overheating prob please help

Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:16 pm

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

Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:32 pm

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 )

Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:33 pm

also try doing search for overheating under technical should gets lots of info from that

Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 pm

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?

Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:23 pm

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.

Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:31 am

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

Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:00 pm

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.

Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:41 pm

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

Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:11 pm

buy the mags anyway

Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:35 pm

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?

Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:14 pm

sorry it is a new one

Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:29 pm

does your heater blow hot air when you ask it to?

Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:24 pm

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.

Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:10 pm

If viscous fan couplings are stored flat on their side, instead of upright, like they sit in the car, they will fail.

Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:13 pm

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

Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:34 pm

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!

Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:38 pm

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"?

Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:46 pm

ECP thermostats have a habit of failing half openish - remove a check it over / cold thermo+hot water test.

Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:01 pm

MrAsp wrote: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"?

by GSF we mrean german swedish and french car parts it a part compay

Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:21 pm

luke4073 wrote:
MrAsp wrote: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"?
by GSF we mrean german swedish and french car parts it a part compay

Thanks!