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M42 Overheat or not ....? (long)

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    M42 Overheat or not ....? (long)

    Here's my scenario:

    When starting the car, dash lights (park brake, brake fluid, ABS, battery light) all come on simultaneously but go out after giving it some gas. So always thought it to be bad switch or loose wiring connection. Runs perfectly so haven't fixed it yet.

    Tonight while driving on highway, these lights came on simultaneously and didn't go out. Then engine temp guage starts creeping up to hot. No physical signs of overheat such as steam or smoke. Then check engine light comes on. So pull over and let her cool down and notice coolant is bit below cold mark so did top her off.

    Drove a bit and temp guage started getting hot again and check engine light on. Turn heat on and just cold air. So tried bleeding coolant. Wasn't successful as even after turning heater up, revving the engine and adding coolant till fluid gushed out bleed screw, still only cold air from the heater.

    New water pump and low temperature t-stat 2 years ago, and had "mess under the intake" taken care of last year. Plan to check coolant pressure and for any debris blocking radiator tomorrow but suspect it could be bad/clogged radiator, water pump, or thermostat.

    I thought maybe my cluster was giving me bad data, but check engine light is working. Drove a few miles (with hood latch open to increase air flow). Check engine light comes on and temp guage does go to red but no steam or smoke.
    Don't want to push it. Only cold air from vents is also evidence of overheating but could also just be a bad heater core. True?

    I'm tempted to bleed again and see. Don't want to cause serious damage. Anyone ever experience this or badly overheated M42?

    I'm 200 miles from home and tempted to see how many miles before see physical evidence of overheating like steam. Some cluster data is bad. Park brake - not up. Battery - starts up every time. Brake fluid - nice stiff brake pedal. Speedo, tach and fuel guage are working too. So do I take the engine temp guage seriously or not? Based on the evidence and the consequences of overheating, I'm being cautious. But on other hand, wonder if can make it home.

    Please help with any ideas or suggestions!
    1991 318iS

    #2
    Did your alternator and water pump belt come off?

    -NICK

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      #3
      Yep. Now that it's light out can see that it did. Thanks so much!

      Going to get it replaced. Hopefully that will be it!
      1991 318iS

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        #4
        That did the trick! Made it home! Thanks again!
        1991 318iS

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