Cooling system - shagged - what's broken?

[_Deano]

Took a video of this today, which occurred last night - the temp was in the red and the oil level dropped (probably from over heating). The temp maxed out for around 4 mins, until i was able to get to a garage to cool the bugger down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c306V2L5PWI

Oh and to add, this is with the key out the ignition. When the key is turned to, so the pump is engaged the water pissing out everywhere.

Forgot to add that this is on a e39 530i Sport.

Edited by _Deano on Wednesday 29th June 22:29

[Defcon5]

Im fairly sure total coolant system failure is common on this engine, try googling it

[buggalugs]

What's broken?? Er, your radiator!!

[_Deano]

Should have been more specific.
Which part of the rad is broken? And does this mean that i need to replace the whole rad or can this part be replaced quite easily?
thanks

[sparks_E39]

Common E39 fault, replace the whole lot is the best option, around £450.

[E30M3SE]

_Deano said:

The temp maxed out for around 4 mins, until i was able to get to a garage to cool the bugger down.

Replace the whole rad and hope no other damage has occured.

[Frances The Mute]

4 minutes is a very long time - more so on these engines as they don't like getting hot at all. E39 cooling systems can be very weak indeed. To be fair, I see it much more on the 523/528.

The only fool-proof plan is to replace everything. To be fair, I'd need to get the head checked before paying out.

[roofer]

Frances The Mute said:

4 minutes is a very long time - I'd need to get the head checked before paying out.

Agreed.

[anonymous-user]

With it being that hot for 4 minutes you can fully expect the head to be warped. Even a tiny crack will just get worse and worse over time to the point it is drinking coolant and the head gasket will eventually give up - huge expense!

[anonymous-user]

I'm not being funny but why on earth would you run a car for that long when it's overheating?

[sparks_E39]

St John Smythe said:

I'm not being funny but why on earth would you run a car for that long when it's overheating?

Agreed, surely the engine is now cooked, unless you are very lucky?

[Defcon5]

St John Smythe said:

I'm not being funny but why on earth would you run a car for that long when it's overheating?

Maybe he was in the middle of the M1 at rush hour?

[anonymous-user]

Defcon5 said:

Maybe he was in the middle of the M1 at rush hour?

From the origanal post I would think this is unlikely. If my car overheated I would turn it off immediately (especially if stuck in traffic), not try and limp it to a garage in that state

[trickywoo]

bmw535i said:

If my car overheated I would turn it off immediately (especially if stuck in traffic), not try and limp it to a garage in that state

This. Even if mine went past half way on the tem guage I'd be stopping pronto to see if there was any obvious fault.

Running it for 4 minutes at the max temperature has, at least, doubled the repair bill.

The bit where OP says the oil level dropped is