Guys urgent please help

[KarshS]

Hi guys,

Got a issue on my hands.

I noticed that i am having to fill up my water every week or so. When i start my car in the mornings there is a funny whining sound from the front. can this be the water pump?

Once it warms up after a bit of driving the sound stops.

There is no signs of any water leakage.

What could it be. If i can find the problem myself it would cost less than having to send it to the mac for the whole day.

Thanks

 

[zaleonardz]

Water loss and whirring sounds are not the same thing.

Probably one of your pulley's or bearings are going on either the aircon, altenator, bla bla bla, could be a tentioner as well, could just be the belt, have it checked out, play with the aircon on and off.

As for the water loss, the E46 is renounded for its weak cooling system, particularly the expansion tank, and piping.

Have a proper look, take off the engine covers, it could be that the water is just being burnt up by the exhuast or when you depressurize the engine from turnin it off, that the leak no longer has pressure, and does not show.

 

[MikeR]

Water loss and whirring sounds are not the same thing.

Probably one of your pulley's or bearings are going on either the aircon, altenator, bla bla bla, could be a tentioner as well, could just be the belt, have it checked out, play with the aircon on and off.

As for the water loss, the E46 is renounded for its weak cooling system, particularly the expansion tank, and piping.

Have a proper look, take off the engine covers, it could be that the water is just being burnt up by the exhuast or when you depressurize the engine from turnin it off, that the leak no longer has pressure, and does not show.

:+1:

 

[KarshS]

OOoookay so its not as simple as i thought it would be. Not really a constant sound. It sounds like water is leaking from sum where but with a force. lol i really cant explain the noise. The aircon works perfect though.

Its like a zzzzz then stops and zzzzz and keeps doing that like intermittent lol.....

Please dont rip at me lol

 

[zaleonardz]

No no, if you hear the noise, turn the aircon off, see if it goes away/comes on when you turn it on..

 

[KarshS]

No no, if you hear the noise, turn the aircon off, see if it goes away/comes on when you turn it on..

No the sound is there even if the aircon is on or off.....

 

[zaleonardz]

K, then its one of the others.

Have you checked your expansion tank, when last did you have it changed ?

 

[KarshS]

K, then its one of the others.

Have you checked your expansion tank, when last did you have it changed ?

MMmmmm what is an expansion tank?

I replaced the long black water bottle lately. The one that sits behind the radiator. After i did that, thats when all these issues started. The old bottle cracked.

 

[Spy007]

did my expansion tank as well. Might be a leak where the pipes join.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=9442

check thread it will help you to look at all the joins and pipes that might be the problem,,

 

[zaleonardz]

The long black water bottle is the expansion tank.

You could have a leak on the pipes, who did the repair for you ?

 

[enverh]

hi

i had the same problem with my 325ci and it turned out to be the water pump. so check it out.

 

[XMAX]

possibly the water pump.

I had this issue a little while back. Set me back R2k cos the fcuking shaft was bent and wore the belt out also.

so check the water pump. there could be a seal failure, or the shaft could be warped and cause a leak.

Best to check for play on the water pump. Get a good mechanic to have a look (one that wont rip you off and will give you proper advice).

the last thing you want is to have a water pump failure on the freeway. That could be far more disastrous.


Sorry bout the long thread. I had this issue also, with the whirring sound starting intermittently, then as time progressed it got worse. Dont go that route. Get it checked now.


Hope this helped.

 

[Beast_Power]

Had the same problem on one of my previous BM's and ended up being the water pump. Ended up being stranded next to the road. Closest BMW was 130km's away. Technician callout and travel was more than the actual parts and labour.

 

[KarshS]

Thanks for all the comments guys.....i sent it in.

The Mac replaced the water pump and the Jockey pulley.

All is good once again