overheating e39... radiator or something else? help

[superdeadman]

i'm not sure what's wrong.

today, start the car, drive for 2 minutes, the temp arrow goes all the way to red. Right away i'm thinking radiator failure (i got 99 528 so e39s are notorious for this).

Stop, open the hood, no smoke - nothing

i squized the rubber hose through which water(?) flows (they go to radiator) and they're empty!

then i start the car again, and the temp is back in cold.



also, lately, my car hasn't been warming up at all. It doesn't go above just the end of the cold zone. (before it was always in the midddle of the temp gauge).





can anyone tell me what the problem is??? PLEASE!!!!

can it be thermostat?
or can it be a glitch? but why is there no water in the hose?


not sure what's wrong with the baby but i need to fix it tomorrow

[Furious]

thermostat is probably siezed closed. thats why little or no return coolant, and why it overheats in a matter of seconds/minute

[Teh Prof]

I'd go with a messed up thermostat.

I'd also have them flow-test the coolant overflow tank while you're at it if you won't be replacing the thermostat yourself.

Seeing as how you're in my area, you wanna know about a really fantastic independent BMW mechanic around here?

[superdeadman]

Originally Posted by M3UOND

I'd go with a messed up thermostat.

I'd also have them flow-test the coolant overflow tank while you're at it if you won't be replacing the thermostat yourself.

Seeing as how you're in my area, you wanna know about a really fantastic independent BMW mechanic around here?

yup

[SpeedInfusion]

coolant temp sensor?

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by superdeadman

yup

The guy's name is Reese Sherbaf. His business is:

Fairfax Service Center
2850 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, 22031
http://www.fairfaxservicecenter.com/
703.560.1700

He also happens to be an authorized Dinan installer. He's been in business since 1978. He's treated me very, very well, both with the 528 I had and with my M3. He's a wizard with cooling system problems. Let him know I sent ya :-)

[Torque]

I'd say it's the thermostat from your description, but yeah, take it to the mechanic M3UOND recommended.

[buuhh99]

just overhaul the coolinmg system, I did that on my e36, it was like 300 bucks without labor, and since i did it the labor was free, i got a new radiator, hoses, pump, thermostat, and housing allong with coolant and it works great, I did mine as more of a precationarry measure cause i have 100k on my car. Thermostat sounds right as far as the diagnostic goes, or your water pump falled either one.