Temperature Gauge in the red.

whiskas · 12-28-2011, 07:59 PM

Since the cold weather has hit I have noticed that the temp gauge doesn't climb very high (about 1/4) and the heat in the car isn't that great, It seemed to be OK before and the needle was usually at the midpoint of the gauge, I assume that it will be the thermostat that needs to be replaced, there is another problem that when I start up from cold in the morning and after driving about 5 blocks the gauge will shoot up into the red, I have found that if I turn the car off and restart it straight away the gauge will go back down to the 1/4 mark. It doesn't seem to be any hotter under the hood than usual and fluid levels are good and the antifreeze is at a good ratio. After I restart the car the gauge doesn't go into the red again.
Anyone had this problem or any ideas?

Renboy · 12-28-2011, 08:35 PM

Could be air trapped in the cooling system causing the needle to dance around like that. As for the heat, thermostat.

Pierce330 · 12-28-2011, 10:13 PM

It could also be that you are losing coolant! I had me reservoir replaced on my old E46...plastic...did you have your water pump replaced yet?

Eurostyle · 12-28-2011, 10:30 PM

Unless you like replacing engines, never let it do this again!!! Doesnt take much to damage the all aluminum M54...If you didnt get good heat, and it takes some time to warm up; thermostat. Same goes with overheating.

noodles101 · 12-28-2011, 11:41 PM

get it checked and fix the problem asap, u dont wanna over heat your bimmer.

Daonhathai · 12-29-2011, 02:47 AM

Sure are a lot of (over)heating issues lately.

whiskas · 12-29-2011, 04:49 AM

The coolant level looks good and It's not leaking, as far as I know the pump is original with 220000 kms on it, the needle doesn't stay in the red so I think it is a false reading, as soon as I switch the ignition off and back on the needle moves back down, it only does this on the first start up of the day and the rest of time I am driving the needle stays in the 1/4 position of the gauge, I dont think the engine is actually overheated. I'm going to replace the thermostat and see what happens.

noodles101 · 12-29-2011, 05:40 AM

i think its the water pump, when i had my 328, i had the same symptom for a while..and i thought it was okay... but then if you sit in the traffic for long time you will see it over heat.

new thermostat, thermo housing , and new waterpump and your are will be good as new

noodles101 · 12-29-2011, 05:41 AM

all those above including labour only costed me around 350 .

Pierce330 · 12-29-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodles101

i think its the water pump, when i had my 328, i had the same symptom for a while..and i thought it was okay... but then if you sit in the traffic for long time you will see it over heat.

new thermostat, thermo housing , and new waterpump and your are will be good as new

I thought so since I first read the post! I replaced mine plus the thermostat, reservoir at 120km...actually, the pump went on me and was pissing out fluid...

noodles101 · 12-29-2011, 03:39 PM

lol mine was steaming everytime i was at a stop light..lol like a boiling kettle and later it shat it self.. pooof!

doogee · 12-29-2011, 03:55 PM

Your thermostat is stuck open. Your waterpump is fine but if it's original, you should change it anyways.

maxima_'90 · 12-29-2011, 06:02 PM

When our thermostats fail, do they stay in the open position, thereby constantly cooling the car? My car is having the exact same symptoms but the needle never goes into the red. I had also assumed a stuck thermostat, which is orriginal.

Ceeker · 12-29-2011, 06:20 PM

it can fail stuck open or closed or anywhere in between.

maxima_'90 · 12-29-2011, 09:05 PM

Balls, thats not good news.