CrazyLac 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2004 Hi guys I have a 1991 bmw 316i and it runs pretty well except it overheats ALL the time!! Its sweet as on cold days when there isnt much traffic, but as soon as i hit a traffic jam or i have to stop for a long time or crawl (think peak hour auckland traffic) then the temp gauage sky rockets and i have to pull over, open the bonnet and the radiator is sooo hot and steaming away. I have changed the radiator cap and that hasnt helped, also put in coolant stuff... that hasnt worked either, i took it to the local garage and he didnt know what the prob was. Now that summer is coming up im dreading driving anywhere as i know my car will over heat!! Any help would be EXTREMLY appreciated!!! Cheers Steph Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMA 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 Do u constantly have to top up the coolant? If the coolant is pissing everywhere, could be the waterpump Could be a cracked hose if there is a smaller leak could be stuffed cooling fan, thermostat, guage maybe be stuffed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyLac 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 yea well im always topping it up with water like all the time... can anyone recommend a place to get the problem fixed?? Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abby 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 Is it only overheating when your sitting in traffic?? Maybe you need a new viscous clutch (or coupling) which is connected to your fan... cos I know mine is munted as well and if I sit in traffic to long then my car will overheat...however if im in gear and driving then it wont. Im not really to sure about that side of things but it just a suggestion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyLac 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 yea its only in traffic and if im sitting in neutral at lights or what ever for ages... i usually crank the hot heaters and it cools down a bit but its still really hot. thanks for ur suggestions guys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abby 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 well, it sounds like your viscous clutch to me, cos I have that same problem. Im getting a complete new one, and fan, and its costing me about $300 but you can sort out cheaper ways of fixing it. Take it to bella motors and just ask them to have a quick look at it...they should be able to sort it out quick enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyLac 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 cool i will do that, where abouts is Bella Motors?? Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*RJ* 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 If it's an E36 don't leave the problem!! In my car the viscous coupling came loose, the fan hit the back of the radiator tearing it open and needless to see, it got expensive buying a new radiator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grant 4 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 Just take it to a BMW specialist, they'll sort it out easy. If you are near Central Auckland, take it to the BM Workshop on Great North Road, Grey Lynn. They are pretty good. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abby 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 oh yeah, thats a good point if your in central auckland. Its more than likely something small like that. But I wouldn't leave it long or it may get bigger...my broken radiator hose managed to turn into a full transmission swap and all sorts of other things. but should be easy enough to fix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m325i 705 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 BMworkshop, Do it, hey do it. My mums e36 had a heat melt down $1800. bang. Just hope your head isnt cracked Dont ever fill radiator when its hot when engine is off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*sic 1 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 Dont ever fill radiator when its hot when engine is off! yea i might go do this later... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carl 3 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 Duct tape will solve your problem, just tape up every pipe neatly and tape over the radiator cap aswell as over the engine, that'll fix it :thumb: Seriously though, listen to what Abby says, most problems are so generic, so chances are your viscous clutch thingee needs replacing and that'll sort ya out. Then you're plain sailing and can come join us for our mega meet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
