w reg year 2000 318i e46 overheating,thermostat has been removed,head gasket has been pressure tested and skimmed,mechanic says water pump should be ok? mobile mechanic has given up,thanks dont know what to check next,i ran the car idle for 15 mins then overheated no sign of the rad fan coming on could that be the problem,hope someone can help me i have had enough

steve, October 2010

is water circulating? can you see movement in expansion bottle/tank,if no movement could be water pump impellor faulty-corroded,adrift etc. does thermostat have a disc at bottom that closes off a waterway in its housing when stat opens,if so you may need to refit stat [after checking it] as sometimes this type of stat needs to be fitted so that water circulates fully round engine.radiator could be partially blocked.it there an air lock in system?also as posted rad fan needs checking out-try bridging wires on thermal switch to see if it comes on.am not familiar with your model but these are a few ideas!

k, October 2010

your rad fan should kick in so this may be your problem,have you checked the fuse?

cdc, October 2010