problem!!!!!!

[chrismcl05]

hi all. my 96 318 is overheating which is a first. i checked the water that was fine there was loads in it. so i took it to a mechanic and he tells me its backpressure and causes the engine to overheat. then he tells me its my cylinder head going which causes backpressure. i am now panicing and not running it till i know whats wrong. can any1 help me on identifying what is wrong? it is overheating after about 20 mins its up in the red and the warning light comes on. plz can some1 help.

[rej487]

Well the first thing you should check when having heating problems is your thermostat. They are notorious for going out in our cars...

Along with that you should look at your water pump... if you haven't replaced it go ahead and do it, but make sure your new one has metal impellars. Its a cheap buy and you'll have to do it eventually.

I don't want to make u feel dumb but have you checked your coolant levels? Hoses? Do you have any leaks???

If your mechanic was right, though, you need to take your car to a specialist shop for European cars and have them check your cylinders because we can't help you out too much online!

Hope that helped

[Furious]

Originally Posted by rej487

Well the first thing you should check when having heating problems is your thermostat. They are notorious for going out in our cars...

Along with that you should look at your water pump... if you haven't replaced it go ahead and do it, but make sure your new one has metal impellars. Its a cheap buy and you'll have to do it eventually.

I don't want to make u feel dumb but have you checked your coolant levels? Hoses? Do you have any leaks???

If your mechanic was right, though, you need to take your car to a specialist shop for European cars and have them check your cylinders because we can't help you out too much online!

Hope that helped

+1... normally our cars will overheat because of either a thermostat or waterpump issue, is your mechanic a BMW specialist? if not id get a second opinion

[325isBaby]

I would get a second opinion for sure! I have gone through years of training and I am wondering what the hell this guy is trying to pull. It's called KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid!). Start with the basics like mentioned above, coolant levels, hoses, thermostat, water pump, overflow tank, radiatior, fans, etc! Take your car somewhere else, preferably to someone qualified to work on BMWs. Good luck

[mtechnology]

another stupid thing to check... loosen the tiny plug next to where you fill until it lets out the air bubbles and drains coolant

[e36surge]

Unless you were running her with no oil and no coolant I highly doubt a head issue... get a second opinion and heed the warnings above. Have your cooling system checked. Once that is ruled out then move on to the head. My overheating problem was the thermostat.