Overheating

[5Toes]

Here is how I bleed an e30 cooling system

go get a BMX bike innertube. Cut it open directly across from the valve stem. Tie one end in a knot.

Now get the cooling system as full as you can. Open the thermostat bleeder and squeeze all the hoses trying to massage the air out.

Now slip the other end of the innertube over the radiator cap and get a bicycle hand pump. Pump the system up to like 8psi or so.

You should see a steady stream of water coming out of the thermostat bleeder. No sign of any air coming out. Push through a fair amount of water. Close the bleeder.

Pull the innertube off and fill the expansion tank back up.

Stick inntertube back on. Im not sure if you have an early or alte model, but on ym late model I then pull the little hose off the nipple on the top driver side of the raditator and do the same thing. I push through a good amount of wtaer then stick it back on.

Now fill the expansion tank back up and start the car (make sure the heater dial is all the way to hot). Drive it around and let it get up to temp. Once it is, open the thermostat bleeder again and let it idle for like 30 seconds. Close it up then you are done.

hope this helps

[Cletonius]

Here is how I bleed an e30 cooling system

go get a BMX bike innertube. Cut it open directly across from the valve stem. Tie one end in a knot.

Now get the cooling system as full as you can. Open the thermostat bleeder and squeeze all the hoses trying to massage the air out.

Now slip the other end of the innertube over the radiator cap and get a bicycle hand pump. Pump the system up to like 8psi or so.

You should see a steady stream of water coming out of the thermostat bleeder. No sign of any air coming out. Push through a fair amount of water. Close the bleeder.

Pull the innertube off and fill the expansion tank back up.

Stick inntertube back on. Im not sure if you have an early or alte model, but on ym late model I then pull the little hose off the nipple on the top driver side of the raditator and do the same thing. I push through a good amount of wtaer then stick it back on.

Now fill the expansion tank back up and start the car (make sure the heater dial is all the way to hot). Drive it around and let it get up to temp. Once it is, open the thermostat bleeder again and let it idle for like 30 seconds. Close it up then you are done.

hope this helps

No innertube required

[5Toes]

this method works good for what it is. Learned about it from e30.de

pressure bleeding is common with shops

[Ceeker]

Agreed, I've bled enough systems to know the inner tube isn't required. Interesting though as I haven't tried it. I have done the bleeding from the rad overflow nipple. this also works quite well.

[5Toes]

Both methods are very effective. My driveway is extremely steep... like 30 degrees or so. so I can bleed an e30 goooood. lol

[jeffnhiscars]

I drilled a hole in the last tstat I installed only to find out the OE stat I removed had factory hole in it. There is no down side to a properly placed 1\16 hole and both the cars I did this on in the last year, self bled in minutes without any of the gymnastics I read about.

Just my 2c

[Boostesi]

i personally drilled a hole in my t-stat, worked great no bleeding problems at all done in 5 mins, but AIRLIFT tool works great

[IAmGary]

Here's a new thought: is the car actually overheating or just getting hot? On my car 3/4ths max temp is actually within normal operating parameters, the gauge is just flaky and I don't worry until it gets into the red.

You can use one of those infrared thermometers to find out what the real engine temp is. If it hits 92C and the aux an doesn't come on then you have a problem, otherwise just a micheavous gremlin.

[dnguyen1963]

Here's a new thought: is the car actually overheating or just getting hot? On my car 3/4ths max temp is actually within normal operating parameters, the gauge is just flaky and I don't worry until it gets into the red.

You can use one of those infrared thermometers to find out what the real engine temp is. If it hits 92C and the aux an doesn't come on then you have a problem, otherwise just a micheavous gremlin.

Replace your SI board or batteries.