`92 E36 320i Upper radiator hose collapsed

Greyfoot

So, my car is going for NCT on saturday and after changing and replacing almost every bit in the car including shocks, brakes, power steering, gearbox, engine oil, waterpump, thermostat,viscous fan, the car suddenly developed an annoying problem.
The upper hose on the radiator sucks in flat when hot, raising my water temp to critical levels. When I open the cap it returns to normal of course.
Now I recently changed the following relevant parts:
Thermostat(fitted the correct way before you ask)
Radiator cap
Water pump
Changed coolant.

Any ideas??

neiphin

airlock

Greyfoot

neiphin wrote: »

airlock

forgot to mention, system was bled properly, front lifted and all...

neiphin

is the water boiling and bubbling up when you open radiator cap ?

Greyfoot

neiphin wrote: »

is the water boiling and bubbling up when you open radiator cap ?

does indeed, seems like waterpump is working

couldntthink

Is the heat working in the car, is the engine radiator hot all over when the car is at operating temperature. If you don't touch it and let it cool down will the hose expand again?

I have a 96 323i coupe with leather and all the extras and brand new test in immac condition with 105k on it. I can't even get 1500 for it, why did you spend so much on the car, they're going dirt cheap these days. Not dissing the car btw, I love the e36. Just wondering.

Greyfoot

couldntthink wrote: »

Is the heat working in the car, is the engine radiator hot all over when the car is at operating temperature. If you don't touch it and let it cool down will the hose expand again?

I have a 96 323i coupe with leather and all the extras and brand new test in immac condition with 105k on it. I can't even get 1500 for it, why did you spend so much on the car, they're going dirt cheap these days. Not dissing the car btw, I love the e36. Just wondering.

Heating works fine, had an issue with the viscous fan before but its been fixed now.
Today I removed the radiator and flushed it a couple of times until all the sludge disappeared from the system. Filled up and properly bled the system once again.
Went for a test drive-which took longer than expected and after a while the temp started to rise. I was in the middle of the road so couldn't check the hose but turned the heating on and fan on 3rd and the temp went back to normal.
I am going to check the water level once the rad cooled down.

As for spending too much on the car, I don't mind it as it is much easier to fix and maintain than most cars out there and it is almost bullet-proof and don't intend to sell it anytime soon. Yours however is a 2.5l which makes it hard to sell I guess.

Slidey

If turning on your heating in the car cooled it down it is one of 2 issues.

1) There is a blockage in the system somewhere.

or
2) Your viscous fan is failing to lock up properly. Get the car up to running temp. Roll up a newspaper and try and stop the fan with it. If it stops the viscous hub is knackered. If you end up with a load of bedding for your pet hamster it is ok

Greyfoot

Slidey wrote: »

If turning on your heating in the car cooled it down it is one of 2 issues.

1) There is a blockage in the system somewhere.

or
2) Your viscous fan is failing to lock up properly. Get the car up to running temp. Roll up a newspaper and try and stop the fan with it. If it stops the viscous hub is knackered. If you end up with a load of bedding for your pet hamster it is ok

2) Thats a no-no as I had the issue before, viscous fan is brand spanking new, operating as it should thank fcuk.

1) This is what I suspected, that is why I removed the rad and flushed it.
Do you think I might have to drain and flush the whole system then or is there any chance that the blockage will sort out on its own after a while? :eek:

Slidey

You could try a good quality coolant system flush.

The only downside to doing this is if you have any weak points the flush may find them.

Greyfoot

Well a quick update here, might help out someone with the same problem.
I removed the radiator and flushed it many times, then as I wrote earlier the overheating reoccured once, but turned up the heating solved it.
Now since then, it never happened again so it is highly possible that there was a blockage in the system but its gone now, maybe its dislodged.

Thanks all for your help.