What You Need to Know
As many people know, BMWs are a well-manufactured vehicle with a high level of performance, precision, and handling and have been a wonderful representation of what German automotive engineering can accomplish. Despite that, there are still a handful of issues a BMW can run into. The most notable thing BMW owners encounter, and what’s considered the “Achilles Heel” of the brand, is cooling system problems.
For those that don’t know, the cooling system is responsible for circulating a unique blend of water and coolant throughout the engine. This helps control the temperature of the engine and prevents it from overheating. The mixture will circulate through the block and cylinder head of the engine, and then to the radiator so it can cool the now hot fluid mixture.
Components to Be Aware Of
If you notice that your BMW’s cooling system is starting to malfunction, you should pay attention to these components. Although you may not be able to fix them, informing one of our technicians of what you see will help us quickly determine the problem and reduce the time of your service appointment.
- Hoses
- Thermostat
- Water Pump Belt
- Radiator
The hoses are responsible for circulating the water/coolant mixture throughout your engine and into the radiator. Make sure to look for small cracks or holes if you notice a leak, as the fluid can cause additional damage to other parts in your vehicle and can get everywhere.
The thermostat utilizes sensors to read the temperature of the engine and inform the radiator when it should release the fluid mixture. When it malfunctions, it typically gets stuck in an open or closed position. If stuck in a open position , it will cause a constant flow of the fluid mixture to be released into the engine. That lowers the operating temperature, which can cause parts to wear quicker, reduces engine efficiency, and increases emissions over time. If stuck in the closed position , that will prevent the fluid mixture from flowing and the engine temperature will start to rise. Without the mixture, the engine will quickly overheat!
This component is responsible for circulating the fluid mixture around your vehicle’s motor and preventing it from overheating. It does this by reading the engine’s RPM and regulating the amount of water is flowed through it. Without it, the motor will quickly overheat and pending how bad it is, it may even implode!
This is something that a lot of BMW’s have trouble with. The radiator is responsible for releasing and cooling the fluid mixture once it has flowed through the engine. Based on the thermostat, it’ll understand when it needs to release the fluid into the vehicle. Without the radiator, there would be no way for the fluid to be cooled down once it flows through the engine. This can quickly cause the engine to overheat, which will lead to a different set of problems later on.
How To Keep It Functioning
The best way to keep your BMW’s cooling system fully functioning is to understand the signs of cooling system failure and for you to bring your vehicle into Rocco's European Garage. By visiting us, we’ll not only fix the current issues you have but help prevent any future issues from occurring in the future!