e36 328i coolant level issue

[freerider]

These motors are quite bullet proof, as long as they dont overheat

 

[wikk3d88]

These motors are quite bullet proof, as long as they dont overheat

Why is it that cooling systems are the weakest point on BMW's in general?

 

[moranor@axis]

LaurenL for an ignorant girl you really know your stuff :rollsmile:
im with freerider on this one change the water pump then look at other things if the problem continues...

What stuff do I know? My gosh everything I've said has basically been told to me in the last 72hours. All I knew before this ordeal was: don't, whatever you do, DO NOT let the car overheat

lol well you have been told right

 

[freerider]

Because they are closed pressurized systems. Subject any material to consistant changes in temperature to this degree coupled with pressure, and its bound to fail at some point in time.

 

[wikk3d88]

Because they are closed pressurized systems. Subject any material to consistant changes in temperature to this degree coupled with pressure, and its bound to fail at some point in time.

Oh I understand that, but stories like the following leave me a little bewildered

My MP expired in Nov 2010, so I have done just over a year and 23 000km out of MP.

Expenses for last year was:
1. Crank shaft sensor - R2300 (R3800 at dealers)
2. Vacum pump oil leak - R750
3. My oil service, pollen filter service, brake fluid flush & brake pad service were done at the same time - R4550

Over this weekend the car started leaking water at the breather pipe on the radiator. On Monday on my way to work I noticed smoke/steam coming out of the front of the vehicle. As luck would have it I was standing at the robots right in front of Auric Auto in Claremont. The independent I use is in Paarden Eiland (Zeemax) and I was a good 10km away in peak hour bumper to bumper traffic. Decided not to take the risk and pulled into Auric.

Got a quote of R2800 to fix, pipe was R1800, rest is labour + VAT. Leave the car there and get a call at 11am, "When we took the pipe off, a plastic nipple broke on the expansion tank. It's normal wear and tear and cooling system plastics in E90 are very brittle. Extra R1100 required". After a bit of bitching and moaning from my side I agree as I needed the car. Not 10 minutes later another call, "When we took the pipe of the radiator joint, the joint broke. All plastic around radiator is brittle and perishing. You need a new radiator. That will be R9800 to fit a new radiator."

To cut a long story short, I contacted Zeemax, got a quote of R3800 to fit and supply radiator + R649 for breather pipe. Paid Auric R649 for hours labour, and Zeemax towed car to their workshop.

I think it was about R40k to extend my MP for another 40 000km - so far I am way under that number in services and repairs.

Similar vintage Japanese cars, for example the Honda Accord, don't seem to suffer from these kind of issues.

 

[freerider]

A lot of it comes down to design i guess, there have been some class action suits filed in the states, not sure what the outcome was, but it wouldnt extend to us unfortunately.

 

[shannonreilly]

I would go and get a pressure test performed first thing, then if there are no leaks its advisable to replace the water pump with a replacement pump but make sure it has the metal impeller, and then get the thermostat housing replaced with an aluminium one, fan delete mod is also recommended if you can afford it. Very lucky if your water pump failed and your fan didn't explode and damage all the bits around it. Secondly if u have lost coolant to the point where it was that low in the reservoir I suggest you bleed the system when you adding the coolant. You may have an air pocket somewhere that could be causing the rapid rise in temp from cold. Although you should not be losing coolant period. Is your heater blowing hot when the car is up to temp (ie middle of the temp gauge) if not your coolant system is not bled properly. Hope this helps. Oh and one more thing it won't hurt to replace the expansion tank while you are at it by now I am sure its all green and probably brittle by now. Good luck !