Hi!! my car is DEAD : ( WHY?? WHY??

J

johnnybmw1

Member
#1
Messages
35
Likes
0
Location
Massachusetts
#1
Hi... i love this BMW board forum... ive been writing posts here and there and ive been enjoying it... i value every reply from you wonderful bmw enthusiasts

Ok, my car is in deep doo doo...

This about a month ago... I've noticed rough idling and couldn't figured out why it was rough idling, (cheap gas maybe??) so anyway, when the car is at stop the car would want to idle... it was crazy... poor, verrrry poor fuel effiency... I've noticed I used to do 300miles on a full tank ... now im only doing 200...
I knew i had to replace the Oxygen Sensor but didn't have a chance..."check engine" light would come on once in a while because of poor oxygen sensor

so anyway, one day when i was driving the temperature gauge went to red and the car was overheating... i found out i need to put more coolant into the radiator.. i did that and it still overheat... couldn't figure out why.... i tried to drive it home and suddenly there was a hesitation when i stepped on the gas...

when the car was idling i noticed the car is losing power... (how could it be? i changed the battery a few months ago) the car lost power and it died on me in the middle of the street.

the car is overheating too!!! so i stopped and i looked under the car and i was shocked that I SAW A BROKEN BELT

COULD IT BE THE ALTERNATOR BELT??? is there even a such thing is a alternator belt??????? could it be the timing belt????????? what is it???????

please help me find a solution...........................
 
selavia

selavia

2
#2
Messages
1,035
Likes
5
Location
Maryland
#2
first of all, relax a bit; it'll be okay.
The belt that broke probably is your serptine/alternator belt/ what ever else it's called. Not a big deal to replace; you jjust have tofind which part adjusts to replace it; I know on Fords it's the alternator (not sure on BMWs) Also you'll need to make sure there are no loose pieces in any pulleys; if the belt got chewed you'll probably have this problem. You'll also need the torque spec of the part that adjusts.

The idle problems and gas consumption are probably uyour o2 sensor; if not o2 senser, i would next look for a vacuum leak; starting with the MAF boot.

Good luck.

Sean
 
selavia

selavia

2
#3
Messages
1,035
Likes
5
Location
Maryland
#3
Also over heating could be many things; thermostat; coolant level; loss of coolant due to a cracked radiator (I believe this is a common problem); loss of coolant due to a loose or cracked hose.

Also it sounds to me that your car has not been receiving the regular Inspection I & II Services required.
 
selavia

selavia

2
#6
Messages
1,035
Likes
5
Location
Maryland
#6
Chesty Bonds said:
When thermostats fail they only do so in the open position which means that the car will run cold, not hot. It won't be the thermostat.
Click to expand...
Are you sure? I mean it makes sense that it would only get stuck open, but I distinctly remember that they can get stuck closed.
 
J

johnnybmw1

Member
#7
Messages
35
Likes
0
Location
Massachusetts
#7
Thanks for the info Selavia... I will have my car checked soon... It won't even start... gotta push it all the way to the shop... :( ...................I never had the inspection 1 or 2 ... they are really expensive at the bmw dealers... i usually do the regular maintenance myself once in a while
 
Chesty Bonds

Chesty Bonds

2
#8
Messages
1,715
Likes
0
Location
Melbourne, AUS
#8
selavia said:
Are you sure? I mean it makes sense that it would only get stuck open, but I distinctly remember that they can get stuck closed.
Click to expand...
Yeah they're designed to fail open. Overheating is likely to be an auxilliary fan issue or coolant leak.
 
E

epj3

Senior Member
#9
Messages
7,370
Likes
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
#9
Chesty Bonds said:
Yeah they're designed to fail open. Overheating is likely to be an auxilliary fan issue or coolant leak.
Click to expand...
They can and DO fail closed. I've never heard of a BMW failing like that, but I do know it can happen. It's usually not a matter of failing but poor materials and build.
 
Zee3Coupe

Zee3Coupe

Member
#10
Messages
51
Likes
0
Location
Boston, MA
#10
If the belt snapped, it stopped turning the water pump and the alternator at the same time. It probably went a few miles before you noticed the heat go up, which gave you just enough time to run the car off the battery until it was out of juice...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top