BMWs are known for their performance and endurance, but even these impeccable, German-engineered beauties have their faults. When your BMW overheats it can be a scary experience—usually your car breaks down on the roadside and begins producing a lot of white smoke. Fortunately, there are a limited amount of potential issues that could have caused such an event to occur. It is important that you bring your BMW to a trusted automotive specialist for ongoing, routine maintenance in order to prevent such issues; however, despite your best efforts these problems can arise anyway—particularly during the warmer summer months of the year. There could be a few different issues that can cause your BMW’s engine to overheat, and while it is helpful to have some background information about your BMW, it is always important to have a professional perform a diagnostic procedure immediately following an overheating event. Here are some of the potential reasons why a BMW may get overheated:
Cooling System Leak
Coolant leaks are quite common in BMWs, as well as most other vehicles on the road. Because the cooling system is complex and every piece is important to its total functioning, occasionally when something goes wrong it can produce a leak. Problems can range in severity that would cause a coolant leak, from a cracked radiator to a broken hose or gasket. Because these issues can cause other problems to arise, it is best to have it diagnosed and fixed in a timely manner.
Problems with Coolant
Before you fill your BMW’s engine with more coolant, make sure you take a good look at the product you are using. The viscosity of various types of coolant can be different from one another, and do not fit all types of vehicles. Furthermore, it can throw off the ratio of water to coolant, which makes it difficult for the engine to cool itself and regulate its temperature.
Faulty Hoses
The innerworkings of your BMW’s cooling system for its engine depend upon a series of hoses to transport the coolant. Over time, these hoses can crack, corrode, and spring leaks, rendering the cooling system useless. Tune-ups generally include the entirety of the cooling system to be looked over, including hoses, so it can be especially helpful to bring your BMW in for a routine tune-up on a regular basis so that you can catch these issues before they become serious.
Failing Water Pump
The water pump is another component of your cooling system that helps keep your BMW’s engine at its optimal temperature. When the water pump erodes or leaks it can lead to an engine overheat. This is one of the more common culprits of engine overheating, and is usually preventable by following your scheduled maintenance plan, replacing the part when the manufacturer recommends to do so.
Issues with the Radiator
Perhaps the number one most problematic issue related to BMW engine overheating is radiator problems. When the radiator becomes clogged or cracked, the air flow becomes compromised, keeping the cool air from circulating and the warm air from escaping. Radiator issues can sometimes be expensive, so it’s important to find an automotive shop that offers affordable, competitive pricing. Dealerships often overcharge for radiator repair, so independent shops are usually the way to go.
Addressing BMW Overheating Issues
When you notice an issue with your BMW’s engine that is causing it to overheat, it is critical to have the problem diagnosed and repaired by a professional with expert skill level in working with the BMW brand. At Green Garage European Auto Centre, we have been serving clients with European or German-engineered vehicles like BMW for years, making us the number one dealership alternative in the areas of Winter Park and Orlando, FL. We perform complete computer diagnostics with state of the art equipment in order to properly and accurately address cooling system issues, as well as any other automotive concern. We offer year-round tune-ups, oil-changes, and tire services for BMW models and other European vehicles so that you can stay on top of routine maintenance and auto care—this can help reduce the chances of engine overheating significantly. Contact us today to schedule a diagnostic procedure or tune-up for your BMW—we look forward to restoring it to its old self.
