The car is overheating, i cannot fix it.

[BigKriss]

I asked Winfred for some help, he mentioned that the thermostat may not be working properly, I cannot work out why though. If first started when I tried to get my heater working, a few days ago ( http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12092 ) and it happened after this. One of the lines had a bit of coolant coming out (maybe?) when I was mucking around with it.

I bled the system (a lot) to no avail. As soon as I pressurise it and put the main cap back on and take it for a spin, (the coolant temp starts go go past 12 o'clock). I think I have air in the cooling system but I cannot work out why it's staying around. the coolant return line is okay, I blew air though it and air was coming out at the overfill tank. The radiator lines look okay, it started mucking around after I played with the heater valves. Should I take the thermostat out and check it? any help is appreciated. When the temp starts rising it comes back down when I take the radiator cap off and bleed it. When I pressurise it, the problems start again. argh

[632 Regal]

do you have a real BMW stat with the check ball in it? If not drill a small hole and lign it up to the top and then try to bleed it. I dont remember all your specifics on your car.

[Gayle]

I asked Winfred for some help, he mentioned that the thermostat may not be working properly, I cannot work out why though. If first started when I tried to get my heater working, a few days ago ( http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12092 ) and it happened after this. One of the lines had a bit of coolant coming out (maybe?) when I was mucking around with it.

I bled the system (a lot) to no avail. As soon as I pressurise it and put the main cap back on and take it for a spin, (the coolant temp starts go go past 12 o'clock). I think I have air in the cooling system but I cannot work out why it's staying around. the coolant return line is okay, I blew air though it and air was coming out at the overfill tank. The radiator lines look okay, it started mucking around after I played with the heater valves. Should I take the thermostat out and check it? any help is appreciated. When the temp starts rising it comes back down when I take the radiator cap off and bleed it. When I pressurise it, the problems start again. argh


I know it is poor form to just start throwing parts at a problem, but if you are thinking about replacing the thermostat I have a new one you can have for shipping. PO bought it and never got it installed.

Upgraded mechanics for Charlie and these folks won't install parts they can't guarantee. I am still in the armchair mechanic category so it is just cluttering up the house.

I would tell you the brand, but will have to clean house a little to find it. Saw the receipt a few weeks ago an noticed it was ordered from our man, Patrick.

[632 Regal]

Just talked with Kris, he is going to pull the stat and throw it in some boiling water...he alsy says the pumps fukt...whatever that means.

[McWatters]

my car was madd over heating just lately, when i stopped opened up the hood, coolant was spraying everywhere, from the line. the clamp sort of thing that attaches the line had completely busted off, was a great mess. Luckily i was at a marina, so got a new clamp thing and attached it on, works fine now.

cheers

J.McWatters

[BigKriss]

weird stuff these cooling systems. I was going to look at the thermostat, I though damm, some more work for me. With the car off, I filled up the radiator to the top, it took about 4L or 9 pints. Put the top back on and started it up, i didn't bleed it. I took if for an italian tune-up and it's sweet now. no problems at all. i'm still shaking my head, becasue it's been like this for the last 6 days, i was getting worried.

[Paul in NZ]

sheesh it was empty...check around the heater valves for a leak...did you get any coolant level warnings.....did you lose coolant when you messed around with the heater valves,have you since had the heater on????Maybe the heater matrix was empty and all the coolant went there???Are you sure the radiator/coolant tank line is clear?

[BigKriss]

sheesh it was empty...check around the heater valves for a leak...did you get any coolant level warnings.....did you lose coolant when you messed around with the heater valves,have you since had the heater on????Maybe the heater matrix was empty and all the coolant went there???Are you sure the radiator/coolant tank line is clear?

i lost coolant and got the warnings etc when i was mucking around with it Paul. I even drained the radiator. I lost coolant sure. I had the heater on a few times, but the heater doesn't work. i'm sure the coolant return line is clear. it seems to be okay now.

[winfred]

yea it can be a adventure sometimes, the other day i did a m50 525 with overheating problems that had a thermostat that would only open about half way when boiled, and today i did a timing belt/water pump/t-stat on a e30 325i that didn't quite want to burp and the pisser line did flow a little, well it didn't flow enough, after i ran a drill through it all was well


weird stuff these cooling systems. I was going to look at the thermostat, I though damm, some more work for me. With the car off, I filled up the radiator to the top, it took about 4L or 9 pints. Put the top back on and started it up, i didn't bleed it. I took if for an italian tune-up and it's sweet now. no problems at all. i'm still shaking my head, becasue it's been like this for the last 6 days, i was getting worried.

[BigKriss]

actually, checked the car again, there is a coolant leak. damm

[genphreak]

Thermostats are funny fellas. I think a good rule when putting a motor back together is to put it in a saucepan with a 100 degree thermometer, chk it fully opens at the rated temp so you can count it out of any operational problems you encounter afterwards.
Kriss, one word of warning though- boiling a thermostat can wreck it- some have wax or a checmical substance inside them that can come out if they boil. Not sure about ours though.... perhaps these are old ones (I've never boiled one yet as it only takes a minute or two) and I am usually due for a cup of tea by then... :) GP

Kriss- be sure the air does not get back in when sitting overnight. After she pressurises over the next few drives, be sure to shut her off and check the bleeder for air. If you keep finding some, it indicates a small leak. Its a good check, helps you be sure its done right. :) GP

EDIT: And always drill a 2mm hole thru the top of the outer ring. Bleeding is a guessing game without doing so...

[uscharalph]

i lost coolant and got the warnings etc when i was mucking around with it Paul. I even drained the radiator. I lost coolant sure. I had the heater on a few times, but the heater doesn't work. i'm sure the coolant return line is clear. it seems to be okay now.
Hopefully, your heater core isn't the cause of coolant loss. That was my case, so I bypassed it till I can get the time to fix it or the money to have someone else do it.