Puked Coolant Everywhere

[m3f_M3forME]

Just the other day I was driving my m3 (1996) when it started overheating bigtime. The warning light for the thermo was on. It only has 64k miles on in and its never had temp problems before. It over heated and my radiator exploded with coolant all over my engine bay! I tried to turn on the heat to help cool it down before it blew but it was only blowing cold air (for the past 3 days the car only blew cold air through the vents). Does this mean anything? What could have caused my m3 to over heat like this? Any ideas? Got radiators?



THanks

:banghead:

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

sorry to hear the bad news. the problem sounds like a bad thermostat. it can cause the coolant to overheat which causes the hose the explode. if this is the cause, check to see if your radiator neck also broke....if it did, you'll have to replace the radiator and thermostat. good luck and keep us updated.

[m3f_M3forME]

For the longest time my console has been saying, "check coolant level" when my coolant level was fine. It turns out the water pump went kaput and stopped circulating coolant through the motor. This caused my motor to overheat. The end result: 1 broken radiator, 1 broken water pump, 1 F*$%ed up thermostat, and an engine bay coated with coolant residue.

For about 1-2 months I've been running my motor with a busted water pump. How bad is it on the motor to have little if no coolant circulating? What has me puzzled is no coolant has been circulating for atleast a month now, yet it was only until the other day that the car over-heated. Is this evidence suggesting the water-pump is not the cause?

Moral of the story is...If your console says "Check coolant level" when your coolant level is fine, then check your water pump.:thumbsup:



Thanks for the replys

M3forME

[m3f_sdodson]

97 E36 with 93k miles on it, I just took it in to the shop to get the oil changed and they told me that I needed to change my coolant lines top and bottom due too dry rot, as well as my thermostat. Well my cheap ass decided to just go with the $50 oil change and the $300 yoko's on the rear and I'd call it a day. Well, I could have saved myself the charge for a tow truck to take my M3 into the emergency room! Moral of the story...listen to the doctor and do what they tell you to do even if you have to go get a second job at Taco Bell in order to pay for it.



However, you'll all be glad to know that I smoked the IROC that wanted to race me on the way in to work that morning....I wonder if that could have provoked anything..nah.

[m3f_psychocand_5284fc9658]

I was driving my M3 up to the gas station last November to top off with premium and stabil (to preserve gas through the winter). I had hoped that this would be my last drive of the year before storage. On the way to the station I noticed that the vent wasn't producing heat, even though the temp gauge indicated it should have been.



Upon reaching the gas station I noticed steam coming from the engine with an anti-freeze smell. I couldn't see where it was coming from but it was evident that it was from deep down in the engine and not around the radiator.



After removing most of the engine (including the intake manifold and fuel rail), the root cause was a small hose connecting the rear of the engine block to a cellunoid leading to the heater core. $15 from the stealership. They nylon on the hose was degraded and the pressure had built enough to put a finger tip sized hole in the bottom of the hose.



The hose was replaced and the car is running strong, but I am still getting the "check coolant" message on the OBC.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

You're still getting a check coolant message? Have you re-bled the system?

[m3f_psychocand_5284fc9658]

Yep, the system has been re-bled. I am going to to a complete coolant flush soon, so I will see if that fixes the issue. I am not too worried about it as the engine temp is completely normal.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Yep, the system has been re-bled. I am going to to a complete coolant flush soon, so I will see if that fixes the issue. I am not too worried about it as the engine temp is completely normal.



*nods* Could be a funky sensor too though.

[m3f_sdodson]

I was driving my M3 up to the gas station last November to top off with premium and stabil (to preserve gas through the winter). I had hoped that this would be my last drive of the year before storage. On the way to the station I noticed that the vent wasn't producing heat, even though the temp gauge indicated it should have been.



Upon reaching the gas station I noticed steam coming from the engine with an anti-freeze smell. I couldn't see where it was coming from but it was evident that it was from deep down in the engine and not around the radiator.



After removing most of the engine (including the intake manifold and fuel rail), the root cause was a small hose connecting the rear of the engine block to a cellunoid leading to the heater core. $15 from the stealership. They nylon on the hose was degraded and the pressure had built enough to put a finger tip sized hole in the bottom of the hose.



The hose was replaced and the car is running strong, but I am still getting the "check coolant" message on the OBC.





Just to give you an update on my outcome - it seems that if your hose lines are getting a bit old, it helps if you turn on the heater before you race anyone. It seems the pressure that built up on that hose is to great for it to handle and the hose split in twane at the heater core. When I saw that I began to over heat, I feel I did the right thing by shutting it off and having it towed to the bimmer shop, where, for 2 hours of laber at 86 per hour and 15 dollar "m3" specific hose + the tow fee, I got out for about $250....they tell me I need to replace my thermostat before I race anyone else or I may have some engine lock up issues.