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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: Today @ 4:09:42 AM
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| | More to the Cowan entry..... Mine started using a cup of coolant per run group at DE's. Then it tried to push out the #6 spark plug and started missing in the middle of theh commute on a six day's DE trip to Canada. By watching the level after every run group, and after gently tighening the loose plug to re-gain the ground and get back to 6 cylinders, I had a great week and finally convinced a shop to pull the head and do the work that no leakdown test ever could detect. It is terrific again. It was not cheap. We made it more bullet proof than ever. Mark |
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| | | Junior Member
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Last Login: 11/26/2008 8:43:47 AM
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| | If you are replacing the coolant pump before the fan clutch, you might be replacing the radiator with the fan clutch. If that thing goes, it could blow bits of fan blade through your radiator, into your hood, and lots of other places. There's a number of photos out there of just how much damage an exploded fan can do to a car, don't take chances! |
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| | | Junior Member
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Last Login: 9/3/2008 2:58:35 PM
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| | Man I really hope I didn't warp my heads. I haven't driven the car since the problem was identified. Any way I can tell? Jeff |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 7/10/2008 9:04:14 AM
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| | The only way to know if you warped the head, is to take it off and measure, i think. As i said before, i believe you can warp it, and not have related problems right away (that happened to me). So, get that cooling system fixed up, and drive the car. You will have symptoms if you have a leaking head gasket, or cracked head. However, your car might just work. Make sure you get those cooling system parts replaced, so you can enjoy the car for the summer. Its reletively easy work, and inexpensive if you do it yourself. I think i remember getting a "cooling system replacement kit" from one of the popular online BMW parts places for like $250 that included radiator, thermostat, housing, water pump, radiator hoses. Start with removing and replacing the fan (i think you said it was not working). Once you remove the fan (hardest part of the job), the thermostat houseing and water pump are right there, and easy to reach. Those are 10 minute jobs once the fan is off. If your radiator hasnt cracked yet, and you want to save money and just diagnose the problem, put the car back togather with the new parts above, bleed the cooling system (special procedure, but easy) and test. If your radiator is original, and you have more then 70k miles, i suggest replacing it, as the plastic upper hose connection breaks off and causes immediate overheat. For more info on cooling system repairs, what breaks, what should be replaced and how often, start browsing bimmerforums.com. There are also tons of DIY articles to help you. |
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/24/2008 9:18:17 AM
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| I understand that this is a do it yourself forum & I am supposed to lend advice here on how to fix your own car but...To be successful at anything in life & avoid disaster, an individual needs to know when he's in over his head.
If you don't understand how a cooling system works, then how can you properly use overheating symptoms to diagnose which components have failed? How comfortable would you be with your doctor if he didn't know anything about the human body, but just started to learn about your ailment over the internet as he began working with you? That's what your doing with your car. Furthermore it's over heating & you continue to drive it! You are gambling with thousands of (your) dollars betting that you can fix your own car with little knowledge or expertise in the area.
While I've seen some do it yourself mechanics successfully replace water pumps & thermostats, I've also replaced many cracked or warped cylinder heads because air wasn't properly bled from the cooling systems & the cars subsequently overheated.
The M50 - S52 engine series is very sensitive to running hot. Kiss the red with the temp gauge & you'll be lucky to not at least lose the head gasket. Keep it in the red for 30 or more seconds & the head will be warped & possibly cracked.
It sounds to me like it's time to consult someone familiar w/ these engines relative to your overheating issue. Call your dealer or check out BIMRS.org for a capable & reputable shop. The corner gas station won't have the knowledge or the tools to set up the VANOS should the cylinder head need to be removed & reinstalled.
Good luck!
Mike Morris
Schneller BMW Performance
26 Middle Rd Unit 1-2
Newbury, MA 01951
978.465.2002 |
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