BMW 328i - Overheating/Radiator problem
Discussion
I have a late 1996 328i Cabrio based in Marbella.
I noticed that there was a Coolant leak the other day that appeared to be coming from the bottom right corner of the Radiator. A local garage recommended that I replace it asap. I ordered one from the Uk to save 70% on Marbella prices!! and used a quality radiator sealant to keep me on the road until it is delivered.
Shortly after using the sealant the temperature went into the red zone lots of water started to leak from the bottom of the radiator area!
I checked the rubber water pipes and noticed that one side of the area where the thermostat is located was hot and the other was cool. I open the radiator cap and squeezed the pipe and it appeared to clear an air lock and I was then able to add 5 litres of coolant.
I tried running the car again but water began pouring out again. A friend whose much more mechanically minded than me suggested that the water may be coming from the radiator overflow pipe the problem may relate to the thermostat rather than a leak?
Any advice would be appreciated!
I noticed that there was a Coolant leak the other day that appeared to be coming from the bottom right corner of the Radiator. A local garage recommended that I replace it asap. I ordered one from the Uk to save 70% on Marbella prices!! and used a quality radiator sealant to keep me on the road until it is delivered.
Shortly after using the sealant the temperature went into the red zone lots of water started to leak from the bottom of the radiator area!
I checked the rubber water pipes and noticed that one side of the area where the thermostat is located was hot and the other was cool. I open the radiator cap and squeezed the pipe and it appeared to clear an air lock and I was then able to add 5 litres of coolant.
I tried running the car again but water began pouring out again. A friend whose much more mechanically minded than me suggested that the water may be coming from the radiator overflow pipe the problem may relate to the thermostat rather than a leak?
Any advice would be appreciated!
the overheat was most likely from the airlock, BMWs hide them very well, and the route cause was probably the leak.
Have a look at the thermostat housing, these can get hairline cracks and start loosing your coolant, which starts the problem. The water from the rad will be coming from the cap area at the top, it'll run down the expansion tank hising, and make itself known at the bottom.
Problems you can get with radiators -
rad cap - i'd probably suggest getting anew one, these can also start the leaks and create the situation.
blown rad bars - take a look at the top and bottom of the rad core and see if the bars have ballooned up and split from pressure.
expansion tank seal- the tank section on the side is a separate piece, and they can leak under pressure, a new rad will fix this anyway.
top hose spigot - the plastic can crack and the complete spigot can snap off. not too common, and you'd know about it in this case if it did happen.
Other cooling problems are cracked water pumps, cracked thermostat housings and weak viscous fans.
Look out for the tell tale white mrks from evaporated coolant.
Have a look at the thermostat housing, these can get hairline cracks and start loosing your coolant, which starts the problem. The water from the rad will be coming from the cap area at the top, it'll run down the expansion tank hising, and make itself known at the bottom.
Problems you can get with radiators -
rad cap - i'd probably suggest getting anew one, these can also start the leaks and create the situation.
blown rad bars - take a look at the top and bottom of the rad core and see if the bars have ballooned up and split from pressure.
expansion tank seal- the tank section on the side is a separate piece, and they can leak under pressure, a new rad will fix this anyway.
top hose spigot - the plastic can crack and the complete spigot can snap off. not too common, and you'd know about it in this case if it did happen.
Other cooling problems are cracked water pumps, cracked thermostat housings and weak viscous fans.
Look out for the tell tale white mrks from evaporated coolant.
Thanks for you advice JX325i and The End, very useful and relevant comments from both of you.
As my local garage advised me to fit a new radiator I'll be taking it up with them when it hopefully arrives today from the UK.
Regardless, I'll certainly replace both the Thermostat, Radiator and Cap.
My only problem is the 4 mile drive to the garage from the hills high up above Marbella.
Thanks again
As my local garage advised me to fit a new radiator I'll be taking it up with them when it hopefully arrives today from the UK.
Regardless, I'll certainly replace both the Thermostat, Radiator and Cap.
My only problem is the 4 mile drive to the garage from the hills high up above Marbella.
Thanks again
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