Wayne's service tip - 2003 325i BMW Engine Overheat Condition
Posted by Wayne Watson on Mon, Sep 19, 2011 @ 02:27 PM
Customer states that the vehicle seemed to overheat. Customer did add coolant to the vehicle when vehicle started to overheat.
The technician pressure tested the cooling system and found the water pump is leaking. Preformed test on fan clutch and found the fan clutch is not working. Coolant did get on belt which in poor condition. At this time it was suggest that Water pump, fan clutch and thermoset be replaced along with a coolant flush.
Also during the repair the radiator cap was found in poor shape so it was replaced.
The replacement water pump had a steel impeller not plastic like the old one. This condition left unattended could easily cause a head gasket failure. So getting it repaired sooner than later is a very wise decision.
Flushing the cooling system and preforming a block test on this vehicle with this type of condition is a good idea. This procedure would confirm that when the vehicle was over heated it did not do damage to the head gasket.
A cooling system block test helps determine if there are hydrocarbons in the cooling system. Hydro carbons in the cooling system confirm that the head gasket has failed and or the cylinder head has a crack in it.
