Overheating 325i - help

[Drew_Dye]

I'm considering buying a car via the internet (yes, I'm aware of the usual "better be VERY careful" warnings for these scenarios) and the seller has described the car as having an overheating problem. Clarifying information consists of "no oil in water" and "engine heats up after about 15min of running... water in filler tank overflows water". On the plus side, it's only got 89.9k miles and looks to be in pretty good shape (aside from the overheating, of course). Any ideas what the problem may be?

[Bear]

A couple of thoughts. 1. a stuck thermostat or 2. a bad fan clutch.
When she overheats is it at idle and low speed only (OK on the open road) if yes I would suspect the fan clutch, to check (I realize you do not have the car) when idling and she starts to overheat, take a rolled up newspaper and see if you can stop the fan , careful with the knuckles,(this is the fan attached to water pump shaft), if yes then the fan clutch is bad, $68.00 at BAP GEON or EXPRESS parts. If she overheats all the time I would next remove the thermostat and see what happens, if that solves the problem,then there are more serious issues.

[Jat007]

I had the same overheating problem within minutes, because I forgot to bleed the cooling system after replacing the radiator. I found a great info on the NET and off I went and bled the system and car cooling system was back to normal temperature again.

Ask the owner if he just recently had the cooling flushed or he had done any to the cooling system. Something could be easy fix and you might end up with a car great for cheap.

Best of luck and do let us know the result.

J

[Drew_Dye]

Very useful info. Car is still available 'til Wednesday. We'll see what happens.

Update (10/28): winning bid was $405, but it was below reserve. I would've put in a bid, but the car was about 670 miles away and, due to Saturday being Halloween and the expense of getting it here, I just let it go. If I get a car that has to be towed home, I'll wait for one that's closer. Thanks again to Jat007 and Bear for their help. The information they shared may still save my butt some time in the future.