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overheating prob please help
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:16 pm
by luke4073
right i recently changed the engine in my car to a 318i but im having over heating probs and come to a dead end with diagnosing the problem ive changed the rad ,thermostat ,water pump and fan to mke no difference
the prob bein whilst doin town driving or sittin in traffic the temp gauge hits the red every time but on long drives crusin at 60-70 its fine im stuck dont no wot else to try please help
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:32 pm
by Bally
Hi mate , this is not uncommon if traveling on motorway the air rushing past engine is helping to cool it , when stationary in traffic if everything is not ok it will overheat. are you loosing any water (ie topping up the water), is the exhaust smokier (white) than before you had the problem, have you checked to see if oil and water are mixing (take oil cap off is it gone like brown mayo) . also when running feel the top and bottom hose , once engine is warm and thermo opens both top and bottom hose should be hot. head gasket is a common issue on these (as is a cracked head )
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:33 pm
by Bally
also try doing search for overheating under technical should gets lots of info from that
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 pm
by Brianmoooore
These are typical symptoms of a dud viscous fan coupling.
You say that you've changed the fan. Did this include the coupling? New or used?
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:23 pm
by MrAsp
Same problem on my '84 320i.
I think I have to replace viscous fan coupling: when engine is hot, fan turns easily as with cold engine.

Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:31 am
by gazza
also possibility of a air lock ...as it keeps overheating and its been in bits a few times has it been bled ...ie does the heater blow hot or cold
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:00 pm
by Morat
luke4073 wrote:right i recently changed the engine in my car to a 318i but im having over heating probs and come to a dead end with diagnosing the problem ive changed the rad ,thermostat ,water pump and fan to mke no difference
the prob bein whilst doin town driving or sittin in traffic the temp gauge hits the red every time but on long drives crusin at 60-70 its fine im stuck dont no wot else to try please help
Do the famous newpaper test. Take the car for a spin to the cornershop. Buy a copy of "Asian babes" or "Thai Ladyboys" and then park up at home with the engine on. As soon as the temp gauge goes above halfway, roll up your mag of choice and poke it into the spinning fan blades - gently. If you are surrounded by a shower of pornographic confetti - congrats your viscous coupling is functioning just fine.
If not, then you need to buy/fit a new one. Go inside and console yourself.
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:41 pm
by luke4073
hi thanks for replys i have changed the viscous fan coupling to no change head gasge is fine only changed it a few months ago
all hoses get hot is the right or not
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:11 pm
by DHFiS
buy the mags anyway

Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:35 pm
by Brianmoooore
luke4073 wrote:hi thanks for replys i have changed the viscous fan coupling
You still haven't answered the question I asked. New or used?
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:14 pm
by luke4073
sorry it is a new one
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:29 pm
by Morat
does your heater blow hot air when you ask it to?
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:24 pm
by spp320i
where did you get the new viscous from? I got one from GSF a while ago that was faulty. If your thermytwat is working properly, both top and bottom hoses should get hot, and if they do then this should ensure the viscous operates properly. It does sound like a dud viscous to me.
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:10 pm
by Brianmoooore
If viscous fan couplings are stored flat on their side, instead of upright, like they sit in the car, they will fail.
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:13 pm
by luke4073
i got my viscos from gsf havent had a chance to check yet will do at weekend
and yeah my heater blows hot when i ask it to
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:34 pm
by spp320i
The one I've had from GSF was stored on its side, and was faulty. As Brian says, this can cause them to fail. As you've got hot air, the system's bled fine, so the viscous is bound to be the cause.
Good luck!
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:38 pm
by MrAsp
Let me post a link guys:
How to rehab fan clutch=====>
http://members.rennlist.com/blueshark/page11.html
I think it would be interesting.
EDIT:
what do you mean with "GSF"?
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:46 pm
by Nelly
ECP thermostats have a habit of failing half openish - remove a check it over / cold thermo+hot water test.
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:01 pm
by luke4073
by GSF we mrean german swedish and french car parts it a part compay
Re: overheating prob please help
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:21 pm
by MrAsp
luke4073 wrote:
by GSF we mrean german swedish and french car parts it a part compay
Thanks!
