Starting to loose faith

K

Kevrev

Member
 Neath.South Wales UK
2004 z4 e85 3.0i
Yet another problem driving today temperature gauge went into the red and beeped. Pulled in waited 5mins gauge back to normal but heaters blowing cold air. Any ideas this car is starting to get me down.
 
Did the heater blow hot or cold air when the gauge went to the red?
5 minutes is hardly enough time for a motor to cool from hot to cold.
Makes me suspect 2 things. The thermostat may be stuck open (causing no heat) and the sensor bad ?
If the coolant level is correct I think you have to replace the thermostat for starters.
 
Timmyboybunter said:
Have you checked the coolant? Very common issue on these is the coolant reservoir getting brittle and cracking.
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+1 This^ If it's lost all its coolant there will be no hot water in the heater matrix hence cold air.
Your car is 2004 so definitely have a look at the coolant reservoir. Fill it up with water and it will probably run straight out on floor...mine did and through a hairline crack that could barely be seen :thumbsup:
 
Also worth bearing in mind, if the culprit is the reservoir, it often won't lose coolant until the engine is hot and the reservoir/crack has expanded with heat (so topping up a cold car won't necessarily highlight a leak)

There are aluminium replacements which don't cost a lot.
 
It does sound like the thermostat may be stuck open, do you feel it getting as hot as the radiator hoses? Have checked for codes?
 
Checked coolant this morning nothing in there. I checked it 2 weeks ago and it was fine. Going to fill with water start car and look for a leek.
 
+1 re the reservoir. My car is an 07 and previous owners paperwork suggests its had 2 new ones previously. Might only 'show' when its hot and any crack is under pressure. Good luck :thumbsup:
 
Yep, no need to loose faith. It’s a 16yr old car and the tank WILL have a hairline crack in it. Reasonably cheap and easy to replace and you will be good to go.
 
If it’s not the thermostat it might be an air pocket which is common as well especially if the coolant has recently been changed.
 
Quick update filled coolant let car warm up no visible sign of any leek. Took car around the block temp starting to rise heaters blowing cold and fan not kicking in. Parked car outside house let it cool down checked coolant still full. So stuck now.
 
I'll let the clever people take over who have also chipped in with answers, as I've reached the end of my knowledge :D

There is a very specific method to filling up with coolant however I believe, not convinced just filling up the reservoir will work as you think it will.
 
You need pressure in the system before the crack in the expansion tank is noticeable - a drive around the block isn’t going to do that.

You need to take it out for a ‘spirited’ drive for at least 20 mins or so. Then when you get back home park it on the drive and hold the revs around 2000rpm in neutral for 5 mins, keeping an eye that the coolant temperature gauge doesn’t go into the red. Then you will see.
 
scootr said:
Did the heater blow hot or cold air when the gauge went to the red?
5 minutes is hardly enough time for a motor to cool from hot to cold.
Makes me suspect 2 things. The thermostat may be stuck open (causing no heat) and the sensor bad ?
If the coolant level is correct I think you have to replace the thermostat for starters.
Click to expand...

Cold air when in the red
 
Kevrev said:
The thing is its in the red in about 5mins.
Click to expand...

....but that was when you had very low coolant you said? Are you now saying it’s going into the red even though coolant is at correct level???
 
Kevrev said:
Checked coolant this morning nothing in there. I checked it 2 weeks ago and it was fine. Going to fill with water start car and look for a leek.
Click to expand...
Look for a Leek ? :rofl: Have you been to Wales recently ? :rofl:
 
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