1.9 overheating only at idle

[mrscalex]

New pump & thermostat and no leaks.

Runs at correct temperature on the move. Overheating very quickly at idle.

Is the only plausible cause the fan clutch? Or are there other possibilities?

Cylinder head gasket gone or a blocked heater valve? Are they realistically a potential cause as it runs so well on the move?

 

[mrscalex]

I just went and checked the fan with the engine cold. I already knew it had good resistance when hot as I believe it's meant to.

It's identical resistance when cold. I believe it's meant to spin freely?

And it spins more freely during one part of a revolution than at other points.

Does it sound knackered? Not the cheapest of things to replace and I don't think I have a spare to try. So I'd like to try and make an informed judgement before parting with any cash.

 

[t-tony]

It does sound to be faulty Rob, at the very least it should rotate very freely when cold. When it cuts in and drives at full pace you cannot stop it

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

When I did the viscous clutch on my 2.2 I paid £80 for a Behr (OEM).

Can't bring myself to spend that on a 1.9 I just want to get sold on. I'll probably go for a 'top quality German' part for £40 on eBay. So that will be a random pick by the seller, hopefully Febi or Meyle who should be good middle of the road quality.

I'm not paying £25 for an ECP cheapie. Ive heard they're noisy and surprise, surprise don't last.

Shame the 2.2 part doesn't fit as I have plenty of them.

 

[hard top]

Runs at correct temperature on the move. Overheating very quickly at idle.

Had this on a 318i, blew the expansion tank up, put a new radiator in, problem gone.

 

[mrscalex]

Had this on a 318i, blew the expansion tank up, put a new radiator in, problem gone.

That was the other thing I meant to ask about in my original post. So thanks.

I'm going to flush it all through properly. And if that and the viscous coupling doesn't fix it I'll change the radiator. Which I might do anyway as I have a spare but it's not one I know the history of. It was on a breaker when I drove it home but it would never have got as far as idling in traffic on its only journey.

 

[hard top]

it would never have got as far as idling in traffic on its only journey.

Interestingly, the 318i seemed to have a safety override, as it would cut out when the temp went up.
It only blew because I kept restarting it.....
I have told this story on here before but it is funny.

Was picking up a mate at Amsterdam Schiphol airport and parked where I should not have been, right outside departures, sounds weird but that was the system we used, so I kept the car running.
Right in front of me, about a foot away from my bonnet, there was a chap wearing an expensive suit getting his bags out of the boot of his Bentley when my car decided to blow up, right in front of his bent over backside.

When the steam cleared, there he was, laying on top of his bags in the boot.....
He got out, straightened his tie and gave me a really dirty look..

Then my mate turned up and I had to move the car.
Drove about 5 km to a petrol station, filled it up with tap water but that just pished out.
Thought I might have done some real damage now, so asked if I could leave the car there as they had CCTV and collect the next day.
Towed it back home, new radiator, no problems.
These engines are bullet proof.

 

[mrscalex]

The water pished out?

I've just pished myself laughing at that story!