QuestionMy wife was driving our 88 325i today and she noticed the check engine light come on, and that the temp gauge was near red. she pulled over and phoned me. I said to check the reservior, it was full, check temp of rad, hot, check pipes, all hot. someone else came by and told her that she should leave it running with the heat on full, she did that but the temp went up to red... she shut it down and I headed up there in my tow truck (convenient i know). Everything looked ok but really hot, except one pipe coming from the lower passenger side of the rad (the return hose I guess?) which was cold. I let it cool down for a bit and then tried to start it, nothing happened. we had lots of power, but nothing when you turn the key, the dash lights dimmed a bit but no other sound from the starter. Is there some kind of shutoff that needs to be reset, or is the motor pooched? I had the water pump and hoses replaced when the timing belt broke last year, I don't think the thermostat though.
funny thing is that we were supposed to of traded this in on a new car 2 weeks ago, but student loans credit ratings got in the way. what can you suggest?
thanks
Answersounds like the original problem was a clogged radiator. The lights dimming implies the starter is getting power and is attempting to engauge. Try jumpstarting it, if this doesn't work, have the starter tested, if it's good, get a huge wrench and attempt to turn over the engine manualy, if it doesn't go, the car was ran for way too long in the red (about 1-2 minutes in the red will fuck it up bad).
The fact that the timing belt broke puzzles me a little. the pistons will hit the valves and destroy the engine as soon as the belt brakes, so with that in mind, it's possible the mechanic lied and never replaced it or the pump, if thats the case the pump could be the problem (other than the problem where the engine may be siezed).
-cheers
