overheating while idling

[Mazzahyde]

hi guys. My 2003 2.5 z4 has now hit the red on the temp gauge twice in the last 2 months.
The 1st time it happened in mcdonalds drive thru....... heard the bleep, seen the red light on temp gauge , s**t myself and turned it off......... after few mins and everyone getting pissed off behind me in queue :lol: I fired her back up , put Heater blowers on full and temp seemed fine so drove home, car checked all levels, fan working etc.... have not had any problems since,
Until last night, left car running whilst checking air in tyres , after 5 mins I heard the bleep so checked dash and temp was red again
Any thoughts as to why I'm not having any problems when driving but twice overheating now when standing ? I'm hoping it's something easy ish and not the gasket on its way, heard its common on tbis engine , cheers guys in advance

 

[Rockhopper]

Fan intermittent would be one reason if you are sure it was running when you checked.

 

[Mazzahyde]

I'll keep my eye on that gonna give all the pipes a squeeze tonight aswel , somebody at work just said could be air in the system

 

[Chippie]

It sounds like you’re Radiator fan isn’t kicking in, could be a faulty switch for the fan, Brocken / loose wire or faulty fan

 

[Mazzahyde]

I will have a look over the fan later and check wires etc , give connections a clean, see how I go , thanks guys

 

[Mazzahyde]

Fan seems to only be working when ac is turned on. Maybe its a temp sensor ? Does enybody know where the sensor is located or what its called that lets the radiator know the coolant is hot and to kick in ?

 

[Chris_D]

I think you're barking up the wrong tree.
Suggest you change your coolant, stat and waterpump before you start messing about with sensors and fan.
Did you scan for codes yet?

 

[Crazy Harry]

Or read the codes. Think that fan problems will throw a code at the moment you're guessing and about to throw money at what may not be a problem.