Simplest Maintainance Task Gone Wrong

[R_F_L]

OK, this is the second time this happens and I still don't believe it's happening. How complicated does flushing and adding coolant to an 89 e34 can be?!! I decided to clean out my radiator and re-adjust coolant/water ratio for the hot weather. I drained the old fluid, added some coolant, ran the engine and added the rest. I know I'm supposed to unscrew the plastic screw near the radiator cap and when the engine warms up, it should release all the extra air from the engine.

Well, after the engine warmed, vapor was being released from the little hole as supposed to. But suddenly the engine started over-heating and I had to turn it off. This is the second time it happens. The first time, I brought a mechanic to do it and all he did was take out the screw and add coolant until it shoots out from the hole. I did the same thing but still over-heating. Any advice?

[da_bull]

On my 90 (M20, 2.5L) there is also a bleeder screw on the motor that is actually the highest point in the cooling system. This has to be bled too. Here is some info on cooling. Some good reading on this site also.

[PhatCat]

Originally Posted by da_bull

On my 90 (M20, 2.5L)Here is some info on cooling...

?

[cnn]

I'd drill a small hole in the thermostat.
Change all the belts, water pump etc., basically doing the ENTIRE cooling system overhaul.

E36 info is here:
Pelican Technical Article: BMW Thermostat Replacement

E39 is very similar, I wrote it up here:
ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT Tips and Tricks (Very Long, Enjoy!)


HTH
98 528i

[da_bull]

Originally Posted by PhatCat

?

lol what???

so i forgot the link...

BMW E34 Website

[anthon]

I'm preparing for a nice coolant system flush too. Here are some tips that might be helpful...
* Check hoses for wear, bulging, cracks or brittleness.
* Check hose clamps if they’re broken, stripping, or worn out.
* Replace your radiator cap – cheap insurance for maintaining correct cooling system pressure.
* Check or replace your belt – if it hasn’t been done in a while, it’s a great time to change it.
* Check your tensioner, and idler pulleys for bearing noise or failure

But before that I would like to know easy ways on removing and installing bmw water pump.

[davido]

i had same problem these engines can be a bit of a bitch to bleed you get air locks in the engine block try following witch worked for me first of all jack up car at front as high as poss remove the radiator top hose and fill it with water with engine ticking over keep filling till it does not take any more recconect and reblead with engine running till you get a steady stream of water out of plastic bleed screw then retighten you may have to do this more than once to get rid of air locks be careful not to let water temp go into red as can blow head gasket regards david in u.k

Originally Posted by R_F_L

OK, this is the second time this happens and I still don't believe it's happening. How complicated does flushing and adding coolant to an 89 e34 can be?!! I decided to clean out my radiator and re-adjust coolant/water ratio for the hot weather. I drained the old fluid, added some coolant, ran the engine and added the rest. I know I'm supposed to unscrew the plastic screw near the radiator cap and when the engine warms up, it should release all the extra air from the engine.

Well, after the engine warmed, vapor was being released from the little hole as supposed to. But suddenly the engine started over-heating and I had to turn it off. This is the second time it happens. The first time, I brought a mechanic to do it and all he did was take out the screw and add coolant until it shoots out from the hole. I did the same thing but still over-heating. Any advice?

[davido]

Originally Posted by davido

i had same problem these engines can be a bit of a bitch to bleed you get air locks in the engine block try following witch worked for me first of all jack up car at front as high as poss remove the radiator top hose and fill it with water with engine ticking over keep filling till it does not take any more recconect and reblead with engine running till you get a steady stream of water out of plastic bleed screw then retighten you may have to do this more than once to get rid of air locks be careful not to let water temp go into red as can blow head gasket regards david in u.k

n.b have you also checked stat as if this does not open then engine cannot cool because water is staying only in block &not circulating.

[drz]

This thread is almost three years old. Now closed.