E36 318i overheating and not overheating !!?? - BMW Forum

lucky178tb · 07-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Hi all....I am relatively new to the world of BM's...just bought a 318i e36 and has driven like a baby for about 1500k's...until the temp started to rise to 3/4 and above...checked it out and found radiator leaking...changed but temp still going up...removed thermostat.....still going up only difference now is that the temp goes up when vehicle slow and temp comes down to half as you speed up !!!!???? Am frustrated....any ideas.....

witeshark · 07-16-2009, 11:57 AM

I think you may have air trapped in the system.

lucky178tb · 07-17-2009, 04:49 PM

Awrighty....thanx for that mate....this is the latest on the cooling....have put in a new thermostat as well as the radiator, bled the system and there is no overheating now however prior to changing the radiator I obviously had leaks and the radiator pipes were always flexible even when the engine was hot....now there are no leaks but the pipes are pretty tight when the engine is running and hot...not swelling but pretty tight...is that normal or have i blown the gasket???? Any help pls???

witeshark · 07-17-2009, 07:03 PM

Is there any sign of oil in the coolant or vice versa?

lucky178tb · 07-17-2009, 07:57 PM

No mate....no oil in the coolant at all......

brucie · 07-20-2009, 07:12 AM

does the engine idle smoothly, i have a 318i and thepipes are fairly tight on it as well,runs as it should, but what i found was that the engine went up and down the revs badly, almost stalling, what i found it to be was air in the water system, the little black bleeder screw at the top of the rad beside the top up lid, undo it slightly and let the engine run until there is a constant stream of water flowing from it then you will know all the air is out of the system, but be careful not to over tighten it or wrong thread it as it will break very easily, hope it helps, let us know

lucky178tb · 07-20-2009, 06:49 PM

G'day mate....the motor idles very well....It probably was a little rougher before I bled it but its smooth now and yes I bled the system the way you prescribed and as a result there is no overheating and I also had it checked for a blown gasket which turns out to be ok.....I was just worried that the pipes were too tight coz I hadnt seen pipes that tight on any vehicle before unless they were about to blow !!!! I have been driving it over the weekend so a few days now and there doesnt seem to be any dramas.....cheers for the help bud...

brucie · 07-20-2009, 07:16 PM

not a problem lucky, talk soon