Another Overheating Issue!

[Shano76]

Hi All, Shane here from Dublin. Hoping you can help. I have a 2006 220d which I've owned for about 5 months. It has 140k miles on the clock.

Soon after I bought it, it began to overheat while the engine was under load.

Brought it back to the garage where I bought it (not main dealer) & he did a few things to try to sort it out but ended up having to bring it back again a couple of weeks later to get the head skimmed & gasket replaced under warranty.

This seemed to resolve the issue until about 3 weeks ago when the engine started to intermittently overheat again under load. I also noticed that it was using coolant but no evidence of mix with oil etc. figured there was a leak somewhere. Heater also not working properly & gurgling noise behind the dash (heater matrix maybe).

This evening after a short spin the engine wasn't quite warmed up when I parked in on our sloping drive, nose down. Took my wife's car out to pick up food & came back to find water coming from underneath the car. Popped the good and could see water leaking from somewhere & dripping into the splash guard underneath. Fired her up & could see water leaking from what looks like a vertical pipe behind the belts & pulleys.

Anyone got any ideas on this? I'm thinking maybe water pump & or thermostat? I should also mention that because I use the car daily I haven't had a chance to get it I to a garage so been topping it up with water/generic coolant when needed over the last few weeks. Probably not the best idea but no choice at the moment.

Appreciate any help / advice you can give. Thanks, Shane.

[Mouser]

If you've found a leak, then that's what should be fixed first. Could you take a photo and highlight where the leak is, it would make it easier to advise which part it is.

[Shano76]

Thanks mate I'll try & get one when I get home & post it. Cheers..

[Shano76]

Was trying to upload photo from the phone last night but no joy. Back at the PC now so please see below attached.

Leak seems to be oming from behind the pulleys & making it's way down a vertical steel pipe before pooling in the area circled and then dripping round the underside & down onto the splashguard / try beneath.

Anyone ever seen this before? Any ideas on what I might be looking at? Also as per the green text, what is the part that it's actually pooling on? Looks like a pump of some sort maybe? Oil pump or something?

Thanks again for your help..

[Shano76]

just realised I edited that reply rather than post a new one so not appearing as new response. this should do it!

[ChumpusRex]

The cylinder thing is the oil filter. The water pump is just behind teh pulleys you see.

[Shano76]

The cylinder thing is the oil filter. The water pump is just behind teh pulleys you see.

Nice one. So all things point thus far to a leaky water pump! Makes sense. So, one last question: if I leave it in to the garage to get the water pump done, is there anything else that I should get done at the same time as preventative maintenance? Or anything else that *needs* to get done? I'm guessing compression test, thermostat & any pipe work? Worth replacing the rad too?

[johnatg]

I think your previous symptoms and this evidence point to just a failed water pump. It may well have broken up and now the seal and/or bearings have failed. It's probably all you need to have replaced, but if it has broken up you need to check that all the debris has been removed. (By making sure that a complete impeller can be made up from the bits)

I'd strongly suggest you don't drive the car until it's been done!

[Shano76]

Thanks for the advice all. Just looking at waterpumps there. Seem to be a variety of prices online from 50 - 130 quid. Any recommendations on brands from experience? Do they all have plastic impellers or is there any with steel available? Gonna do the 'stat while I'm at it so same question - any recommendations on manufacturer?

Thanks as always. S

[johnatg]

Water Pump - Circoli - £34.20 from EuroCarParts. Pretty much an industry standard - looks as though it has a metal impeller. Check that it comes with a gasket - you'll need one.

Thermostat - dunno really - you could pay £22.64 for a Calorstat from onlineautomotive.co.uk - or £8.96 for a Nipparts one. Your choice!

Not checked on shipping to Eire.

I'd be interested to see a pic of the guts of the old pump - this shouldn't happen!

[Shano76]

Water Pump - Circoli - £34.20 from EuroCarParts. Pretty much an industry standard - looks as though it has a metal impeller. Check that it comes with a gasket - you'll need one.

Thermostat - dunno really - you could pay £22.64 for a Calorstat from onlineautomotive.co.uk - or £8.96 for a Nipparts one. Your choice!

Not checked on shipping to Eire.

I'd be interested to see a pic of the guts of the old pump - this shouldn't happen!

Thanks John. Will check those out..

S

[gaz9759]

Use genuine Lexus coolant, your car will love you for it

[Shano76]

Hi All,

Just an update on progress. Got a new WP & 'stat fitted there a couple of weeks back & the mechanic pressure tested the engine etc. There was a small leak from the old WP but didn't find any blades/fins damaged or ingested or anything like that. Flushed the system & refilled & so far so good. Gurgling sound behind the dash gone, heater working. temp gauge staying just below half way.. hopefully that's the end of it. Relatively inexpensive work which has hopefully solved the issue! Will keep an eye on it & update if any further issues arise..

Thanks again for all the comments & advice above.

Shano