Cooling System Enigma - HELP!
 

Good Morning, a question please. I am having very puzzeling cooling problems. Last Friday I topped off the overflow tank on my 1997 ///M3 with BMW anti-freeze. As I got off the off ramp to the workplace the car was steaming from under the hood. As I pulled into the parking lot the upper radiator hose blew off the radiator. No problems for the past four years, at all. I had recently replaced the water pump, aux fan switch, thermostat, both hoses, both belts and the water pump pulley. No overheating noted until last friday.

Saturday, I installed a NEW water pump, thermostat. The flushed the system twice, and filled with distilled water, two bottles of Red Line water wetter, and topped it off with BMW anti-freeze.

Drove two miles, red line hot. Pulled over, let it cool down, massaged hoses, bled system. Drove two miles, boil over.

Gave up and called tow truck.

What do you think? I must admit I have recently noticed what looks like vapor in the exhaust, exhaust is usually visible on COLD mornings, but recently (last three weeks) I have noticed visible exhaust at all times.

I am afraid it is the head gasket. Any ideas what this MIGHT cost?

Please reply to: rmthomas@adnc.com

Thanks

The easiest way to see if your headgasket is blown is to connect a pressure tester to the radiator>>then crank up the car>>if it very quickly pressurizes then your head is cracked or >hopefully Just a headgasket blown>>neither being cheap or easy 2 fix! Labor is usually 12 to 18 hours for the repair>>parts of course being considerably higher if your head is cracked>>$3,000 & uP! You mentioned all the parts already replaced>>But didnt say the radiator>>could be that also
if it got plugged somehow>>possibly from the old water-pump>>since they were plastic>>>Did the neck break off the radiator??

Thanks! Yes the radiator is new also. Hopefully it is just the gasket.

Mr Thomas I am replacing my radiator because the neck broke, that does require replacement correct?

I agree with cowboy, pressure test it. It sounds unfortunatley like it might be a head gasket.