230i overheating

wetzie · 02-04-2022, 08:32 AM

My wife's 230i overheated last night. After waiting 2 hours on the highway for AAA to not show up my friend added a gallon of anti freeze and drove home. She tells me the car displayed a message the car was warm, and after about 10 miles it said the car was hot and to brake gently and pull over, she did.
The car seemed empty of coolant, and I am hoping to poke around and see if I can find the issue. Can anyone suggest a good way to start this process? After the coolant was put in the car indicated it was low on coolant, not sure why it did not say this from the beginning.
I expect to take it to the repair shop, it is tough trying to decide between the dealer and an independent shop.
thank you

wetzie · 02-04-2022, 08:48 AM

I also wanted to mention it is at 58K miles and I would like to do this myself if possible. I ordered spark plugs to begin that and if I am able to locate the likely culprit could try to tackle that. If anyone has some good first places to look that would be great. thank you

TAZ007 · 02-04-2022, 09:54 AM

I would suggest looking at the coolant reservoir hoses and clamps first. If residue is around the clamps it means the seal is broken and new ones are needed. I would also check the hoses. I do not believe there is a hole in the reservoir but it may be possible. A simple fill with water and check to see if it is quickly on the ground will answer that.

overcoil · 02-04-2022, 10:15 AM

My friend likes Autobahn of Towson, presently he's running a 430 Gran Coupe and a 2003 5-series.

I like the Towson dealer, yeah it's pricier but it's clean and I trust them.

Everything that TAZ007 said. Also when inspecting for the culprit use a bright LED flashlight to shine on the parts, it will highlight the white or shine from the coolant. Also squeeze all the coolant hoses about one or two inches from their connectors, listen for whistling hose and feel to make sure the hose pops back out. Also shine down on the belly pan for any recent liquid stains.

If the weather was warm I would suggest filling the system with distilled water and seeing if it runs dry. But with these cold temps you need the BMW-antifreeze or similar-antifreeze in the system to prevent freeze.

raddoc · 02-04-2022, 05:22 PM

60K miles is typical for BMW coolant pump/thermostat failure. Around $1200-1500 at dealers. There was a class action settlement a few years ago.

02-04-2022, 08:32 AM	#1
wetzie New Member 4 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 230i XDrive vert Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	230i overheating My wife's 230i overheated last night. After waiting 2 hours on the highway for AAA to not show up my friend added a gallon of anti freeze and drove home. She tells me the car displayed a message the car was warm, and after about 10 miles it said the car was hot and to brake gently and pull over, she did. The car seemed empty of coolant, and I am hoping to poke around and see if I can find the issue. Can anyone suggest a good way to start this process? After the coolant was put in the car indicated it was low on coolant, not sure why it did not say this from the beginning. I expect to take it to the repair shop, it is tough trying to decide between the dealer and an independent shop. thank you
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02-04-2022, 08:48 AM	#2
wetzie New Member 4 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 230i XDrive vert Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	I also wanted to mention it is at 58K miles and I would like to do this myself if possible. I ordered spark plugs to begin that and if I am able to locate the likely culprit could try to tackle that. If anyone has some good first places to look that would be great. thank you
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02-04-2022, 09:54 AM	#3
TAZ007 Colonel 1848 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Z4 M40 [5.00]	I would suggest looking at the coolant reservoir hoses and clamps first. If residue is around the clamps it means the seal is broken and new ones are needed. I would also check the hoses. I do not believe there is a hole in the reservoir but it may be possible. A simple fill with water and check to see if it is quickly on the ground will answer that.
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02-04-2022, 10:15 AM	#4
overcoil Major General 3081 Rep 5,580 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	My friend likes Autobahn of Towson, presently he's running a 430 Gran Coupe and a 2003 5-series. I like the Towson dealer, yeah it's pricier but it's clean and I trust them. Everything that TAZ007 said. Also when inspecting for the culprit use a bright LED flashlight to shine on the parts, it will highlight the white or shine from the coolant. Also squeeze all the coolant hoses about one or two inches from their connectors, listen for whistling hose and feel to make sure the hose pops back out. Also shine down on the belly pan for any recent liquid stains. If the weather was warm I would suggest filling the system with distilled water and seeing if it runs dry. But with these cold temps you need the BMW-antifreeze or similar-antifreeze in the system to prevent freeze.
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02-04-2022, 05:22 PM	#5
raddoc Private First Class 107 Rep 176 Posts Drives: X5,Model3,M240i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	60K miles is typical for BMW coolant pump/thermostat failure. Around $1200-1500 at dealers. There was a class action settlement a few years ago.
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