e46 problem

Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:00 pm

I know it's not a E30, i really wish it was, i never used to have problems with E30's

My Partner has got a w reg (2000) e46 318i 1.9 89,000 miles. The water system seems to be pressuring up and causing the coolent to leak from the radiator cap, spraying the airbox, also when the heating blower is on , it blows steam through the vents inside the car. Ive got oil loss but no visible leaks and no oil on the ground after the car has been parked up. Also when starting the car from cold the oil pump makes a drowning noise and the rockers rattle like there dry for about 10 minutes. Im 95% sure that the oil pump is tired hench the noise and it sounding like its running dry from cold, with the water issue im pretty sure its a head gasket problem. Am i right ? She had the same issue with bmw compact last year, same age, engine and mileage with the coolent problem, but it was over heating, the one she has now, has not yet over heated and we have done some long trips in it and sat in a bit of traffic. Any help would be fantastic. Thankyou.

Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:33 pm

So this would be the M43 engine.

Most common sign of head gasket failure is mayo under the oil cap. Have you got that? Oil loss with no leak would also suggest you're burning it; have you got blue exhaust clouds?

Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:23 pm

No cream on cap or no smoke out of exhaust, it's really baffled me

I've tryed bleeding the rad to see if it's a air lock of something simple. Would have thought it would have over heated by now.

Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:31 pm

The oil has to be going somewhere; best to let the engine idle in a fixed spot for 10 minutes, then check the ground for spots. What sort of rate are you losing oil at?

As for the overpressure; these things have computer-controlled thermostats so either the stat isn't opening or something's not telling it to open. Could also be a gunked up radiator causing it to build up pressure. Best get it hooked up to a diagnostic and see if the stat is flagging up an error.

But if you're not getting mayo in the cap and you're not losing coolant, I wouldn't suspect a head gasket failure at this point.

Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:51 pm

also be a cheap header tank as the caps don,t seal right.i have same car,noise you hear first is the cannister at front drivers side behind rad,mines done that for at least 90,000 so ignore it should go once warm.mine does pressure high always has,take off oil cap when its running,put your hand over the hole,now if it sucks its your cc valve which is why you are drinking oil and can also bugger your cooling.let me know

Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:40 am

Thanks for the help, I'm going to book it into BMW at the weekend and let them sort it. Unless anyone knows of anyone good in the Kent area

Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:38 am

I would be keeping well clear of a main dealer with an old turd like that !

Is the cooling fan working ? head gasket failure is really common on these and usually starts with the gasket weeping at the back of the head . I work on turds like this for a living

and I could have a look at it, but I am west London based.

Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:49 am

don't go near a main dealer as said above rad cap and blocked rad or pipes round the heater can cause probs. E46 cooling systems are shite

Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:46 pm

Hi you could take it to ETA motorsport in west kingsdown

Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:27 pm

pacerpete wrote:I would be keeping well clear of a main dealer with an old turd like that !

Is the cooling fan working ? head gasket failure is really common on these and usually starts with the gasket weeping at the back of the head . I work on turds like this for a living and I could have a look at it, but I am west London based.

How long in general do radiators etc last ?

I had mine replaced because the old one started to 'bow' at the bottom. I replaced in 2008 with a Genuine BMW Radiator in 2008 with my discount at a local garage West4 Autos. This is for a Nov 1999 build 323Ci Coupe. He replaced I think an alternator belt which I bloody did NOT ask him to do well he never asked me first !!!! .... But that does squeal a bit when cold

Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:39 pm

Headgasket would be my bet.

Get a headgasket test done. Any decent garage should be able to do it for you.

Fairly simple engine to work on as long as its not cooked.

Andy

Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:43 pm

Andy325i wrote:Headgasket would be my bet.

Get a headgasket test done. Any decent garage should be able to do it for you.

Fairly simple engine to work on as long as its not cooked.

Andy

My friend who has a 1999 - 2000 328Ci Coupe .... Had his head gasket go .... And he has only done 160k miles.

Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:25 am

All sorted, it was a simple air lock, I've got a slight water leek somewhere, but for a week now it's been ok. Thought I'd re bleed the system before I booked it in, and glad I did

it's been years since I've worked on one of my own cars. I forgot how much Cheaper it is

Thankyou all for your help.

Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:03 am

vinni wrote:All sorted, it was a simple air lock, I've got a slight water leek somewhere, but for a week now it's been ok. Thought I'd re bleed the system before I booked it in, and glad I did it's been years since I've worked on one of my own cars. I forgot how much Cheaper it is Thankyou all for your help.

The 'slight water leak' is how they all start going pear shaped

Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:56 am

Water leak from the back of the head area?

Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:06 pm

I've not found it yet, but I'm guessing its from the o ring where the heater matrix pipes run to, on the back of the head. It's where my last one started leaking from.