Nuts........

[AngryApples]

Literally just as I pulled into my road tonight I noticed the temp guage going high (on oil and general guage)

Too dark and insufficient torch etc tonight but I'm fearing the worst!

It's only gone to 100 on oil temp (normal is around 85-90) but the coolant guage was just into the far right red


Yet went out just now (so about 2 hours later, ran her up - seemed fine - extended test drive - again, all fine

WTF??

Any ideas folks?

[xkrGiles]

Thermostat got stuck........ but that wouldn't cause the oil to rise, or would it ? Otherwise a blockage, or early warning of water pump failure ?

I cant imagine its a gasket issue on that engine

Also, when I saw the title i got all excited about pictures of girls from the Nuts magazine !

[AngryApples]

LOL

Yep, thermo entered my head mate but the heater works fine and I thought if the stat was stuck I wouldnt get hot air?

Coolant level more than fine, no sludge on cap, etc

Bizzzzzare!

[minimatt1967]

If the stat was stuck shut you'd get st loads of hot air, the heater would be playing at being radiator. Although, if the oil temp was going up as well I doubt it's that. Could be a gauge issue rather than an engine issue.

[chimtvr]

if the stat was dead both the oil and water would get hot.
However (can't remember)all the v8 bmws have an electronic stat, would've thought an M3 would also have an electronic stat, so it would probably show up on a diagnostic.
No point in guessing get yourself to someone that can read the faults.

[AngryApples]

Cheers all

Yup

Going to Stu at Forza this afternoon

[AngryApples]

Head gasket change

Feck

[minimatt1967]

Arse.

[AngryApples]

Big time

Ah well, at least I know the right guys working on it

[Stubby Pete]

You do know that cider doesn't work well as a coolant don't you?!

Seriously though, gutted for you.

[chimtvr]

have they worked out why it got hot in the first place?

[AngryApples]

Nope

apparently head gasket is a reasonably common failure on the E46 M3 due to its high tolerance, said they tend to replace the gaskets about 85-90k miles for prevention

Whilst I wont say the price I'm very happy with it compared to a main dealer or similar and trust Stu to do the work well

[xkrGiles]

I thought beemers were supposed to be reliable ?

Will she be fixed for 27th or do you need picking up ???? I guess as your daily drive you'll need it back super quick

[AngryApples]

Hi,

thanks for the offer mate

In theory I'll have her back by Friday so 27th shouldnt be a problem

At least now it'll be done

[xkrGiles]

Hows it going Matt ?
Have you got her back yet ?