Water Problem

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:18 pm

Hello there

DonÃƒ”š't know how big of a problem this is but I donÃƒ”š't like it

Was out checking the oil and stuff and my car (1989 325i sport) today and I opened the water bottle for the radiator and found this brown paste inside.

http://www.teamlsm.com/staff/jonny/waterbottle.jpg

Not the best photo but would anyone know whatÃƒ”š's going on?

Cheers

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:54 pm

try flushing the system and putting fresh anti-freeze in,looks like it hasn't been flushed for a good while.and its a build up of crud in the system

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:54 pm

hi dude!

from the looks of it, just appears to be corrosion carried in the coolant.

I'd advise flushing the cooling system out (possibly remove and clean the hoses) and washing out the radiator.

then connect it all back up and fill it carefully, giving time for the level to settle in between adding fluid.

once filled, run the car with the heater on full (HOT AND 4 on the fan) and bleed the system using the bleed nipple on the front of the engine.

Once all you have coming out the bleed nipple is coolant, tighten it back up and let the car get up to temp (switch off heater & close bonnet).

If it gets to about 1/2 way on the temp gague and stays there, with the fan kicking in then jobsagoodun

Might as well do the usual 'head gasket' checks too, whilst your out there.

1. Check the oil filler cap for mayo (whiteish deposit made by water and oil mixing)
2.Check the water tank for oil in the tank.
3. car should take about 10-15 mins to get up to operating temp-If it climbs quicker than that, and continues to emit steam from the exhaust at operating temp, then you may have trouble.
4.Watch the coolant compsumption-if it uses a noticeable amount regularly, could be the head or the gasket.

good luck

320Touring

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:54 pm

cheers for the info people

i'll give her a good flush out at the weekend

thanks again

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:04 pm

east neil!

blew me away with that info-mercial there bruvs!

so how do i drop out all the old coolant and flush the system? as this wouldnt be a bad idea, now its getting warmer

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:16 pm

disconnect the bottom radiator hose and drain it-simple as that!

can flush the radiator with a hose and clean water (dont use a pressure washer or you could damage the core (Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£))

this reminds me-i'll need to do mine soon!

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:20 pm

sweeet..

right then, drop the hose, drain, run the hose into the coolant bottle a good 5 mins solid, then let drain...now should i run coolant in and let it begin to run out before i do it up or just lock the pipe on and fill, letting it rest for an hour to let any bubles float out?

and i know ill find it but where is the bleed nip?

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:32 pm

may be a plan with letting the coolant through before reconnecting! can drain it from the drain plug on the radiator too-if fitted (on bottom of rad in middle)

easy with the hose now, no 'Backdraft Heroics'

nice and steady gets it clean and leaves it in 1 piece

Id fill it in stages putting the coolant in first, and give it time to settle in between, then add the water

bleed nipple should be at front of engine on the thermostat housing, where top hose (Left hand side facing forward) from rad comes into block. ITS THE BOLT ON THE TOP

there ya go!

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:46 pm

wicked bruvs, if i had a minute to reply to this, i would have thanked u sooner...msn is going off the wall on me

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:35 pm

Did u wash ur hands after having a dump? lol

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:17 pm

mrmean wrote:Did u wash ur hands after having a dump? lol

lol

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:37 pm

JonnyBravo wrote:
mrmean wrote:Did u wash ur hands after having a dump? lol
lol

eerrrrr !

Just to add,that you might have to remove the thermostat to flush the engine properly as it will be closed,or at least thats how it is on my M30 ?

I think you can flush your heater matrix out as well if you remove both heater pipes at the bulk head,turn the heater on full heat and put the ignition on so the heater valve opens ?

Post Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:22 am

good pointers Andy- will see if they apply to the m20 this weekend!

I hate thermostats!they have a habit of doing stuff you dont want

I'd actually advocate taking all the hoses off one at a time and giving them a good clean as just skooshing a hose through may not shift the harder crud.