Overheated and blew gasket (i think)

[cyberdemon]

Just heard a poof and saw steam bursting up my windshield.

Where can I send the car to be assessed, its insured, in Cape Town?

Its a 94 E36 316i. I was told about ART (Kromboom Rd) and Bapoo BMW (Rokeby Rd or something).

Any contact #?

 

[Ralf*]

Steam blowing over the windshield, doesn't sound like a blown head gasket to me, but rather the coolant expansion tank....there are hundreds of threads on here about these, they seem to be a bit of a week point on BMW's.

blown head gasket usually means water mixing into the oil...check dipstick for a "tan" foamy colour as indication of this

or check for smell of fuel or exhaust gases in the water from the expansion tank filler cap.

my bet is on the expansion tank that overpressured and ruptured.

in any case not advisable to drive with it, to prevent further damage.

 

[cyberdemon]

Steam blowing over the windshield, doesn't sound like a blown head gasket to me, but rather the coolant expansion tank....there are hundreds of threads on here about these, they seem to be a bit of a week point on BMW's.

blown head gasket usually means water mixing into the oil...check dipstick for a "tan" foamy colour as indication of this

or check for smell of fuel or exhaust gases in the water from the expansion tank filler cap.

my bet is on the expansion tank that overpressured and ruptured.

in any case not advisable to drive with it, to prevent further damage.

thanks, i dont know much about it. I'll have to find out by the mechanic. Can you recommend anyone?

 

[cyberdemon]

Took it to Haven Motors BMW Specialists. Seems to be a pipe that has burst that connects the radiator to the engine block.

After they source and replace, then only can they test the gasket etc, but right now its looking like its only that. Could also require a new thermostat and possibly water pump.

 

[Ralf*]

Took it to Haven Motors BMW Specialists. Seems to be a pipe that has burst that connects the radiator to the engine block.

After they source and replace, then only can they test the gasket etc, but right now its looking like its only that. Could also require a new thermostat and possibly water pump.

good stuff.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Where about is CPT do you live?

Theres Garage 808 in Bellville. They are very good.

Then there is Zeemax in Paarden Eiland.

Sound smore like a Expansion Bottle issue. Loud bang followed by steam.

 

[Solo Man]

Seeing that you are replacing the radiator hose you may as well replace the thermostat and water pump. Then replace the small plastic y-piece at the rear of the engine (between the engine and the bulkhead - see my post about this pipe) as well as the plastic pipe under the inlet manifold - a pig to replace as you have to remove the alternator and oil filter housing which btw is probably leaking oil as the o-ring is usually shot by this time) at the same time, as well as the bottom radiator hose for good measure. Do not buy the cheapest thermostat and water pump but try to get Febi/Meyle or similar from Goeie Hoop Motoronderdele/Goldwagen/Masterparts as the cheap thermostats don't last. (If your's is the M43 motor)

 

[Pfw28]

Seeing that you are replacing the radiator hose you may as well replace the thermostat and water pump. Then replace the small plastic y-piece at the rear of the engine (between the engine and the bulkhead - see my post about this pipe) as well as the plastic pipe under the inlet manifold - a pig to replace as you have to remove the alternator and oil filter housing which btw is probably leaking oil as the o-ring is usually shot by this time) at the same time, as well as the bottom radiator hose for good measure. Do not buy the cheapest thermostat and water pump but try to get Febi/Meyle or similar from Goeie Hoop Motoronderdele/Goldwagen/Masterparts as the cheap thermostats don't last. (If your's is the M43 motor)

+1, those plastic pipes are prone to perishing, then blow when they feel like it, normally in slow moving traffic. Had some aluminium ones made up a while back at a friend's engineering shop, but he's no longer with us so can't help with a reference. Looked really good, too! May be worth looking into. :fencelook: