Have I bought a lemon- New e30 heating probs

[Spc1953]

Hi, got an 1986 325i with 125k on the clock, but it seems to be overheating.

When driving, temp gauge reports all is fine (half way) but often when I get out of the car the bonnet seems very hot. Last week, Check light panel came on saying coolant. So, I topped up. Then the check light came back on after a fairly short trip. Now, I have a real old school yellowed expansion tank saying "kaltbefullstand" and an arrow which actually seems very high on the tank. In the months I've had the car, it's never ever been at that line, so thought ok I'm not topping it up enough, so I decided to put my coolant at that arrow level.

Then ... Drove my car literally ten metres and the thing died. Kaput, Lights. Ignition. Radio. Steering wheel locked so I couldn't even steer it away from the road we were blocking! Couldn't turn key at all, no clicks just locked, nothing. Sat there wondering what the hell we were gonna do with the car.

Then ten mins later, the thing lets me start it up again, the key turns, lights come back on. I drove it around the block and put it back in my garage but then realised it was leaking coolant, it was all in the road on my drive. The coolant seemed to be leaking out of (sorry I don't know what this is) the other black cap with a wire coming out of it) is this the sensor? Then dripping from there onto the floor.




I've had a look at the oil- no mayonnaise, coolant clear, the coolant doesn't seem to be bubbling and as far as I could see in the dark, no steam.

Heater blows hot- even when the temp dial is still in the blue. Tried the newspaper/fan trick. Fan, even without the temp gauge at 1/4 yet, can't be stopped with rolled up newspaper.

Anyone got any ideas or experienced similar?

I'm worried because I bought the car only 4 months ago, and I'm worried there's something up with it that the owner neglected to tell me (wasn't entirely honest about one or two things with the car it seems.) if anyone has any ideas of what it could be id be grateful. [/img]

[Motorhole]

Looks like it's missing a fan cowling? That's going to significantly diminish the effectiveness of the fan. Rad looks pretty chewed up too. There appears to be evidence of long term staining from that coolant level sensor. Did you fill to the cold mark or the hot mark? If the latter, excess coolant should be ejected out the overflow not the level sensor.

Few things to check.
1) that the expansion tank cap is the correct pressure (1.4 bar iirc) and is working correctly.
2) that the radiator isn't leaking
3) that the expansion tank overflow isn't blocked
4) that the expansion tank/level sensor cap aren't cracked

Once all is good there source a fan cowling tben drain and flush the system, replacing with fresh coolant. Follow the wiki guide to avoid airlocks. Hopefully all will then be well!

[Spc1953]

Hi, thanks for your reply: as far as I can see, there is one level- the words kaltbefullstand then a single arrow. I filled it up to the level indicated by the arrow. That's what's always confused me about this tank. When I googled, someone else was told fill it up cold to the arrow. Is this correct?

These caps were a recall, I remember reading. Should the correct bar cap have any identifying marks on it? Not sure what bar this is, but I think it's probably worth getting a new one.

Could I fit a cowling myself with minimal mechanic skills?

Re: my radiator. How bad does it look to you? What should be the cost of fitting a new one? Thanks for your help, first e30 and learning all the time!

[Spc1953]

Sorry- another question- when this coolant overflowed, why did the car die, ignition, electrics, steering, the lot?

[Motorhole]

Hi, thanks for your reply: as far as I can see, there is one level- the words kaltbefullstand then a single arrow. I filled it up to the level indicated by the arrow. That's what's always confused me about this tank. When I googled, someone else was told fill it up cold to the arrow. Is this correct?

These caps were a recall, I remember reading. Should the correct bar cap have any identifying marks on it? Not sure what bar this is, but I think it's probably worth getting a new one.

Could I fit a cowling myself with minimal mechanic skills?

Re: my radiator. How bad does it look to you? What should be the cost of fitting a new one? Thanks for your help, first e30 and learning all the time!

Yeah, that translates as roughly "cold fill level" so in theory, that's where it should be filled to. In reality, it's a bit of a guide. It'll find its on level if left to its own devices which might be up to a cm or so below the line.

Fitting a cowling shouldn't be too hard provided you have all the right fittings etc. Everything can be sourced from a BMW dealer (try Cotswold's on here) but you might save some cash with a second hand shroud.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=17_0027

I guess a new good quality rad would be about £70 or £80? Again, not too hard to fit for a competent DIYer. Getting all the air out of the system can be a pain, just requires patience and following instructions.

Might be worth getting the system pressure tested as hairline cracks are likely not to be visible to the naked eye - both on the rad and the expansion tank.

Edit: in terms of what killed the car? I wonder if the dizzy/coil got a soaking.

[pianist]

Steering locked and no lights or radio? Sounds like somehow ignition key undid it self!? Never seen it happen before. You mention that you could not turn the key as well, did you rock the steering weel at the same time as turning key? You have to move the steering a little so it releases the pressure on the lock so you can turn the key easier.

[Gavt]

Did the steering lock or just go heavey due to no power assistance from the pump