Car Extended

BMW overheating problem. The BMW 3 series E36 model is famous for a spasmodic overheating problem.

It appears to affect the 316 four cylinder models round the years of 1996 to 1999. This 3 series model had issues with original water pumps and head gaskets that weren’t made from the same material as some of the other gaskets manufactured by BMW.

If you notice that your BMW starts to overheat and the water pump starts to sound a bit loud then what may have occurred is the plastic impeller the original water pumps were made from could have snapped. This implies though the pump is spinning it might not really be pumping any water thru the system. If your pump sounds noisy and your temperature gauge appears to be going into the red then get this pump modified as your first care. The modified pumps should have metal impellers to resolve the issue. If the engine still appears to be overheating and the heater appears to be blowing cold air out check the thermostat is opening correctly and the system is clear of any blockages.

It’s been known the BMW three series system appears to need constant topping up of water with no obvious signs of the water dripping from anywhere. Some garages have pointed the finger straight at the head gasket or say the head perhaps cracked and passing water thru. It’s been known that folk have discovered that after going to the expense of changing the head gasket or head they have still had a similar issue. One cure can be the thermostat housing itself can be flawed. These housings can a little warp perhaps due to heat which makes a slight area for the air too be drawn into the engine. This may in turn cause an airlock into the system and the water doesn’t flow round as simply. It also appears that even after pressure testing and leak testing of the engine this fault isn’t simply apparent.

So my recommendation would be to test this item as your next port of call as it is a less expensive option than going to modify the head or gasket and then finding out the thermostat housing was the cause from the start. At the same time replace any rubber hoses that seem to be perished or don’t fit nicely to be certain these can be discounted for any faults.

Airlock, Blockages, Bmw 3 Series, Cold Air, Cylinder Models, Garages, Gasket, Head Gasket, Head Gaskets, Impellers, Issue One, Leak Testing, Passing Water, Port Of Call, Series E36, Series Model, Temperature Gauge, Thermostat, Water Pump, Water Pumps