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How do i tell if the problem with the car overheating is the thermostat or the water pump?
Because there is no heat i assumed the thermostat was the problem.If the water pump is bad will the heat still work?
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More than likely the thermostat is bad. When the engine has reached operating temperature, feel the cooling hoses on each side of the thermostat, but be careful not to get burned or get caught in the fan. The temperatures should be similar. If not, the thermostat is not opening causing the overheat. The waterpump could also be bad because BMW used pumps with plastic impellers that used to deteriorate and cause overheating. They went to a metal impeller and then back to a plastic one. If you have high mileage, I suggest you check it. If you are still overheating after replacing the thermostat, the pump is the most likely culprit
The mileage on the bmw is 84,000and some change,but being a japanese car owner for so long i thought that to be fair to low miles.why is the antifreeze coming right out of the lil piece under the reservoir as soon as i poor it in,is there too much,because i don't see any in the reservoir even after i put some in.I changed the thermostat,and again as i was pooring in the antifreeze it was dripping from right under the reservoir,whats that mean?after i changed the antifreeze it seemed the air from the heater was hot but then it cooled.
Answer -
The resevoir is probably cracked. Look around where you noticed the antifreeze leaking and chances are you'll find a hole or a hairline crack in the plastic resevoir.Also double check all hoses and clamps for the cooling system. On this particular car, you will need to replace the radiator, as the resevoir is not a separate part. If you need anymore help, just let me know
Paul, was wondering ,why is there not a service manual for this year BMW?
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Check at your local bookstore or auto parts store, if they can't find one then there probably wasn't one ever published. The most common publishers are Haynes, Clymer, and Chiltons
Paul, One problem with my car was the expansion tank needed to be replaced and also the level sensor,but the car is still over heating.The heat works now and those parts were bad but the car is still over heating.The service person says he suspects a blown head gasket,but a friend of mine says he thinks it's the fan clutch. how would i check that?
AnswerDid you recheck the coolant level? Was it ok? Before we get to a head gasket(expensive) do you see white smoke from the exhaust all the time, even on a hot day? If so, then the head gasket is probably blown. Also, remove the oil dipstick, does the oil look white, like a milkshake?, when you drained the coolant, did you notice oil in it? these are signs of a leaking head gasket. But before you do that, the fan clutch should spin with some resistance, a lot of times when they go bad, they spin very easily and don't provide and cooling. Does your car have an electric fan? some had an electric and mechanical fan setup. If you also have an electrical fan, make sure that it is coming on. The other problem could be the waterpump like I said earlier. Did you replace it? If it goes bad, it won't circulate the coolant through the system so it can be cooled at the radiator. Also, how badly did the car overheat? did you continue to run the engine after overheating or did you shut it off right away? get back to me.
