323i Overheating HELP!!!!!

[Fred D]

I have a 323i that is overhetating. I was going down to San Antonio Tx for ThanksGiving. The car was doing fine then all the sudden the coolant light came on and then the temp started to rise. I pulled over into a parknig lot and turned the car off. I discovered that the expansion tank busted open. I bought a new expansion tank, radiator hoses, termestat, water pump, radiator, and fan clutch. I put on all these parts and now the car is overheating. I need help I have to get this car back up and running it is the only transportation I have. I have checked and there is no water in the oil and no water coming out of the exaust. What else do I need to change?

Help Me.

[Fred D]

If there is air in the water hoses and radiator will that cause the car to overheat? I know there is air traped in my hoses. How do I go about removing the air?

[kazzoo]

Hi Fred D I had a similar problem when I had a water pipe leak.You bleed it by undoing the black plastic screw by the radiator filler cap,be careful they are quite fragile,then start vehicle and run until water is gushing out of the screw hole then retighten then should be ok.Also make sure that you have the car heater valve open(on hot) to let water run through car heater system.Make sure the system has cooled before attempting it.May take a while for it to work though but does work.Best of luck.
Paul.

[Fred D]

I tried to bleed the system last night. I turned the car on had the bleeder valve open. I had the heater all the way on and set to the highest temp. I let the car run for about 15 minutes and it never overheated. The heater never started to blow hot. I put the bleeder valve back on and started to drive it down the road when it over heated. Now the check engine light is coming on also. It still sounds like there is air in the cooling system but I'm having trouble getting it removed. I need help. Since I bought this car I have had it parked longer that I have had it running. I have replaced the Transmission, radiator, thermostat, water pump, radiator hoses, expansion tank, and fan clutch. I have been having to use the money that I had saved up for my next semester of college. I don't know what else to check.

[beemer5]

try.. with the car running remove the cap and see if the water is bubbling, if it is then you need a new head gasket.. sorry

[crash8168]

probably pulled the head bolts right out of the aluminum block.