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Jumbo View Drop Down
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Joined: 23-April-2004
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    Posted: 13-August-2008 at 08:52

I noticed on the way home from work yesterday that my temperature gauge went very close to red, then all of a sudden it dropped straight away to where it should be,  in in the middle,  and stayed there for the rest of the journey.

Same thing happened driving to work this morning.

Anyone any ideas
Brian...
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Joined: 16-May-2004
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Points: 4000 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2008 at 10:00

Brian

It could be something like a sticky or failing thermostat, although they most often fail to safe meaning that the engine will usually run too cool.  Not an unusual problem though.  Which car is it?

Other potential causes are a coolant leak (any drop in level?), a failing water pump (sometimes there will be a bit of noise to give a warning of impending failure) or a dodgy temperature sender.

Obviously its something that should be checked urgently to avoid the potential for head gasket problems.
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Joined: 23-April-2004
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Points: 96 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jumbo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2008 at 10:21

Thanks Dergside

Its a '97 E39

Having  had to replace a head gasket in each of my last 2 BM's I don't want to do that again!
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I had this happen to me a few times, low coolant level, with a fix here.

If you get heat while the guage is high, then all "should" be okay ( i didn't).

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Points: 4000 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2008 at 12:26

Brian

Radiator housing cracks are not unknown on these but I'm guessing that it should be accompanied by coolant loss.  I haven't had the problem on mine (touch wood) but I think one or two have had and might be able to add more info.
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Points: 2057 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote b318isp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2008 at 13:07
Also check the radiator fan is working OK.

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Points: 96 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jumbo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2008 at 13:48

Thansk for that lads

I discovered last night that the coolant level was pretty low, topped it up and no overheating.

Another stupid question , am i wrong just to putting water into  the rad, should I be using something else?
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Points: 96 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jumbo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2008 at 13:51

Originally posted by stephen520i stephen520i wrote:

I had this happen to me a few times, low coolant level, with a fix here.

If you get heat while the guage is high, then all "should" be okay ( i didn't).

Stephen

I get heat going to the floor but cold coming from the vents on the dash when the temp is up high on the heater..

is this normal?
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Originally posted by Jumbo Jumbo wrote:

I discovered last night that the coolant level was pretty low, topped it up and no overheating.

Another stupid question , am i wrong just to putting water into  the rad, should I be using something else?

Water should be fine for now but you'll need to update the antifreeze concentration before winter. 

Water solves your immediate problem but you still need to discover where the coolant escaped from.

Check for slight leaks around the water pump and radiator housing as well as check the condition of the various hoses.
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Points: 342 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stephen520i Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2008 at 20:58
Originally posted by Jumbo Jumbo wrote:

Originally posted by stephen520i stephen520i wrote:

I had this happen to me a few times, low coolant level, with a fix here.

If you get heat while the guage is high, then all "should" be okay ( i didn't).

Stephen

I get heat going to the floor but cold coming from the vents on the dash when the temp is up high on the heater..

is this normal?




Not fully sure with the e39, but I would guess not normal. Be sure that the temp adjuster between to dash vents is set to warm. My problem was cold air everywhere when the temp guage was mid to high. Hopefully I've cured it.

Be sure to get rid of air locks which are the bane of the e34 coolant system.
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