aimlesslee44 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2006 1997 323i E36. I drained the coolant from the radiator via blue plug and top and bottom hoses, flushed radiator (not the engine block) and refilled via the reservoir with new coolant (50/50). It didn't appear to take as much as drained out howver have monitored temp gauge and its fine and reservoir level and its fine. Could I have an air lock? Would the temp gauge show this or is the sensor at the radiator only? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 35 Report post Posted August 22, 2006 (edited) You have to bleed the system. On e30's there is a bleed valve on top of the thermostat housing. Yuo loosen the bolt (don't need to undo it totally) and pour coolant in while the engine is running, when water comes out the valve, tighten it and you're done. I image e36 have something similar. Edited August 22, 2006 by bravomikewhiskey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aimlesslee44 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks Bravo, I loosened the bleed valve but not until most of the coolant had been replaced, massaged the hoses and got quite a few bubbles out. Does the temp gauge read from the block or just the radiator? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silver Fox 43 Report post Posted August 22, 2006 When bleeding the system, make sure the car is up to operating temp, so as the thermostat is open, and yes if you have an air block you will get a rapid overheating of the engine as the water isn't there to cool it, been there myself. Another way to check is to look in the radiator with the engine running, being very careful, and you should see movement in the water level, without any bubbling or chucking, this shows that the water is flowing. With my E30, I ended up having to put the garden hose up the small bottom return hose and forced water thru to get rid of my air block. If you don't have overheating after 10 or 15 mins of running I would doubt you had a blockage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
325GRANT 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2006 sorry this is another E30 answer. when we installed the link and fired the car up it, it was fine at idle. after about 5 mins driving it was very hot. i put the heater on to vent some excess heat and noticed it was cold when we gt it back home and after about an hour of trying to bleed it, a friend told me to jack the front of the car up and bleed it. this allowed the air that was trapped in the heater set up to push through. something else to try anyway hope it helps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted August 23, 2006 Thanks Bravo, I loosened the bleed valve but not until most of the coolant had been replaced, massaged the hoses and got quite a few bubbles out. Does the temp gauge read from the block or just the radiator? Temp gauge sender reads off the engine - usually near the thermostat, to bleed I normally only 3/4 fill the system then run until up to temp - thermostat opens (bleed screw open if there is one) by this time air will have risen to the top & released, then just a matter of filling to correct level. Recheck when cold. N.B. Cant always rely on temp guage to show high with an airlock even if engine overheats - if there is air sitting behind the sender it will not read correctly - just like a temp guage will not read high if the engine has lost all it's coolant - no coolant to measure temp of. Cheers Grant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aimlesslee44 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2006 Thanks guys, it doesn't appear as if theres an airlock BUT whats happened now, only since I flushed the radiator (which I'm fast starting to wish I'd never touched) is that the heater cuts in and out at random regardless of whether its on auto or manual, the whole display goes out then lights up and goes hard out etc etc. Could this be just a coincidental electrical fault or have I muffed something with the radiator flush etc???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted August 28, 2006 Thanks guys, it doesn't appear as if theres an airlock BUT whats happened now, only since I flushed the radiator (which I'm fast starting to wish I'd never touched) is that the heater cuts in and out at random regardless of whether its on auto or manual, the whole display goes out then lights up and goes hard out etc etc. Could this be just a coincidental electrical fault or have I muffed something with the radiator flush etc???? Hi, Can't imagine it being cooling system related - did you disturb any wiring (earths etc) when servicing the cooling system? Otherwise I would suspect it being coincidental. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
