1998 528i Overheating

[wolfman1998]

1998 528i overheating I have a bmw from 2000, it had 25000 miles on it. Talk about problems:
1- The temp gauge went in the red when i driving I pulled over and the Thermostat cover cracked.
2- 8 months later red again pulled over and the radiator cracked.
3- 2 years later fan clutch bearing split.
4- 1 year later t-stat stuck replace
5- 1 year later T-stat were replaced again
6- 2 years later at idel the gauge goes to red.
check t-stat and it was open ( fac set 92deg)
7- 1 year later water pump replace
Evertime it goes back to a bmw service.
The last three times the computer says gauge reading 124 degs.
8- just went in again couldn't fine anything.
The only thing that wasn't replace is the temp sensor and gauge and
yes the two secondary fans come on

[grego528i]

ouch!

I replaced the Thermostat and it seemed to do the trick...from what I have read be sure you replace the the Water pump with one that has metal blades rather than the OEM one that has plastic. Hey one good thing is... the time I am spending working on these 2 cars (1997 & 1998 528i) is keeping me out of the bars at night and on weekends.

[wolfman1998]

Yes when they replace the water pump they install the one with the metal blade.

[sidewinder69]

Ever think of going to another shop.

Doesn't sound like these guys at your current shop are doing you any favours.

And sadly, there is a high failure rate for thermostats.

Not to sound like a dick or anything...but do you have enough rad fluid? Or air in the system maybe?

EDIT: Also perhaps a rad flush could help. Might have some scale built up in there not helping matters.

[wolfman1998]

The system only over heats at idel. The rad was replace 3 years ago (Bmw fluild) and when they and I checked the t-stat it was open. This happens every 6-8 months. And when the car is serviced....... no one opens the rad cap....

[sidewinder69]

It sounds dumb, but is the rad clean?

By that I mean is there any bugs stuck to it?

But you really should run it with the cap open to get any air bubbles out, if there are any. (Check the procedure for doing this before opening it up though.)