E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

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E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by hap » Thu Dec 05, 2019 6:22 pm

Basically on 112k and was losing a little bit water never had issues temp gauge bang on
Just now been in bit of traffic and battery light flickered then heard the aux fan come on??
Got home got out and fan came back on noticed steam at front of car went to drive in garage and temp was over to 3 quarters noticed puddle and drops into garage popped Bonnet and was hot near expansion tank with steam

Any ideas hg has not been changed before to my knowledge
Chees

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by DogWagen » Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:39 pm

Sorry to hear that Hap

E46 expansion tanks are known to crack/deteriorate with age and from where you say the steam is, that's a distinct possibility. There are also a couple of hoses passing next to the alternator feeding into the tank - could be those too. There is a post somewhere about a B3 radiator was bulging at the bottom due to age - another thought.

Just had a look on mine - it's not easy to see the tank from the top so will have a look underneath when I get a spare hour. For what it's worth, mine uses a bit of coolant every now and then and hasn't had the HG done either (only 67K tho)

Any help?

regards,

Mike

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Charles » Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:29 pm

Sounds like coolant system and not HG.

From experience, when you start changing one part, it's best to change the lot - hoses and expansion tank - otherwise you'll be chasing the next failure of the system. It's also worth inspecting the radiator at the same time.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by hap » Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:11 pm

Good advice Charles and mike fingers crossed it is just that
Thanks for posting

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Henry » Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:38 pm

Doesn’t help tha# they have an awful system for the temperature gauge where it’s in the central position at 75 degrees and doesn’t move of there till your well over 100. By the time the gauge moves you should already have stopped and switched off. Hope you get lucky and it’s just a busted reservoir.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by AG » Fri Dec 06, 2019 1:51 pm

if you start replacing the cooling system, I'd get the thermostat from BMW, the rest can be whatever but I have read of non oem parts failing prematurely, where at least should the BMW supplied stat go after fitting and takes anything with it, the warranty that goes with the part if supplied by BMW will pay to repair any damage occurred.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by hap » Fri Dec 06, 2019 2:02 pm

Yeah good call AG
The water pump and thermostat housing fitted June 2012
The alternator was nov 2011 had no symptoms at all but with battery light flickering could be a sign it’s playing up or coincidence
Car In on Tuesday so will report back

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Henry » Fri Dec 06, 2019 4:22 pm

Why does the b3s have a reputation for blowing head gaskets. What is it that’s weak on the cooling system.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Charles » Fri Dec 06, 2019 9:41 pm

Henry wrote:
Fri Dec 06, 2019 4:22 pm
Why does the b3s have a reputation for blowing head gaskets. What is it that’s weak on the cooling system.
It's the 3.4 gasket, The 3.3 gasket is bombproof, by comparison. Basically, the distance between cylinders is very narrow after the widening of the bore which results in the HG failing, on average, every 85k miles between cinders which isn't linked to the coolant system.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Henry » Fri Dec 06, 2019 10:20 pm

Thank you Charles
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Cygnet » Sat Dec 07, 2019 1:46 pm

Hi Hap

Quite a common issue on E46's. It's usually a bowed radiator or split expansion tank. Bmw used a lot of plastic on the cooling system and it deteriorates over time. If the rad comes out it's a good time to check belts and pulleys as well. A lot of people also change the water pump. I had this on a 330 and i think it cost about £600 all in with all oem parts. The oem radiator is quite expensive but there are several cheaper aftermarket ones about.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Charles » Sat Dec 07, 2019 2:45 pm

I would agree with Cygnet about belts and pulleys also. If you have the access, it's worth doing it once if those parts haven't been changed recently.
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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by hap » Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:21 pm

Just to update 18 th dec 2019

Split expansion tank replaced expansion tank ,thermostat housing ,lower housing valve housing mount plate and belts all BMW parts

Also noted the radiator wAs in good shape water pump all ok. Rad cap on close inspection was leaking so order a new one from bmw @£17

Car all bang on just under £500 for all work

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by Hodge » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:36 am

Well done Hap, good price :D

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Re: E46 B3s dropped its coolant argh

Post by DogWagen » Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:26 pm

Great stuff Hap - would you mind sharing the part numbers because I'm going to do similar over the next couple of weeks?

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