318is steaming?

[Tombo]

ok so ive got a 1992 318is with around 67k on the clock. For a few days now the water has started to disappear. Yesterday after driving home for about 15 mins steam started coming out the bonnet, i opened it up and it seemed to be coming up from near the bulk head. Im not sure if this car has had the profile thing done in its life. Can anyone give me some ideas. Thanks Tom

[sparkyE30]

might just be 1 of the coolent hoses for the heater matrix that has burst.they run into the bulk head from the back of the engine

[Grrrmachine]

Check the carpet in the passenger footwell for dampness to start with; this is where the hoses to the heater matrix come through the bulkhead and turn into plastic pipes, which do crack from time to time.

If it's all dry, open the bonnet and look down at the bulkhead to find the hoses sparky is talking about. .Once you've found them, get the engine warmed up and start looking for where the steam is escaping from.

Also, check the oil cap for mayonnaise to ensure the coolant isn't leaking into the oil; a sign of a much more serious failure.

[Brianmoooore]

Hose from the back of the head to the bottom heater stub pipe lives in a harsh environment and is largely hidden from view, so is often neglected.

[Tombo]

Thanks lads
I'll have a good look, around there. there was far too much steam to see where it was comimg from yeserday. No coolent mixed with the oil though so thats a kind of good sign i hope.

[Tombo]

brianmooore you were right about the hose from the head. All done now running fine.
Thanks