engine getting hotter

[holycowe]

Hi,
Last few days, my car temp. moved to almost 1 o'clock position. Usually it's exactly at 12 o'clock.
I don't know what's wrong with it. Dealer said that's fine as long as it's not in red zone.
Any E46 owner out there have the same problem?
Thanks

 

[gizzy]

Here's a thread with the same issue.

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8232

Hope this helps.

 

[olcrazy1]

after you check the fluid level, it could possibly be the thermistat. I may just be opening alittle later then usual this happens over time. It is a temperature sensartive spring, after a couple years of opening and closing it may not perform the way it should.

If you change this on your own, be sure you get all the air pockets out of the engine, and the fan and anti-freeze cycle correctly before capping it and driving. As if you have air pockets you could over heat and blow the engine.

 

[Akakubi]

Yep, if not the coolant, then it's either Thermostat, Water pump or Fan. If you have not yet replaced under recall the "infamous" Siemens fan, then that could be a culprit.

Thermostat is less of an issue on our cars, since when it fails it gets stuck open, not closed. So if anything, the temps would read lower. I had two replaced already...

Water pump is another bugger. BMW may still have installed one with plastic impellers that would fail quickly with use. Though I thought they got over this already. My pump was replaced after about 5K miles in 2001.

 

[holycowe]

Thanks guys, well it went back to 12 o'clock today!!! And yes, the coolant is at min level. I'll try to add some straight distilled water on. I just can't spend a few more hours at the dealer.