water/coolant boiling on my 325 cab

[OZY]

not sure what is happening with my car but Im in desperate need of help.
Every day I start my car but Ive not drove it around yet as I havent finished putting in my interior.
Anyway, yesterday I done the same as I usually dp, started the car just to make sure the battery dont die. As I was sitting in the car remember it was raining last night. I seen smoke comming from the engine - thats when I thought, oh crap my engine is F***D.
So I quickly turned off the ignition and opened the bonet.
When I had a look at the water - it was bubbling really badly & it was stream not smoke. So I opened the lid (and burnt my hand) All the water come sizzling out.
Has this ever happened to anyone? On the computer the coolant light is on.
I dont know what to say as Ive only drove the car about 3 times.
Once when I brought it, second time to the garage where I got the bodywork done and had a complete respray. I actually noticed the coolant light when it was at the garage so I filled it up there. And the third time was back to my drive.
Sorry to give a sob story guys, but its my first E30 and carnt wait to get it on road and after last night I dont have a lue what to do.
Any help or advise would be great

Kind Regards

[Ziggy]

When you filled the cooling system, did you bleed it?

[abelai]

Check the thermostat first, it might just be stuck closed. Also what engine is this?

[OZY]

nope?

[OZY]

its a 325i if that helps?

[mrLEE30]

When you filled the cooling system, did you bleed it?

nope?

so bleed it!!!

with heater on full heat inside the car, fill bottle with coolant, start engine and let it run for a few mins then open the bleed screw witch is located on top of the thermostat, air will escape. allow it to all escape unitl water comes out. close it run the car a few mins and repeat.

once no more air comes out then should be bled, but what has happend to your head is a differnt story, they dont like overheating!

mrlee

[Ilkorin]

Bubbling? is this in the expansion tank?

I'm not very clued up about how it works on an M20 lump, but if it's bubbling with the cap on, the system isn't pressurised - and confirmation of this comes from where you say you saw steam coming out from the engine bay.

I'd say you need to work out where this coolant leak is - any idea where exactly the steam was coming from?

A bit of good news I guess - there's not much to the cooling system on these engines, so it won't be too hard to narrow down.

[OZY]

Sorry, the steam was comming from where I put in the coolant. and the cap was on tight. will try the bleeding - sorry but where is the thermostat?
But why is the coolant light on the computer? or is my commputer not working right?

[Ilkorin]

Wasn't there a recall for the expansion tank cap because it wouldn't hold pressure? (or is that just M40?)

[leeparkes]

there was a recall on M20s for the expansion cap
if it says 140 under the cap your fine!
where abouts in brum are you?

[v_nitro]

Sounds like exhaust in the cooling system, maybe the head gasket?

[Rav335uk]

Yea there was a recall on the m20 as i had mine done under that recall

[leeparkes]

where was the needle on the temp gauge when it was bubbling?

[murran]

the coolant cap is there to lightly keep pressure in the system and stop coolant escaping etc. a healthy system (inc visc. fan) shouldnt over heat and boil over even with the cap off........ mine doesnt!

pull the thermostat out and do the kettle check. before the kettle boils it should open (87degrees on a 325i i think) if its ok then put it back in, fill it up, start it up, bleed it up at both the 8mm screw on the thermostat housing and the top hose going thru the baulkhead to the heater. once warmed up heater inside hot thermostat open (feel the bottom hose to the rad is hot) check the viscous fan is working by listening to it when you rev the car up, should be a noticeable fan noise or do the "try to stop it with a roll of newspaper test"

think about it..... boiling point is 100 degrees, thermostat opens at 87.... youve got 13 there to play with..... if the system cant regulate itself without boiling over inbetween, even with the cap off at idle, then theres something wrong before you even start driving it.........

[Brianmoooore]

The thermostat may open at 87 degrees, but the temperature of the coolant closest to the combustion chambers will probably exceed 100 degree, especially shortly after the engine is stopped, and, if the system is depressurised, boiling is quite normal.

[pnd]

if the car is overheating at stationary then it may be the viscous coupling that has failed Check the fan is cutting in if its a 325 i have a new viscous coupling for sale for £20 and am close to you. pm me if you want it.

[liquid079]

I'd check the thin pipe that goes from the top of the Radiator to the coolant tank. If this gets blocks it can create the symptoms that you've described.

A simple task to check.

[nm1]

the exact same thing happend my 325 recently and i discovered after changing the thermostat and water pump the problem was still there.the  head cracked due to my waterpump being faulty  so i ended up buying a seconhand engine of a zoner here, as my engine had big miles on her and a reconditioned head, thought i may aswell put a new engine in her, hope your car doesnt have the same problem as mine

[Morat]

1. Bleed it
2. check for leaks
3. Check viscous fan (will a rolled up newspaper stop the fan spinning once the temp is over half way?)
4. Report back.

I'm sure we'll be able to help you if you follow the steps.
Best of luck!

[OZY]

Will give them a try in the morning Morat.
Nice one for the advice guys.
Will let you know how I get on
To be honest - I dont have a clue what is going on with it
One mate of mine (who is not a makanik, but fixes ccar in his spare time) looked at the car & said my head gasket is going & the exhaust gasket needs replacing... But the guy I brought it off said the engine has been reconditioned and the head has been replaced. He said to me his gona get the guy to come have a look at it who done the work on Monday.
I dont think the guy I brought it off would lie to me but if he his ........... (you know what I mean) + his NOT a zoner so it does make me worry a little.
Im not sure what to do to be honest.
Does anybody know someone near Birmingham that knows what they are talking about when it comes to E30s that I could take it to to get another opinion
Any other comments - thnx in advance

[leeparkes]

Does anybody know someone near Birmingham that knows what they are talking about when it comes to E30s

where abouts in brum are you?

[OZY]

Afternoon guys,
I bleeded the air out and it seems to be okay as far as I can tell?

I still need to get it checked out by someone to be on the safe side
Leeparkes - Im in Erdington

[Rav335uk]

Where abouts in erdington, as a can pop round on wednesday daytime if you still need help ozy

[CG_Maintenance]

Also check that it has a thermostat in it
if it doesnt it will boil over

[OZY]

Just like to give a special thanks to Rav335uk for comming to look at my car.
Much appreciated - Like I say - you can always count on a zoner for help!

[Rav335uk]

No probs ozy, but like i told your brother, bottom hose is not getting hot, so looks like its your thermostat thats buggered.