my 5 series bmw

[dumphus65]

Help!!!
Ive just a 5 series on a 94 plate and i think ive got an engine problem but aint up enough to know?
its a tds and runs like a dream, but the temperature goes up to exactly half, then the fan kicks in (i think) and then it drops back down to a quart and this goes on during the whole time im driving.is this a normal thing????

[Shaw Tarse]

Yes!

[dumphus65]

r u sure cause ive had a couple of bmws previous and that didnt happen? sos just weary ive heard there prone to cooling probs!

[dabofoppo]

If it's happening in slow moving traffic or when your parked up then it's normal. It shouldn't happen when your travelling normally ( at least in my experience ).

[dumphus65]

it happens regardless of my driving, thats why im a bit worried. Normally i thought temp just goes to approx quart moves slightly up when in traffic or parked then the fan usually kicks in, but this goes up to half and just stays there till the fan then kicks in then down to a quart fan goes off then straight back up to half and so on ???

[M3333]

Ive had loads of BMW's and the temperature needle should always be at half way.

I had a few where the thermostat failed and on a run the temperature guage would sit at 1/4 and then go upto half way in traffic etc and the heater would be very poor.

Its an easy and very cheap fix

[dumphus65]

nice one, my heater is fine in fact the car is great and toasty! i had to drive it for about two hours along motorways to get it home and the temp never moved over half, it went from a quart to a half when i put my foot down but around town its just as i said up and down. its got fsh and the last service was only 4k ago so i would have thought all would be ok ...but you can never be to sure.!

[M3333]

Ok - i would try www.bmwland.co.uk and search the archives. It could be an air lock, these cars can be pretty frustrating to bleed properly if the coolant has been changed.

I dont think you have much to worry about though, the cooling systems are the weak spots on these cars, but you have the opposite problem, if it over heats panic, otherwise i think it will be something simple to sort.

[dumphus65]

nice one, thanks for your help, i can sleep tonight better than last night lol