overheating

[bmwperson]

Hey,
I bought another 325i the only problem it has it overheats after a little bit, Im thinking... water pump dead? thermostat? any other things that might cause it?

--
Tom

 

[mjbst111]

does it overheat while sitting at a light or while driving down the highway, or both.

could be your thermostat stuck closed, could be your fan clutch, could be a clogged radiator, and maybe your pump but not likely.

to check your termostat, start your car cold, feel the pipe at each end of the thermostat, or just at the exit end of it. If it stays relatively cold while your engine gets hot then your thermostat is stuck closed, not allowing flow to the rdiator.

to check the fan clutch, let your car get hot at and idle, and rev your engine a little bit and just for a second, your chould hear your fan sound like a turbine. You should at least be able to hear your fan spin very quickly, if so your clutch is fine. There another test too. Spin your fan with your car off and keys in hand and engine cold. Easy to spin.... then let your engine get hot (not overheat), turn it back off and with keys in hand, try to spin it again... it should be harder to spin.

check radiator... take off both hoses and try flushing it.... if it flushes easily, it should be fine....

Finnaly to check your water pump start your engine cold, and with the coolant tank cap off... eventually you will see the coolant return flowing into the tank... a small stream.

hope you find the problem.

 

[matt_320i]

my 318 also overheats.

it reaches the 1/2 way mark on the temp gauge within 5-10 mins of starting. that is driving below 3000rpm aswell.


i will try all the sugestions above & see if that helps me too!

cheers!

 

[mjbst111]

the 318 might have an electric fan. anyone??

 

[Big Daddy]

Another thing to check is make sure the cooling system has no air in it. Most BMW's have a bleed screw on the thermostat housing, with the car running and warm, open the bleed screw until all the air bleeds out and coolant begins to flow.