solved Overheating

[LYFGP]

Hi gents and ladies.

Was driving home from work and I heard the fan on (first time hearing the fan after almost 4 years of ownership). After a while the yellow “heat gauge” light came on and car went into limp mode and a few seconds later the red light came on. I immediately stopped to let it cool down.

I then drove home (was close to home) and parked the car to let it cool down a bit. I then opened up the expansion tank and the water/coolant level was still the same since changing the bottle a few months ago.

I started the car and checked if water was flowing, which it was. I unlocked the hidden menu to monitor the temps. When I went for a test drive again, then temp went up to 110 degrees and the fan then came on again.

What could be the problem? 🥺

Current mileage: 250000km
E90 320d MSport LCI Auto

 

[TMP TOYS]

What car is it?
Im sure that mileage has an extra/s zero

 

[Nikhil]

Sounds like a thermostat issue.

 

[LYFGP]

What car is it?
Im sure that mileage has an extra/s zero

Apologies
E90 320d LCI MSport auto.
250000km

 

[POZER]

Sounds like a thermostat issue.

Could be the water pump also. I had the same issue. Replaced water pump and thermostat. All good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[maverick328]

Start with a diagnostic, check for any error codes etc related to the overheating issue. I had a similar issue last month on my E90 330d. I was also stumped by this issue. I changed thermostat, ECTS, and checked the water pump to no avail. The problem turned out to be a faulty ECTS wiring which caused the DME to send false signals to the cooling fan and in turn signaled the temp lights to come on.

Check the wiring that leads up to the ECTS

 

[LYFGP]

Thanks for the call and advice @maverick328

Thank you gents. I'll have all the above checked out and have the car scanned too.

I will revert once the issue has been resolved.

 

[LYFGP]

Quick update.

The workshop I took the car to, diagnosed the issue and said the thermostat and water pump failed.

 

[maverick328]

Keep us posted regarding the fitment of the new parts and whether it solves the overheating issue

 

[LYFGP]

Keep us posted regarding the fitment of the new parts and whether it solves the overheating issue

Will do. Hopefully my extended warranty pays for everything.
P.S I did check the temp switch as you advised. All seems fine there

 

[evnmopwr]

These E90s have Electric Water pumps is it not?
That sounds like its on its way out.

Friend of mine had same issue with his E90 325i.
new pump fixed his issue.

E90 water Pump price = the reason i love my e46 so much. lol

 

[Nikhil]

These E90s have Electric Water pumps is it not?
That sounds like its on its way out.

Friend of mine had same issue with his E90 325i.
new pump fixed his issue.

E90 water Pump price = the reason i love my e46 so much. lol

E90 diesel is still a mechanical water pump. Only the petrol models use a electric one from what I recall.

 

[LYFGP]

These E90s have Electric Water pumps is it not?
That sounds like its on its way out.

Friend of mine had same issue with his E90 325i.
new pump fixed his issue.

E90 water Pump price = the reason i love my e46 so much. lol

From the research i've done, it seems like it's the 6cyl E90's that have Electric water pumps only?
When i do the "water pump" test by switching on the heater and holding accelerator in, nothing happens, but i've tried this a while back already, just after I bought the car. Thsi leads me to beleive that it's a mechanical water pump.

 

[LYFGP]

So I could kick myself right about now. I think the ECTS was the main culprit as @maverick328 told me. But, for some reason I couldn’t get someone to come out to do diagnostics on the car, so I just opted to send it in to a workshop.

The workshop replaced the thermostat and water pump. I picked up the car week before last Friday and the problem was still there. I took it back the next day and they advised that they’ll need to book it back and and troubleshoot some more.
According to the workshop, they replaced the ECTS AND the problem persisted. They then removed the thermostat and the temps remained someone constant. They then came to the conclusion that the new thermostat was faulty and ordered a new one. The problem was still there. They then replaced the thermostat housing too and problem solved.

My question now is, can I ‘complain’ to the RMI as I’m guessing the ECTS was the culprit and the water pump and thermostat never had an issue in the first place?

Warranty only covered about 30% of the costs as according to them, they could only pay for the thermostat and labour as they “do not cover a part that failed as a result of another part failing”. According to the workshop and assessor that checked the car, the water pump failed because the thermostat failed.

P.s I paid about R7.5k out of my own pocket.

 

[evnmopwr]

Worth a shot.
but my experience with RMI, they all for the Workshop and not the actual clients.

They will come back telling you the workshop took the car back and Eventually sorted it out in the end so they will consider the matter closed.

im just glad your car is finally sorted.

 

[Kyle]

So I could kick myself right about now. I think the ECTS was the main culprit as @maverick328 told me. But, for some reason I couldn’t get someone to come out to do diagnostics on the car, so I just opted to send it in to a workshop.

The workshop replaced the thermostat and water pump. I picked up the car week before last Friday and the problem was still there. I took it back the next day and they advised that they’ll need to book it back and and troubleshoot some more.
According to the workshop, they replaced the ECTS AND the problem persisted. They then removed the thermostat and the temps remained someone constant. They then came to the conclusion that the new thermostat was faulty and ordered a new one. The problem was still there. They then replaced the thermostat housing too and problem solved.

My question now is, can I ‘complain’ to the RMI as I’m guessing the ECTS was the culprit and the water pump and thermostat never had an issue in the first place?

Warranty only covered about 30% of the costs as according to them, they could only pay for the thermostat and labour as they “do not cover a part that failed as a result of another part failing”. According to the workshop and assessor that checked the car, the water pump failed because the thermostat failed.

P.s I paid about R7.5k out of my own pocket.

Glad it's sorted, IMO it's not worth the time or effort trying to get anything back... At least the car has a new water pump and thermo now.

 

[LYFGP]

Thanks @evnmopwr and @Kyle

Yeah I actually thought about it this morning and after speaking to @maverick328 this morning too, it's not worth it and my car now has a new thermostat, thermostat housing and water pump