think the mot test centre is pulling the wool over my eyes - BMW Forum

tomd50002 · 07-06-2009, 01:47 PM

i just took my bmw 318 to the test centre and 5 minutes after getting home i got a phone call saying that while they were checking the documents on the computer and the car was sat getting up to temprature to do the relivent test and he said that the car was not ideling properly and that it had over heated and that coolent was comming out.i find it wierd that ive had the car sat on the drive over the weekend ticking over and i noticed that it was not ideling properly but not once did it over heat or any coolent come out of any where.the bloke at the garage said it could be the head gasket or could be something as small as the thermasat.and to rub salt into the wounds while the car has been sat at the garage some one has reversed into it

.so all in all a bad day.just woundered if any out could shed some light on the possible over heating and the eratic idleing.
just going to pick the car up from the test centre so we will see what happens

many thanks to any one that can help

witeshark · 07-06-2009, 02:49 PM

Wow.. best of luck with it!

AlpineSixAndSeven · 07-06-2009, 03:24 PM

WOW that sucks hope you can get it sorted out! keep us updated!

FoxNova · 07-06-2009, 03:36 PM

For your sake I hope it is the thermostat.

. Sometimes when they are old they get stuck and don't release the pressure properly causing the engine to overheat. They should have kept an eye on that because they could have prevented it from overheating to that point. If it's the gasket I feel for you. Hope it works out.

tomd50002 · 07-07-2009, 07:03 AM

had the car ticking over on my drive and still had the eratic idle but no over heating but i did notice that there was a bit of water spluttering out of the exhaust.
hope some one can help as i dont know where to start

marti5 · 07-07-2009, 07:40 AM

The water out of the back may just be condensation, do you have any mayo like substance on the dipstick or under the coolant cap, also does your heater work as in hot and cold.

tomd50002 · 07-07-2009, 11:21 AM

no there is no moyo on the dip stick or coolent cap.and no the fan does not blow hot or cold just hot but i think that might have something to with the switches as the dial for the speed of the fan does not work its either on fast or off many thanks for the help.

marti5 · 07-07-2009, 11:31 AM

If you have a viscous coupling fitted this may have failed, easy test roll up a newspaper and stick it in the fan if the fan stops ....thats what it is.

tomd50002 · 07-07-2009, 12:02 PM

this might be a silly question but do you mean the fan under the bonnet behind the radiator many thanks

marti5 · 07-07-2009, 01:36 PM

Yep thats the one!

tomd50002 · 07-07-2009, 02:28 PM

just been out to the car and yep the fan does stop which i have gathered is a bad sign.is this a easy problem to fix and will it stop the eratic ideling and over heating many thanks

marti5 · 07-08-2009, 03:13 AM

So you need a new viscous coupling...........you will need a 32mm spanner, I went to a caravan centre and purchased a gas bottle spanner and ground it out approx 2mm to fit, on the front of the fan you will see a large nut this is the 32mm one but just check it is.

The thread is left handed,so the opposite way to normal put the spanner on and give it a sharp thump with a hammer this may take a few attempts as you will find out the coupling will rotate, hense why you have to give it a sort of suprise thump with the hammer, if you are unable to get it off as its to tight which it shouldnt be there is a special tool from BMW around £20 which holds the pulley.

Once off the rest is really just common sense, I think there are 3 or 4 bolts which hold the fan on to the coupling.

And yes this will stop or should stop the overheating as for the idle it may well do as it wont be running hot, if not we can go further.

tomd50002 · 07-08-2009, 04:14 AM

ok cool thanks for that looks like ive got my self a weekend project then will get the part ordered today and get it on over the weekend.will this possibiliy stop the over heating or will it stop the over heating and the eratic ideling.many thanks

marti5 · 07-08-2009, 05:02 AM

It will stop the overheating as the fan at the moment is not blowing enough air to cool the coolant temp down, as for the idle this maybe down to the engine running to hot, so get the fan done and go from there.

tomd50002 · 07-08-2009, 06:31 AM

ye think i will change it then think ill clean the icv and see what that does.somethink to keep me busy at the weekend none the less