Overheating issue

[beemer_twins]

Hello and good evenin to all the members.

I have a e36 318i convertible 1996 with m43 engine Auto.

Right last i was sat in the car and started it, it was started for 45mins and i noticed the red light came up on the temperature dial so i turned the car off, i opened the bonnet and open the rad cap and water sprayed slightly, i just wanted to see if it had compression, i started the car again within 2 mins and the temperature was just inbetween half and max, as soon as i drove off the temperature went down to half and stayed there until i got home.

i parked up and left it over night, anyway i checked it as i got in from work today and the collant was very low so i topped it up with water for now, but i had the car running for about 20 mins again and it was upto half temperature and it stayed there, but the issue thats concerning me is that the return pipe was cold, therefore im thinking that the thermostat has siezed closed.

Can the forum please shine some light on this?:)

[pacerpete]

You will need to pressure test the cooling system to ascertain where the leak is , unless it is obvious.
Possibilities include , radiator,plastic coolant pipes,hoses , waterpump or the dreaded M43 headgasket

[beemer_twins]

I have an idea of were the water leak is ''''''''''the heater matrix ive got everything to fix it, ive noticed its been very sticky on the carpet so i no definetly its the heater matrix or the pipes