So my e30 left me stranded.

[Turf1600]

I was in traffic - looked down and it was nearly in the red - overheated. Clean oil. Clean coolant. I popped the coolant lid and it spewed everywhere. After I let it cool down i ran it again - ran fine for a minute or so then shot right up to red. WTF? I'm going to go back tomorrow morning and remove the t stat. If that's not it, i guess a leak down is in order. Fuck.

[jflip2002]

At least it turns on. When that happened to my TI (twice) it blew the head gasket both times, and wouldnt start up. GL.

[Jordan]

I'll be in Houston this weekend if you want me to take a look at it for you.

[Turf1600]

I'll be in Houston this weekend if you want me to take a look at it for you.

I might have to take you up on that. Shoot me your #. When are you moving down here permanently?

[ColdAccord]

I popped the coolant lid and it spewed everywhere.

dur

[n2motorsports]

thermostat?

[e30Matt]

My buddy's E36 did this to the T when his plastic impeller water pump bought the farm.

[george graves]

Clean coolant? Yea, wait till you flush it - that tells the story.

I'd say a new t-stat, BMW coolant (the stuff you get at the dealer) and a full flush.

By full flush I mean a garden hoes till it runs clean - just keep in mind you are sending awful stuff down the sewer. I don't recommend that. But for the shade tree guy, I guess it's ok.

[mikeedler]

I would go back with 5 gallons of gas, and just burn it.

it might just be the fan clutch if you were in traffic.

[Julien]

t-stat or whaterpump belt. did the heat still work?

[SchnellerVert]

Waterpump shaft shear, happens. Bearing overheats and locks and shaft shears to prevent further damage.

[Jordan]

Call me this afternoon :) I'm in the woodlands.

[Charlie]

I'm gonna say waterpump.

-Charlie

[Jand3rson]

I popped the coolant lid and it spewed everywhere.

Pardon my bluntness, but that was pretty fucking stupid.

I've personally seen a guy permanently scar his face via 3rd degree burns by popping the cap off his overflow tank and having it blast in his face.

[E30FreaK89]

i had this problem as well...i thought it was the fan clutch soo i let it cool off and drove it fast to get air through the radiator and it was still heating up..soo i took the thermostat out and drove it, it was still over heating! i was thinking what the hell!!! people told me it might be a cloged radiator soo i had it flushed, they said it was clean. soo the last thing i could think was the heater core.it doesnt over heat anymore but i do get a coolant smell in the car all the time soo i tink i'm going to bypassing that soon!