Engine Cooling problem
2008 BMW 318 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Hi I have never had any problem with my car until now. started it this morning and it sounded rough, almost like the plugs need changing. I seem to be getting nothing but cold air through the heaters and the engine temperature is the highest I have ever seen it and I am concerned that perhaps the head gasget has gone, can you confirm this or suggest anything else?

Hi there,

You may have a thermostat stuck closed, get this checked asap as if it is you will run the risk of doing a head gasket, if it has not already so, as the rough idle is not a good sign.

mark (mhpautos)

A 2008 should be covered under the manufacturers warranty, have you tried letting BMW fix it yet?

its not a 2008 its 1998 118ti compact. dont know where i went wrong there, if it were then it would have been the first thing I would have done

cheers

It's not the head gasket as thought. I have had it compression tested and it seems fine. I limped it home yesterday, and I got heat from the heaters but the engine still overheated. Im thinking now that its the water pump?? what are your thoughts?

dannie

Mark (MHPautos) had started this interaction with some good advice, I would direct you to start with that and inspect both the water pump and the thermostat and let us know.

Hi. All your help has been greatly appricieated. It actually turned out to be the rad would you believe. The last thing I expected as I didn't seem to be loosing water like you would expect!!!
Cheers boys
Dannie

See Mark, you fixed another one. You're a genius!!

Hay Doc,

Your the cats whiskers when it comes to Beamers, lol

Mark in Oz.