BMW E46 M54 Random Temperature spiked then dropped back to normal

[evnmopwr]

Howsit

I experienced a random Strange issue this morning while in traffic with my touring. Never seen this before so looking for others that experienced this maybe??

330i M54 engine

While standing in traffic, like dead still for 15min, i glanced at my cluster and Saw the temp guage creeping up towards the line between the Middle and RED/DEATH zone.

There was no steam from the engine bay or anything and no indication that it was over heating.

yes. i panicked and do not think to turn on the heat at FULL BLAST but I quickly "taxi'ed", (Literally forced), my way to the leftlane/Shoulder to pull off but thanks to the real taxi's, their hemorrhoid's where Rupturing as i stood in the shoulder so i continued to drive.

it just about touched the Line in between halfway and Red then it started coming down again

Cruised and it was at half and it stayed there. Stopped at a few robots and it never went up again. Just stayed at halfway is it should

Entire coolant system already overhauled in the last year

BMW original Coolant tank
Mahle Metal impeller Water pump
Behr Thermostat
All coolant hoses brand new.

The Electric fan i installed in 2018. Was 1 i purchased at Goldwagen.
When i leave work today im going to pull the AC pressure switch plug to see if i can force the fan on full blast to confirm if its working or not.

Could Thermostat, at that time, be stuck? hence the issue?
Or maybe the fan ddnt activate? (Soft failing maybe?)
Or Maybe Temperature Switch Soft Failing?

Note that its never happened before and i been in traffice towards town few times in the last 2 months and everything was fine.

Would like to get feedback on who experianced this.

my hands are itching to go out and by New Pump, New Thermostat, Radiator, Fan. etc etc . LMAO!!!

 

[Tinuva]

General advice, don't just go buy all that stuff at once, its a lot of money. Try and figure out what happened or which item is not working.

My first go to, to worry about, is the pump. Its cheaper than a thermostat by more than half the price.
If the pump stops working (eg. something weird on its way out) the fan will not be enough to cool down the engine.

However, in your case, you could suspect the fan. If the fan was not working when it should be, just moving forward in the current cold air we have in cape town would be enough to get the engine temperature down again.

So while I have not experienced exactly what you have (I have only experienced a failed pump so far), my strategy for you, is to look at the fan first. The pump must have been working to cool down after the event. The thermostat on the m54 generally (90% of the time) fails open, eg. in winter your engine never reaches running temperature, you will see the needle not reaching the middle.

Sounds like you needed moving air to cool down after standing still for too long in traffic.

 

[evnmopwr]

Thanks. I dont have the scanner with me to test the fan. So im going to Pull that AC pressure sensor plug to see if the fan spins up full blast.

The Water pump and Thermostat was done recently (like few months back) which is strange as i seem to be changing water pumps part of every service.lol
the last pump failed as it was a plastic impeller and it nuked itself. so replaced with metal impeller 1.

So i will start with the fan this afternoon.
Then when i get home, will plug the scanner in to see if it has any current or Past codes for fan activation or something like that.

Will update the thread later today

 

[rodga]

Loosing any coolant?
My e39 m54 also shot up randomly and I couldnt find any obvious leaks but it was loosing coolant. Turns out there was a small leak on the top of the tank that you could only see by looking at an angle. It was such a small leak that almost evaporated immediately


Oh saw you on the kromboom bridge yesterday. Car is looking good.

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

 

[evnmopwr]

Loosing any coolant?
My e39 m54 also shot up randomly and I couldnt find any obvious leaks but it was loosing coolant. Turns out there was a small leak on the top of the tank that you could only see by looking at an angle. It was such a small leak that almost evaporated immediately


Oh saw you on the kromboom bridge yesterday. Car is looking good.

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

Thanks Bud. I cant even remember where i was. LOL

Na not losing coolant.
I took the chance in driving the car home without doing anything.
Turns out it was a VERY RISKY decision.

the Temp guage stayed centered all the way home but when i got home, The Engine bay was hotter than normal.
The Radiator craddle was too hot to touch. was a VERY STUPID MOVE which i plan on never doing again!!!!.

I pulled the AC pressure Sensor and started the Car, the fan never activated FULL BLAST.
Removed the fan and tried to spin it with my hand and it was jammed. Forced it and ot i spins but unevenly and lotsa bearing noise.
Connected it again and started car, it tries to start spinning up but then just does not.

Pulled the Fan from the 318i e46 i have and Tested on my car. works 100% ok.
PLugged the AC pressure senser plug back in and allowed the fan to auto activate 4 times while car idled before i called it safe to use. Lol ( Shame this 318i is dieing to be a parts car. )

So i guess Tinuva's Explanation hit the nail on the head. Thanks T!!!

 

[evnmopwr]

Anyone has experience with the Goldwagen "COOLXpert" brand radiator fans?

Priced at R3200

I checked online but could not find proper information on it.
I see FCPEuro sell these fans too so maybe they good?

Dealer wants R11 000 for a replacement and that is with a discount. :|

Would love to know peoples experiance with CoolXpert fans