Overheating E91 2006 325i

[kNuTz 3]

So we had a wedding to attend over the weekend and it was our first trip in the new E91 325i. Drove like a champ with the exception of hitting roadworks on 20" rims! Jeez it feels like you hit a brick wall.

Anyhow, weekend and wedding went well, got 90-95% of the way back home and got yellow overheating message between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay! The message states something along the lines to "take it easy for a bit to cool down", then the red overheating appears stating "STOP!!!!!".

Pulled over, with the attempts of cooling down the vehicle and crawling, checking the engine bay there was no steam, overflow, dropping of any water and the expansion tank was full. Had no data on my phone to research while waiting but put the issue down to the water pump while waiting for a tow truck. From 'breakdown' to home it was four hours to go 17.4 KM

Car is now at my mechanics awaiting the part through warranty (Protecta), sounds like they are supplying an aftermarket pump due to the known issues with the original/OEM versions. Still going to cost more than my excess, so glad I got warranty.

TLDR:

Car overheated, OEM water pumps are crap, warranties are worth it!

[*Glenn* 854]

Pump and thermostat must be changed and only BMW coolant used at the right mix ratio. There is a special venting procedure to bleed the system and sometimes a scanner has to be used to carry out this procedure to activate the water pump. If not done properly you will be doing it again

[TermiPeteNZ 1318]

Sounds frustrating Ray - glad you got the wty.

[kNuTz 3]

Sure was Pete, all appears to be sorted now. There was absolutely no pressure in water when running the bleed procedure!

Pump is all changed, pressure is back and all running great

[Olaf 3317]

happy endings, Ray!