X3 Pressure in Coolant system

[Dave]

Hi Guys

Looking for some advice here please.

Car is an X3 2008 Model, 2.0 Diesel. (E83) Mileage is about 220 0000km and it is almost due for a major service. (just over 1000km)

First issue noticed was about a few months ago, where it has a slight miss when the car is idling. At first it was only when cold, but afterwards seemed to happen even when the car was hot, but it was sporadic and not always.

Then last week out of the blue, i got a coolant light on. Stopped and checked, and the coolant bottle was empty. Have topped it up and bled the system but the coolant light kept coming up after about 30min+ worth of driving. Then decided to let it idle for a long time and monitor it in the yard to see what is happening. There is no water leaking from any of the pipes, but i noticed steam around the cap. phoned BMW for a replacement cap, but no one had stock at the time. Goldwagen had, so i went and fetched it, but they didnt have the exact spec. The original BMW had a 140 PSI label on it, and the golfwagen one handles up to 200PSI, so the guys said it should be fine as the cap handles more pressure compared to the original.

Anyway, tried the cap, and it seemed to be ok as there wasnt steam coming out from around the cap. So took it out for a drive and after about 30 minutes the coolant light came on again. But this time i was stuck in some traffic, and just as i got out of the traffic, i heard a big bang. Pulling over, i saw that the expansion tank bottle had blown up. Got the car towed home. Found a new bottle, and bled the system again and its still happening. (still with the goldwagen cap though)

During each episdode, i did monitor the heat gauge and it didn't move pass the halfway mark. Oil doesnt show any oil/water mix either.

Any idea as to what it can be?

The pipes all appear to be getting hot, which kind of rules out the thermostat, but it appears that something is building pressure in the coolant system. Suspect is that it is the head gasket, someone said it could be that there is a leak on the gasket allowing water to escape slowly and that is why there is a the slight miss at idle. similarly the leak on the gasket could be allowing air to enter the cooling system i guess if it is a head gasket issue.

Any suggestions for a good place to take it for further diagnosis around randburg/roodeport will be appreciated as well,

Thanks

 

[billbt]

Hi Dave, I suggest your first step from here is take to a radiator place, they’ll do a test and tell you if the head gasket is blown. Sound like it to me. If it was an easy job I’d say check the head bolts but it ain’t a quick job on these cars!


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[Dave]

Hi Dave, I suggest your first step from here is take to a radiator place, they’ll do a test and tell you if the head gasket is blown. Sound like it to me. If it was an easy job I’d say check the head bolts but it ain’t a quick job on these cars!


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Hi Billbt

Sounds sensible. Was thinking should just get the BMW cap and try that also. But will take it through for a test and report back.

Thanks

 

[Dave]

Hi All

@"billbt"
I finally got a new cap from BMW(140 PSI), which seemed to hold the coolant in a little longer, but eventually you could see it coming out the cap.
I took it to silverton radiators and they did a test which confirmed exhaust emissions entering the coolant system. So its most likely the head gasket now, and hopefully no damage to the head. The car isnt over heating despite the coolant loss, and once above 2000 RPM, it still as power, so im hoping nothing with the head.

any recommendations for a good workshop to have the head done?

 

[billbt]

Gee Dave, I have no faith in other people working on my car, they repair one thing and a whole lot goes wrong!!! I take it you’re not “mechanically” inclined? Wherever you take it, make SURE they put in new head bolts, these bolts are “stretch bolts” and are not reusable. It is quite a labor intensive job as well.


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[Dave]

i think Im fairly mechanically inclined. I have pretty much worked on all aspects of cars including changing out a turbo on an e90 320d. Just opening the engine is not really something i would say Im comfortable with, hence looking for recommendations from others who may have had their engines done.