cap on the resevoir bottle. There is a plastic screw on the resevoir bottle that needs to be opened to allow the air to escape. Hope no damage was done but suggest you google the procedure, its quite easy to do.

U hit the nail on the head!!! :thumbs:

To the thread owner : U may have messed up your motor dude, check that your oil and water is not mixing.

 

[BeeMan]

Gents

thanks for all the advice.

I ended up buying a new water pump & thermostat (all precautionary)
i bled the cooling system and all seems fine now....

except for a a loud viscous sound....plus i noticed that my AUX fan aint moving

 

[freerider]

Could also be a faulty thermostat, could of failed in a closed position, not allowing the water to run through. Seen this on my collegues 94 E36 325i.

That is very interesting, the bmw thermostats are designed to fail in the open position.

Gents

thanks for all the advice.

I ended up buying a new water pump & thermostat (all precautionary)
i bled the cooling system and all seems fine now....

except for a a loud viscous sound....plus i noticed that my AUX fan aint moving

This may help you http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=20649

 

[Herman11]

Apology for jumping on your thread by I have no idea how to do a new posting! :-(


I have a 2006 323i with 120k km on the clock.

The car started overheating recently. So far we have replaced the thermostat, water pump and rad hose as it had a leak. We also did a pressure test and everything checks out fine thus no head gasket issues.

What happens is that after 5km or so the orange warning comes on which changes to red in seconds. I emmediately stop the car wait for it to cool down and drive further, without the warning light comming on.

I took the car back to my mechanic today and the diagnostic tool showed electric water pump, which is strange because we replaced the pump last week.

The car also seem to use a litle bit of water (1 litre water for every 5000 km travelled) but I suspect this is normal.

Any ideas what this could be?

I am extremely frustrated as the repair bill to date is not cheap.

 

[sclass]

I there any 'mayonaisse' in your oil cap? That might indicate if water and oil is mixing....

 

[Herman11]

I there any 'mayonaisse' in your oil cap? That might indicate if water and oil is mixing....

---

Hi.

Turned out that the new waterpump was also faulty.
Apparently these things have their own "PC" boards which tends are very sensitive.

Anyway. We replaced along with a new hose and all is sorted!

Did a problem free trip down to DBN and all is well :bravo: