Is your BMW overheating?
All vehicles are built for the road, but only some are made to last. A common problem that BMW owners don’t address is when their engine starts to overheat. It is a common problem among all cars, but needs to be attended to as soon as possible to prevent serious damage to your engine. In this article, we will go over a few reasons as to why your engine overheats, how to tell if your engine is overheating and possible solutions.
How do I know if my engine is overheating?
A temperature warning light usually lights up on your vehicle’s dashboard to notify the driver that the engine is operating at higher than normal temperature. This could mean a number of things that need to be inspected to pinpoint the root of the problem, from a coolant leak to a failing water pump.
It is best to consult a certified automotive repair shop to diagnose it properly.
Apart from the aforementioned warning light on your dashboard, your coolant temperature gauge on your vehicle dashboard is the fastest way to tell if your engine is overheating.
After you let your vehicle warm-up for a few minutes, keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge. For the most part, the needle should be in the middle range. Anytime it is higher or lower than that, indicates an underlying problem that needs immediate attention.
What are the reasons my engine is overheating?
Now that we’ve discussed a few ways to check if your vehicle is overheating, we’ll now go over a few reasons as to why your engine might be overheating:
Reason #1: You need a Coolant Flush
The cooling properties of the water/antifreeze mixture in your engine decreases over time. This means the effectiveness of the fluid responsible for cooling your engine degrades. If your coolant is unable to keep your engine temperatures at the optimal level, overheating tends to be the result. Manufacturers recommend performing a coolant flush every 30,000 miles or every 2 years, whichever comes first.
How do I fix this?
While you can go down the do-it-yourself (DIY) route, going to a certified automotive service provider ensures you are doing a coolant flush the right way. Mixing the proper amount of water and antifreeze ensures the coolant mixture will cool your engine effectively and prevent further damage if the incorrect amount of water to the antifreeze mixture is used. Depending on your vehicle, the cost for a coolant flush typically ranges from $120 to a little over $200. Not the most expensive maintenance service, but an important one at that.
Reason #2: Low Coolant level
Your vehicle’s coolant is responsible for keeping engine temperatures in check while operating. If your coolant level is below the specified operating level, your vehicle will start to operate at a higher temperature, resulting in possible overheating. It is important to check every 3-6 months if your coolant level is at the optimal amount.
How do I fix this?
This is when you should check your coolant level to see if it needs to be topped off. You can top it off via the radiator cap opening in your vehicle’s engine bay. Be sure to wait till your engine is cold to avoid burning yourself when opening the radiator cap and only use distilled water when topping off your coolant. And no, you cannot use just any water to top off your coolant. You should only use distilled water and not regular water, since it can cause corrosion in your vehicle’s radiator and hoses.
Reason #3: Leaking or Cracking radiator and hoses
While it is unavoidable to prevent regular wear and tear on some vehicle components, there are some ways you can minimize future repairs by doing preventative maintenance ahead of time.
As outside temperature increases, more strain is put on your engine’s cooling system to keep temperatures at bay. Increased temperatures puts more pressure on the hoses, which sends water and coolant through your engine to regulate temperatures while driving, resulting in minor cracking in the rubber hoses, eventually leading to leaks.
How do I fix this?
Small leaks turn into big leaks, and big leaks turn into broken parts. By regularly inspecting your coolant and radiator hoses gets you ahead of costly repairs caused by smaller leaks. If you are unfamiliar with what to look for, it helps to consult a certified automotive technician in your area that can properly inspect your engine’s cooling system for any leaks. This is where JMP Autowerkz steps in to provide the best automotive service in the Los Angeles.
Reason #4: Failing or Failed Water Pump
Your water pump is responsible for circulating the right amount of coolant through your engine. If this component fails, your engine will without a doubt, overheat. Depending on the weather condition you drive in, if it is over 100 degrees throughout the year or have a mix of all four seasons, can affect the longevity of your vehicle’s water pump.
How do I fix this?
It is easier said than done to replace your water pump, but it is best to have a certified automotive service center replace it. Be sure to use Original Equipment (OE) parts for your vehicle to avoid possible fitment and drivability issues. While using OEM or Aftermarket parts is an option, you can read this article we wrote on the differences between OE, OEM and Aftermarket parts here, it is best to stick to the original part that was installed by the vehicle manufacturer.
Reason #5: Faulty or Failed Thermostat
Like any vehicle component, they are all prone to malfunctioning through wear and tear. Your car’s thermostat is responsible for regulating the amount of coolant that goes through your engine, ensuring it is running at the optimal temperature.
How do I fix this?
This is a fairly easy fix if it turned out to be a failed thermostat. This part is considered a wear-and-tear item, hence, potential failure overtime. During this repair, we also make it a point to inspect the area where the thermostat is located. This helps us find any potential area for coolant leaks in your radiator or hoses, to catch an early symptom of overheating.