newbie with coolant problem plz help

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
durtyE30
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:56 pm

hi guys
recently my 318i overheated and steaming hot water came through the side of the centre console and filled the passenger footwell.
i disconected the hoses at the bulkhead & bypassed the heater matrix. all has been fine for the past two weeks then yesterday the temp sender went of the scale and a hose split at the rear of the engine.
we replace the hose and all was fine until 5 mile down the road the temp sender went off the scale again & upon pulling over & popping the bonnet i found that the hose which is connected to the bottom of the radiator and engine block had snapped at the end connected to the engine block at the centre of the plastic coolant rail.
has anyone had this problem & how will i go around fixing it?

any help would be much appreciated
thanks scott
jbh
Hartge Crew
Posts: 3963
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: denny

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:59 pm

hi Scott to me it sounds like you have a cylinder head problem and your coolant is being pressurised which in turn is blowing the weakest part it can find.
snakebrain
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3685
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 1:16 pm

+1

That's not just a cooling problem..
daimlerman
**BANNED**
Posts: 15968
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Grumpy Old Man

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:39 pm

Only three places in a cooling system that can cause blockages;
Radiator
Waterpump
Thermostat
Youth is wasted on the young.
Nay
Channel Island Crew
Channel Island Crew
Posts: 3988
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:23 pm

From my experience, thermostat problems will slowly continue to overheat at a more consistant rate. Cylinder head problems will warm up, then almost instantly push the needle off the scale.
Image

Uni is killing the project.
User avatar
durtyE30
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:27 pm

thanks guys
gonna get her in the garage saturday & will report back
much appreciated scott.
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:52 pm

daimlerman wrote:Only three places in a cooling system that can cause blockages;
Radiator
Waterpump
Thermostat
I see your still full of shit! :roll:
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49359
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:20 pm

Check that the coolant bottle pressure cap has been changed under the '97 recall!
User avatar
bimanut
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1194
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Warrington

Post Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:25 am

I had a similar thing happen to me whilst driving down the motorway and filled the screen with a blanket of white steam! :eek:

Turned out it was what brian said,had the rad cap changed fitted a new matrix and all was then well.
Image
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Post Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:40 pm

lack of servicing causes a coolant blockage.

Willnz bit harsh on the ban me thinks for this 8O