Re: 96 740iL cooling system problems? (archive)

Not exactly a fluke, but the cars generate a lot of heat and the cooling system must be working properly to keep it cool. A thermostat problem is not really unexpected. That water blew from near the water pump is a concern, and especially that it got so hot as to quit. Never ever drive it hot. Did the temp gauge go into the red?

You should investigate the problem before driving it again. Once cool, check the coolant level. If its low, as I would expect, fill it 50/50 with the right kind of antifreeze (someone help with a brand here) and crank it and see where its leaking, or just try to get to the dealer. It should shut itself down before catestrophic results, but I wouldn't rely on that. If it gets to the red zone just stop for a while, then keep heading to the dealer. The thermostat and electric fan and viscous clutch on the engine fan must all be working to cool properly.

That said, if you were driving and it happened, I would suspect that a hose or something blew, since the wind through the radiator while driving at speed should be enough to keep it cool even if the other things were a problem. In other words, the things I mentioned show up as a problem in stop and go traffic, particularly in the summer. It sounds like a hose on or near the water pump. There are several, large and small, and easy to replace if you are so inclined. Maybe a clamp came off, or whatever. Its just one of those maintenance things that occasionally happen. If its a '96 with 70k miles I would replace all the hoses anyway, and the belts too, if they weren't replaced last year when they had a problem. Its about time. Stuff happens.
Good luck.
Lin Gilbert

I've only had my car 3 weeks (96: 70k miles)and already a problem: got close to home from ~20 mile drive and coolant blew from somewhere near water pump. Car quit, Limped home after cool-off period. Never saw any warning that engine was hot! (Car has been meticulously maintained.)
I saw in this car's service records that the car overheated about 14 months ago due to a stuck thermostat. Question: Is this a fluke or do these cars not have a very robust/dependable cooling system? I thought it would be since the cooling system is crucial to operation of the car (unlike all the bells and whistles I can get from point A to point B without). I bought this car mainly because I wanted to be able to take my family somewhere without worrying if I was going to get there or not.

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