Close Call!!

[andyglym]

Out in banjo country in the middle of knowhere enroute to Brough when the heater went cold. Engine temp all good so cracked on. Suddenly when on the A66 the the temp visited the red
Pulled in toot suite, popped the bonnet and

the coolant had made a bid for freedom

Transpires that I failed to put the cap back on properly let Bella cool down and made off to Rheghed, 2.5 miles away, got in just before it went red again. 5 litres of coolant later and much bleeding we're back in the game, phew!!!

 

[motco]

Useful to know that a suddenly cooling heater is a prediction of impending disaster. If it were mine I'd be keeping a closer than usual eye on the coolant level for a while in case there has been any head gasket damage. I haven't heard of it being a weakness unlike some engines, but it's obviously better to be cautious. Any unusual amounts of vapour/smoke from the exhaust on a cold start can be a sign too.

 

[andyglym]

Useful to know that a suddenly cooling heater is a prediction of impending disaster. If it were mine I'd be keeping a closer than usual eye on the coolant level for a while in case there has been any head gasket damage. I haven't heard of it being a weakness unlike some engines, but it's obviously better to be cautious. Any unusual amounts of vapour/smoke from the exhaust on a cold start can be a sign too.

Indeed. A full check tomorrow then a run to Pooley Bridge for Lunch and back then check again.

 

[Pond]

Yes keep a close eye on the coolant colour and oil filler cap. Any 'mayonnaise' is a sure sign of impending trouble in this situation.
I have learned recently that the BMW temperature gauge is not very reliable. It works in 'blocks' of temperature which is maybe why your coolant disappearing was a while before the gauge went mental.

 

[Pond]

Useful to know that a suddenly cooling heater is a prediction of impending disaster.

The heater matrix is on the 'engine side' of the coolant loop, so it heats up the quickest (for obvious reasons). If the heater goes cold suddenly in a previously fine coolant system, you are going to be in trouble very shortly (as shown here).

 

[bertiejaffa]

You wont be the first or the last to do it Andy !!

 

[Nodzed]

Out in banjo country in the middle of knowhere enroute to Brough when the heater went cold. Engine temp all good so cracked on. Suddenly when on the A66 the the temp visited the red
Pulled in toot suite, popped the bonnet andView attachment 352409 the coolant had made a bid for freedom

Transpires that I failed to put the cap back on properly let Bella cool down and made off to Rheghed, 2.5 miles away, got in just before it went red again. 5 litres of coolant later and much bleeding we're back in the game, phew!!!

Rookie .........

 

[andyglym]

Rookie .........

Yup

 

[andyglym]

Engine oil cap and coolant check, all OK, fired up, no issues followed by a 100 mile trip at various speeds, all good. Phew

 

[Grumps]

You've not had the car long mate, i'm sure peeps will understand what could have been a catastrophic error on your part