QuestionI have checked fluid levels, the coolant reservoir tank and ensured I have no coolant leaks, but my car is still overheating. I noticed that the water temp guage is working, but the fan never kicks on when the car gets hot. I checked the fuse and now I'm not sure what to do. ??? Thank you, Troy
AnswerHow quickly, how frequently, and under what conditions does it overheat? It could be anything from a bubble in the coolant system, to a bad cooling fan, to a bad water pump, to a blown head gasket.
Was the coolant significantly low recently/before this started? BMW's are famous for having to be "burped" to get the air out of them. A large bubble can build up and prevent the coolant from flowing. Do a web search on burping your coolant system to see how best to do it.
Your electrical cooling fan may be bad. Try applying 12V across the leads if you have the capability. If it runs, it's possible your temperature sensor (that tells the fan to run) may be bad.
If the engine is running hot, check the radiator. If the radiator is cool (DON'T OPEN THE FILL!), your thermostat may be stuck open, or your water pump may be shot.
If all systems are fine, and you get overheating, you may have a blown head gasket. This can usually be tested for ~$50 at a Firestone or some other auto repair places. Call around.
As you have probably recognized, there are a multitude of things that can cause overheating. Unless you have the tools and ability to check it out, I'd recommend taking it to a dealer or a skilled BMW mechanic.
