Over Heating???

[Chong_Bong]

Hi All ) (First posting on a forum)

I have a problem with my 1996 - 328i Convert 73k miles.

It over heated a few weeks ago, so I bled the radiator, to make sure it wasn’t an air lock.
Everything seemed fine after that but when I checked the water level in the morning it looked fine right where it was supposed to be.
But after driving it home from work (about 10 miles) I tried to check the level again but the water was boiling!!! Didn’t manage to take the top of so I left it to cool down. On the drive home the gauge never read any other temp apart from normal!!!

So I bled the Radiator again. Next day same thing.

So I then changed the Water Pump and thermostat.

Made no difference….

I then ran it into BMW main dealer for them to check it out…

They told me the viscous coupling (not sure what that is) needed re-placing, so they changed that and gave it a full bill of health £200 later.

However when I checked the water levels 3 days later it had dropped 8 notches, and was boiling again.

I bled the radiator again…went to work this morning. Checked the water level after my drive home tonight, same thing still boiling!!!!

Could someone please tell me what is going on with my car? (

If you have any questions my email: Rollin_On_Dubs@hotmail.co.uk

Cheers All

Andy

 

[mjbst111]

what do you mean by boiling. How can you tell that it is boiling?

Are you trying to take off the cap while its hot?!

 

[m5runner]

sounds like a head gasket to me.

 

[epj3]

You never said anything about antifreeze, just water. I hope you have antifreeze in there - not JUST water. If you don't say bye! to that motor.

 

[andreyiv]

Also, you can't check the coolant level (whatever the coolant is) when its hot. The expansion tank has a line on it and next to it it says "KALT" OR "COLD" which obviously means cold. The level can only be checked on a cold engine (and cooling system) and that cap should not be opened when its hot (hence thats what says on it).

As Eric said, you can't just have water in that cooling system but I would think the dealer have told you that. Anyway, good luck, monitor the coolant level when its cold and don't try to open the cap when anything is hot. If its going to go down then something is wrong, if not, well, your fine. Oh and make sure the car is on level ground when your checking the coolant level.

 

[mjbst111]

sounds like a head gasket to me.

hmm that could be... that would really suck at 73K miles!

 

[m5runner]

very much so. i think mine is screwed also. i have to top it off ever so often and i see no leaks underneath. i think i'm going to hang it up and get a 95 540i

 

[epj3]

very much so. i think mine is screwed also. i have to top it off ever so often and i see no leaks underneath. i think i'm going to hang it up and get a 95 540i

V8 E34, fun! But hope you enjoy 10x the maintainence than most other non-M's.

 

[m5runner]

not for a 95 540i. I spoke with my mech and he told me about the engine problems with the 540 and they were made of something that would blow out the engine. I am looking but very carefully. According to him, BMW was supposed to change these engines out but who knows. Before I buy the car I'll definately check the VIN, etc. Keep us posted on that car of yours.

 

[epj3]

not for a 95 540i. I spoke with my mech and he told me about the engine problems with the 540 and they were made of something that would blow out the engine. I am looking but very carefully. According to him, BMW was supposed to change these engines out but who knows. Before I buy the car I'll definately check the VIN, etc. Keep us posted on that car of yours.

Nikasil isn't the costly problem, the fact that it's a V8 bmw makes it extremely costly. The e34 is already one of the more expensive cars to maintain (like $800 in just PARTS to do JUST the control arms and tie rods up front...). You basically have to remove everything on top of the V8's to do maintainence on anything... That's an extra 2 hours of labor at least just for getting to the 'broken parts.' Like having to remove the alternator to replace engine mounts... oh yea, engine mounts are a under-1-hour job on almost all bmw's, but on the V8's (which this is a weak point on the V8's)... it's a 3-5 hour replacement.

Just don't take my word for it, if you buy one you WILL find out. If you don't mind paying "M-Car" maintainence costs for a non-M car, then you will be very happy with the 540i. It's a sick car.