M3 overheated

M3414 · 07-31-2015, 09:46 PM

Hello I had a low coolant light a few days ago, didn't notice any leaks, went to the dealer to top it off, light returned a few hours later , still didn't notice any leaks so just assumed it was a broken sensor and would get it fixed next service under warranty. Well three days later I drI've and my engine starts overheating, and here I am right now stranded on the side of the road, car is off and fan still running to cool off the engine, it got to 75% of the engine temperature gagauge, emergency situation having a friend get me distilled water to throw in the coolant, and taking it to the dealer first tomorrow, u live like 3 miles away from current location where I'm stranded, is it safe to throw distilled water in right now

M3414 · 07-31-2015, 09:48 PM

Notice in the engine bay there is some liquid splattered. It's color odorless a little oily, I assume it's coolant which means leak somewhere

Tracyis300 · 07-31-2015, 10:52 PM

Take some pics of it?

MachinesWithSouls · 08-01-2015, 07:28 AM

Coolant has a fishy smell to it. You'd definitely notice it.

M3Bimmer77 · 08-01-2015, 08:13 AM

My guess is that you have a small leak. The guys probably top it off but didn't do a complete flush. The system has air pockets. Our cooling system is what they call a close one, meaning no air con be in the system and is close tight and no air can be in the system. If you are under warranty just take it. If not just do a complete flush.

Quicksilv3r · 08-01-2015, 09:12 PM

^ yea the dealer uses a machine to properly drain/refill the cooling system. might be all you need.

X9T · 08-04-2015, 03:10 PM

So do you have a leak? If you have a leak and you are loosing coolant, you may now have air in the system. These air bubbles will then cause the car to overheat. You also need to burp the car. On VW, you idle the car with the coolant cap off. Some cars may also have a bleeder nut for the coolant system. Not sure about these M3s.

Have you had anything replaced recently.. water pump, or coolant hose?

JT

M3414 · 08-04-2015, 04:22 PM

Dealer has the car, radiator hose leaked in it

burtonsbs5114 · 08-04-2015, 04:58 PM

glad to hear you have it solved!

07-31-2015, 09:46 PM	#1
M3414 Private First Class 35 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: wisco iTrader: (1)	M3 overheated Hello I had a low coolant light a few days ago, didn't notice any leaks, went to the dealer to top it off, light returned a few hours later , still didn't notice any leaks so just assumed it was a broken sensor and would get it fixed next service under warranty. Well three days later I drI've and my engine starts overheating, and here I am right now stranded on the side of the road, car is off and fan still running to cool off the engine, it got to 75% of the engine temperature gagauge, emergency situation having a friend get me distilled water to throw in the coolant, and taking it to the dealer first tomorrow, u live like 3 miles away from current location where I'm stranded, is it safe to throw distilled water in right now
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07-31-2015, 09:48 PM	#2
M3414 Private First Class 35 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: wisco iTrader: (1)	Notice in the engine bay there is some liquid splattered. It's color odorless a little oily, I assume it's coolant which means leak somewhere
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07-31-2015, 10:52 PM	#3
Tracyis300 Lieutenant 108 Rep 536 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Los angeles iTrader: (0)	Take some pics of it?
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08-01-2015, 07:28 AM	#4
MachinesWithSouls Colonel 4836 Rep 2,442 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 [10.00]	Coolant has a fishy smell to it. You'd definitely notice it. __________________ 2022 M3 6MT - Portimao Blue Metallic 2022 X3 M40i - Tanzanite Blue Metallic
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08-01-2015, 08:13 AM	#5
M3Bimmer77 Captain 340 Rep 947 Posts Drives: 2011.5 M3 E90 Jet Black Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: West Palm Beach iTrader: (2)	My guess is that you have a small leak. The guys probably top it off but didn't do a complete flush. The system has air pockets. Our cooling system is what they call a close one, meaning no air con be in the system and is close tight and no air can be in the system. If you are under warranty just take it. If not just do a complete flush.
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08-01-2015, 09:12 PM	#6
Quicksilv3r Captain 234 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 535i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Augusta, Georgia iTrader: (1)	^ yea the dealer uses a machine to properly drain/refill the cooling system. might be all you need. __________________ -WJV
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08-04-2015, 03:10 PM	#7
X9T New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2010 E93 M3, White 6MT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (0)	So do you have a leak? If you have a leak and you are loosing coolant, you may now have air in the system. These air bubbles will then cause the car to overheat. You also need to burp the car. On VW, you idle the car with the coolant cap off. Some cars may also have a bleeder nut for the coolant system. Not sure about these M3s. Have you had anything replaced recently.. water pump, or coolant hose? JT
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08-04-2015, 04:22 PM	#8
M3414 Private First Class 35 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: wisco iTrader: (1)	Dealer has the car, radiator hose leaked in it
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08-04-2015, 04:58 PM	#9
burtonsbs5114 Major 368 Rep 1,198 Posts Drives: 2021 F87 M2c. LBB, 6mt Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MV Agusta Burt ... [0.00] 2012 Trek Madone 6. ... [0.00] 2008 BMW e93 M3 [0.00]	glad to hear you have it solved! __________________ 2021 F87 M2c. Long Beach Blue over black with blue stitching. 6mt, executive package, slick top.
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