e36 overheating

Unknown member · Apr 30, 2008

i am new to this and its my first posting so please dont bite the head of me if i sat anything incorrect

I have a 1992 e36 bmw 320i it was a fab car but i hadnt been using it so about a year ago i loaned it to a friend and of course it overheated.
so i aprked the car for a year the other day i went to use it and
whatever he did to it there was a screw in the top of the radiator that he broke and the water started bubbling out of it so he replaced the screw with a diy job and it seemed to solve the problem of the water bubbleing out but now when u let the car idle about 20mins later it overheats and same if you drive it.
i checked the oil and water for signs of white sludge and there is none but this car wouldnt have travelled ten miles since the first sign of overheating.
so basically whats the first thing i should check or will i presume straight away its the head gasket and go try fix that.
any suggestions welcome as now we have the fine weather and long evening so i am going to try some diy and see can i fix myself and help pass the long evening s

btw def not mechanically minded but will give it a try
any help appreciated
vinny

keith-b · Apr 30, 2008

have same problem so far i have changed rad termo fan and doing the water pump the weekend

coupe323i · Apr 30, 2008

replace thermostat and water pump refill with water/coolant then bleed air out of system and see how you go

LarryK · May 1, 2008

Firstly, is the fan working? If the fan is working, then i'd make sure there is no air in the cooling system.

If it overheated, there is a good chance that she spit water out, and could be an airlock in the cooling system. Take out the little plastic screw in top of the radiator, and fill the water bottle slowly until it comes out the hole that the screw was in.

If it is still overheating, then your going to be looking at the thermostat, and possibly the waterpump.

Failing all the above, get a pressure test done on the cooling system and pray that its not your head gasket

KenM · May 1, 2008

Totally agree with Larry.... things in order I'd check: Its also in order of cost

Air Lock
Thermostat
Water Pump
Head Gasket

modm3 · May 1, 2008

You should have hot water either side of your water pump, if one side is cold....there's your problem. Thermostats tend to fail in the open position, but not unheard of to fail closed.

keith-b · May 3, 2008

mine stuck open then few days later stuck closest

Nidgeweasel · May 3, 2008

First off, go and get a new plug/screw for the radiator that was damaged/lost, replace it and ensure that that's ok before going further

e36 overheating

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