Warming up.....NOT!

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Mon 06 Dec, 2010 09:57

Despite our best efforts at using the Z in the bad weather, we had to try and take her out the other day.

After clearing the snow i started the car up and left her for a 5-10mins to warm up and defrost, however after leaving her for this time the car hadn't defrosted one bit, yet the temperature gauge was bang in the middle.

I decided that she wasn't going to defrost, so spent 30mins clearing the garage (classic car parts everywhere) and put the Z away:)

Anyone got any ideas, do i have an air-lock, has the thermostate stuck up/closed?

Help appreciated.

brently · Post by **brently** » Mon 06 Dec, 2010 12:53

If there was no warm air and the temperature gauge was in the middle, I would check that the water in the engine hasn't frozen. When she's defrosted in the garage, try again and see what happens. I wouldn't leave her unattended though so that you can switch off if needs be.

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Mon 06 Dec, 2010 13:17

Thanks for that, did think that might be the case.

The last time i saw icicles inside a car it was -25deg C and i was skiing in the Vermont......wish i was there now:)

I'll let the car defrost in the garage and see what she's up to and will proably give her a coolant flush and increase the antifreeze

jontymo · Post by **jontymo** » Mon 06 Dec, 2010 19:45

Mine did the same a few weeks ago, started the day ok then noticed cold air when stopped and warm air from the engine when running, outside temp was around -9.5 though

The cars in bits at the moment as just fitting new belt, water pump and thermostat but just discovered europarts have sent me the wrong thermostat

So until replaced cannot retry although before stripping did flush the system and topped up with water and still no warm air when on idle.

Watch this space!

jontymo

Lazeodoom · Post by **Lazeodoom** » Mon 06 Dec, 2010 23:18

Mine does something similar. It takes about 10 minutes until the inside of the screen starts to defrost. However when I get the car moving it seems to warm up very quickly, even within 400 metres and within 600 metres or so its absolutely fine.

I've just taken it for granted since I had the Zed...

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Tue 07 Dec, 2010 14:07

Think i'll take her into a local garage and get her checked over just in case, the last thing i want is a massive bill for running on a water pump failure.

Any one got any recommendations for a good garage in the Lincoln area, i DO NOT fancy the dealers hourly rate, depsite the free coffee.

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Tue 07 Dec, 2010 17:21

If you had no waterpump, the temperature would be in the red in no time.

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Tue 07 Dec, 2010 17:39

Hels Z'd wrote:Think i'll take her into a local garage and get her checked over just in case, the last thing i want is a massive bill for running on a water pump failure.

Any one got any recommendations for a good garage in the Lincoln area, i DO NOT fancy the dealers hourly rate, depsite the free coffee.

hi I live in Lincoln and may be able to give you a bit of advice if you want it

drop us a pm

as for garages, there is forest motor at the top end of town behind wick's. He has a very good reputation and has many years of BMW experiamce. Derick is also am ex BMW mechanic

good luck,

w4tkins

jontymo · Post by **jontymo** » Tue 07 Dec, 2010 22:32

Well all back together tonight and refilled coolant, been out for a run and the temperature guage is bang on in the middle, so its back in the garage and will inspect tomorrow to double check everything.

But no heat unless driving so it must be something else that has failed when out last time!

More delving to do LOL

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Tue 07 Dec, 2010 22:49

w4tkins wrote:
Hels Z'd wrote:Think i'll take her into a local garage and get her checked over just in case, the last thing i want is a massive bill for running on a water pump failure.

Any one got any recommendations for a good garage in the Lincoln area, i DO NOT fancy the dealers hourly rate, depsite the free coffee.
hi I live in Lincoln and may be able to give you a bit of advice if you want it drop us a pm

as for garages, there is forest motor at the top end of town behind wick's. He has a very good reputation and has many years of BMW experiamce. Derick is also am ex BMW mechanic

good luck,

w4tkins

Thanks for the offer and recommendation. I had another friend mention Forest Motors to me today, so I may give him a buzz tomorrow.

If he's fully booked i'll drop you a PM and you can come round and do me a coolant service and i'll supply you with coffee......i know the wife wants to get back into the Z

MarkR · Post by **MarkR** » Wed 08 Dec, 2010 08:32

Mine did that about seven years ago. Warm air only blew into the cabin when engine revs were above 2500. BMW fitted a second water pump in line with the existing one for free to overcome the problem, which it did. This was not an approved BMW repaire or modification. But the BMW garage admitted that it was a fault with the car........ and it seems many others over the years.

Muzz · Post by **Muzz** » Sat 11 Dec, 2010 10:34

Reading all these posts makes me wonder. I went through all the mentioned then finally found out it was head gasket.
D

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Sun 12 Dec, 2010 08:27

Took the car into Forrest and a collected it a couple of hours later, all sorted.

There's a lot to be said for using the local independant, and this'll make you laugh. I actually only live 5mins from the local VAG Independant and have been in there a couple of times regarding my A6. Nice guys but since they've upgraded to new premises i feel they've lost the personal touch i feel you get when you can actually talk to the mechanics.

Although they focus on VAG stuff i have seen the odd BMW in there so i asked thier 'front of house' chap for a quote, after taping away on the calulator for 30secs, he says £120+VAT.......i thank him and walk out.

2hrs at Forrest, £42........enough said:)

noZyet · Post by **noZyet** » Sun 12 Dec, 2010 09:03

Hels Z'd wrote:Took the car into Forrest and a collected it a couple of hours later, all sorted.

There's a lot to be said for using the local independant, and this'll make you laugh. I actually only live 5mins from the local VAG Independant and have been in there a couple of times regarding my A6. Nice guys but since they've upgraded to new premises i feel they've lost the personal touch i feel you get when you can actually talk to the mechanics.

Although they focus on VAG stuff i have seen the odd BMW in there so i asked thier 'front of house' chap for a quote, after taping away on the calulator for 30secs, he says £120+VAT.......i thank him and walk out.

2hrs at Forrest, £42........enough said:)

So what was the diagnosis to help us all??

gookah · Post by **gookah** » Sun 12 Dec, 2010 11:54

I have a fault that some of you may well have or get, but it's OK cos it's sorted now

Don't just ask for advice, and then not share the solution when it gets sorted...

This is the most valuable part of any problem thread...

Close the loop.....
It may help the others who may have/develop these symptoms.... after all thats what you were asking for in your original post

jontymo · Post by **jontymo** » Sun 12 Dec, 2010 12:33

come on then what did they do?

Muzz · Post by **Muzz** » Sun 12 Dec, 2010 18:44

We are waiting

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Mon 13 Dec, 2010 10:43

Bold and Italic text in one reply......i must have really offended someone.....i can only apologies.

I'd mentioned that i thought the problem might be an low anti-freeze level, due to the large temperature drop, sure enough i was right

So the lesson is, not to just assume that because you have anti-freeze that its at the correct dilute ratio, always worth checking it out.

gookah · Post by **gookah** » Mon 13 Dec, 2010 10:59

Not offended and apology not necessary, just using the tools available to emphasise the importance of the solution to help all members,

Imagine your steering suddenly became heavy, you searched and ..wahey...found this....linky

"booked in on wednesday - I'll let you know how it goes." and we still don't know what was done to put it right....

we are all here to help each other

glad you got it sorted,

Fender2004 · Post by **Fender2004** » Mon 13 Dec, 2010 11:29

You can buy a small device to test your anti freeze at most motor outlets.

They are only a few pounds, so you can check the strength of your anti freeze any time you like and it will only take a few minutes to do.

preston2.8 · Post by **preston2.8** » Mon 13 Dec, 2010 17:35

Iv been looking at this posting for a few days now and have the same problem, just to comfirm was it the antifreeze that was mixed incorrectly or do I need to add another water pump? Just a little confused thanks

gookah · Post by **gookah** » Mon 13 Dec, 2010 17:47

I think he had low concentration and it must have frozen, reading between the lines...

Hels Z'd · Post by **Hels Z'd** » Thu 16 Dec, 2010 09:37

gookah wrote:I think he had low concentration and it must have frozen, reading between the lines...

Correct