440 - soaring temperature

ahal · May 19th, 2006, 02:30

Hi everyone,

I've recently been having a problem which initially surfaced briefly last summer. I normally do long journies in mixed traffic conditions, but recently I have had a problem ( in traffic / hectic 'round town drives ) with the temp. light coming on, while at the same time the temp. needle goes from under 50% right up to the red zone.

My car is a '94, and the gasket was done 28,000 miles ago when the timing belt packed in. It's had a new thermostat, and weirdly, my father's car - also a 1994 440xi - has started doing the very same thing all of a sudden. He has previously had the water pump replaced, and the thermostat, but to no avail. The bugger, like mine, won't behave.

I should point out that, while his has 90,000 APPARENTLY genuine miles ( We live in Ireland, and anything goes with the trade here ) but mine has 134,000. I keep it well serviced, with particular attention on Oil and coolant changes. One guy told me that the 400's have an "auxillary water pump" which often seizes. Apart from this snippet I haven't a clue.

Any help appreciated as always.

Regards,

Anthony.

May 19th, 2006, 03:03

Is the cooling fan coming on ok? Is the temp gauge ok so it really is as hot as it says? Is the rad ok not blocked with horrible crud and rust and things like that? Possible airlocks e.g from when they changed coolant when work was done? You could try leaving the thermostat out which means it would run cold some of the time but would confirm it is ok. I guess it is more likely to be something in the cooling circuit like this because you had engine work done, and it is (from what you seem to be saying) ok apart from in conditions when the cooling system would probably need forced cooling (water flow through rad cooled by air from fan). You could try changing coolant, flushing rad through, make sure you don't have airlocks. Is the heater on full whack when engine up to temperature and you turn it right to hot? If not very hot then airlock likely.

If a water pump is no longer pumping I'm sure you'd notice the temperature get very hot, very quick, all the time

Pete

May 19th, 2006, 02:30	#1
ahal Master Member Last Online: May 30th, 2015 05:21 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wicklow	440 - soaring temperature Hi everyone, I've recently been having a problem which initially surfaced briefly last summer. I normally do long journies in mixed traffic conditions, but recently I have had a problem ( in traffic / hectic 'round town drives ) with the temp. light coming on, while at the same time the temp. needle goes from under 50% right up to the red zone. My car is a '94, and the gasket was done 28,000 miles ago when the timing belt packed in. It's had a new thermostat, and weirdly, my father's car - also a 1994 440xi - has started doing the very same thing all of a sudden. He has previously had the water pump replaced, and the thermostat, but to no avail. The bugger, like mine, won't behave. I should point out that, while his has 90,000 APPARENTLY genuine miles ( We live in Ireland, and anything goes with the trade here ) but mine has 134,000. I keep it well serviced, with particular attention on Oil and coolant changes. One guy told me that the 400's have an "auxillary water pump" which often seizes. Apart from this snippet I haven't a clue. Any help appreciated as always. Regards, Anthony.

May 19th, 2006, 03:03	#2
peteS40 Guest Location:	Is the cooling fan coming on ok? Is the temp gauge ok so it really is as hot as it says? Is the rad ok not blocked with horrible crud and rust and things like that? Possible airlocks e.g from when they changed coolant when work was done? You could try leaving the thermostat out which means it would run cold some of the time but would confirm it is ok. I guess it is more likely to be something in the cooling circuit like this because you had engine work done, and it is (from what you seem to be saying) ok apart from in conditions when the cooling system would probably need forced cooling (water flow through rad cooled by air from fan). You could try changing coolant, flushing rad through, make sure you don't have airlocks. Is the heater on full whack when engine up to temperature and you turn it right to hot? If not very hot then airlock likely. If a water pump is no longer pumping I'm sure you'd notice the temperature get very hot, very quick, all the time Pete

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