E39 525i Slight Overheating. Possible Air Bubble or Thermostat?

[jeff_denning]

Morning guys,

Something a bit strange happened this morning when I was on the way to work.
The traffic was slightly heavy, but when I came to a stop my heat gauge suddenly went up. I pulled away very slowly, after which is went back to the normal 12 o clock reading....

Came to a stop again and it happened again. This time though I revved the engine slightly to about 2000rpm - the needle goes back to normal :/
When I got to the office I had a look under the hood and found this, not 100% sure what it is, but it's slowly bubbling water. Seems like the pipe is cracked.

 

[S///Mon]

Is that the Thermostat housing that be cracked?

 

[moranor@axis]

time to overhaul the cooling system its really not worth taking a chance on this...

 

[whattingh]

From your description it sound like your fan clutch has is failing

Also that wet should not be there. Thermostat is cracked i guess.

As moranor said overhaul cooling. Overheating these engines is very expensive aftermath

 

[Ricky318i]

I had similar symptoms on my 325i E46 M54, and it turned out to be a faulty thermostat. But replace that cracked hose immediately!

 

[jeff_denning]

Overhauling the cooling system is definitely on the cards! Just need to see how much it'll cost.
Gave Bruces BMW a call now, they said they'd email me a quote.

Is there anywhere else you guys can recommend in CT? Hopefully it's just the thermostat and piping replacement.

 

[whattingh]

just check if your fan clutch is also faulty...

 

[jeff_denning]

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...iTzOGdHl1Y3huY2V5QzQzSnBHNTZKZl9fUlE&hl=en_US

Got the quote, what you guys think?
I can probably buy the waterpump and thermostat and fit it myself.

 

[SecondSkynz]

+1 on visco fan clutch, had to do mine 6 weeks ago

 

[jeff_denning]

+1 on visco fan clutch, had to do mine 6 weeks ago

Cool, I'll add it to the shopping car
Thanks dude!

How much did yours set you back if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Roundal]

Those boys are basically charging you R800 for a thermostat! I bought a housing from Master Parts for R250 last month!

I have had nothing but bad experiences from Bruce's!

 

[whattingh]

roundal the 525 have the electronic thermostat that has the thermostat integrated in the housing.

 

[SecondSkynz]

stealer wanted over 3k, got mine incl fitting for r900

 

[jeff_denning]

Those boys are basically charging you R800 for a thermostat! I bought a housing from Master Parts for R250 last month!

I have had nothing but bad experiences from Bruce's!

Thanks bud!
I've dropped Master Parts a line, so I'll see what they can organise for me Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated!!

I'll keep you guys updated with things.

On a quick side note, is the car OK to drive to and from work for the rest of the week, maybe after a quick fix to get it through the week or something? I know it isn't ideal... but I can only sort things out on Saturday.

 

[moranor@axis]

i guess it depends on how far work is... i would keep alot of water in the car just incase...

 

[jeff_denning]

i guess it depends on how far work is... i would keep alot of water in the car just incase...

Time to leave early and beat traffic this week I guess. Meh!! I'll chuck a few 2l coke bottles in the boot for safe measure
Thanks for all the replies and help here moranor, it's much appreciated dude!!

+1 rep for joooooooo raise:

 

[moranor@axis]

not sure i helped much... i just said what i would do... thanks for the rep

 

[jeff_denning]

So to keep you guys updated on this one, turns out it isn't actually the thermostat housing - but rather the pipe before. Think it's a flow meter of sorts?

Anyway, managed to source it at SMG in Cape Town for R480 and fitted it myself. 2 mins later, it's all good. Had to buy some anti-freeze too because part of the cooling system needed to be drained out.
Overheating issue solved

 

[Legacy]

Glad you got everything sorted! :=):

PS: If something happens to your car I think everyone on this forum cries..

 

[Gregmeister]

Nice one jeff, now get out there and DRIVE! :rollsmile: