Fredo Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Good morning all, I would be greatful for any advice you could give me with my car trouble... The other day I noticed a little "steam" comeing from the grill's in trafic, and assumed is was just moisture on engine as the tempreture guage in the car never goes above middle. But This morning as I parked at work I noticed it again. I opened the bonnet and pulled of the plastic cover to get a good look at the radiator. It is very hot at the top, but the rest is ice cold. Also there is coolant under the radiator as well as some splashed about the fan. Any ideas?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wash Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Your radiator or expansion tank might be leaking, common weak points on the E46. Would be a good idea to let the car run so you can see for yourself where the leak is coming from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 As above your rad is likely toast. Replace the lot (Rad, expansion tank, thermostat and water pump), and it should see you good for another 80k miles or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredo Posted February 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Update. It turns out the rad was not hot at all! So I have changed the radiator, expantion tank, water pump & thermostat. Put in frash cooant at the correct mix, and it is still the same. I have bled te system correctly (got alocal BMW garage to check it). I am not at my wits end. Any ideas? I have started window shopping at other cars so suspect the Beemer and I might soon be divorced........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wash Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Have all the pipes been checked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredo Posted February 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Yes, checked all joints and flushed all pipes to check for blockage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wash Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 So changing the radiator etc hasn't changed anything at all? All the problems you had before are still there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 If it's not overheating and you've done a full cooling system overhaul, then i'd say leave it. No point spending money if the only symptom is a bit of steam. Are you sure it wasn't coming fron the heated washer nozzles? If you're looking at it from behind the wheel in traffic then it could be coming from further up the bonnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) i wouldnt worry with what youve changed. remember a radiator should be hot at the top and cool at the bottom.thats its job Edited February 11, 2012 by Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Check the bleed valve cap screw. They are plastic and break very easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
