BMW: BMW 328 i - overheating, coolant levels, expansion tank

Question
HI Josh

I wil send you the picture but i think that the upperhose may have to be replaced. I plugged the hole on the hose and drove the car for 20 minutes today and the Tenperature gage went up to the red and after a few minutes whent down. It did that a couple of times as I made my way back home. How do I find out if there is any other problems other than the leak on the hose. Last week the warning light was for the Radiator and now is for the temperature warning light that is going on. Could the water pump have gone south? How do I check if this is the problem?

Thanks

FLavio


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Followup To
Question -
josh
I stated incorrectly the hole is not in the in coolante expansion tank, the whole is acctually on the upper hose that comes out of the radiator (v shaped and turns left). I took a picture for you to look at it. how can i send it to you? The main question that i have is - if i fix the whole will I endanger the system - in case that the whole and the leak are meant as a safeguard to the whole system.

Thanks

Flavio

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Followup To
Question -
I own a 99 328 i and the coolant light came on on my way home I continued to drive for another 10 miles. The car never overheated. After I stoped and replaced the coolant the warning light came on again I checked and saw that on top of the coolant espansion tank there is a very small whole and the coolant is leaking through it. This is a perfectly round whole the size of a pin head. Is this a safety feature? how can I fix the problem?
This problem happed two days after I got the car back from non related repairs from the dealership. Is this a coincidence or should they have checked coolant levels as a standard procedure?
Answer -
Flavio,
 I recently purchased a '99 328is (2-door), I am still learning about this car, but I have never noticed a pin hole in the top of the expansion tank though.  I will check tonight and get back with you on it.  Sounds like you have developed small hole from pressure.

 I will get back with you soon
 Josh  
Answer -
Flavio sorry for the late reply, I was out of town for the holidays.

 You can send the picture to JSF252@hotmail.com  I will take a look at it and get right back with you.

 Thanks,
 Josh

Answer
Go ahead and send the pics, but remember... NEVER drive the car if the temp gets in the red.  You should watch that gauge like a hawk and if it gets to 3/4 or 75% you should stop and pull over.  If you let it run in the red-zone it will over heat the engine and cause components to warp beyond repair.  I think that stopping for a few minutes on the side of the road to let the car cool down is worth more than paying thousands of dollars for an engine rebuild, and I'm sure you would agree.
 Be very careful and only drive it if you have to before you get this fixed.  If you have any doubts take it to a radiator/auto shop and have them look at it.  I should not be that expensive to fix coolant related issues.
 If you have driven the car with little/no coolant then it is possible that the waterpump is ruined.  If you have 100k miles on the pump then it is probably time to change it anyways.
 Send those pics and I will let you know what I think.
 Thanks again...
 Josh