2007 BMW 328i indicates overheating and shuts down?

[ptarditi]

208 is fine, at the cylinder head, it gets much hotter, also the n52 reduces power before it melts down like the m54. T-stat and coolant pump, should be replaced, the t-stat might not be bad, but it is in such a location that it makes sense to do it now.

[bmwdirtracer]

Hi, my friend! Of course, I am very equally happy about the fact that N engines shut themselves down (the pictures I have are actually an M62, not 54)

But we agree, anyway: water pump and thermostat.....because we don't want the engine to toast.

Dear Lady, thegreenes: ptarditi is a Level 1 BMW factory tech; I'm also a BMW specialist master tech, whose independent-shop employer is theoretically in competition with ptarditi's employer although many hundreds of miles away. But we are both here because we want to help. At work, we get paid for our knowledge, here, we do it for free. 208 would be absolutely fine.....except if the water pump is telling the engine computer that it's dying, trying to keep up.

We are telling you the same thing; and neither of us stands to make any money, so get yourself a water pump and thermostat and instructions. You and the husband can golden shower together......

(Sorry, I couldn't resist that, it is what pros call this job...it is messy)

[Rudolph320i]

Hi, my friend! Of course, I am very equally happy about the fact that N engines shut themselves down (the pictures I have are actually an M62, not 54)

But we agree, anyway: water pump and thermostat.....because we don't want the engine to toast.

Dear Lady, thegreenes: ptarditi is a Level 1 BMW factory tech; I'm also a BMW specialist master tech, whose independent-shop employer is theoretically in competition with ptarditi's employer although many hundreds of miles away. But we are both here because we want to help. At work, we get paid for our knowledge, here, we do it for free. 208 would be absolutely fine.....except if the water pump is telling the engine computer that it's dying, trying to keep up.

We are telling you the same thing; and neither of us stands to make any money, so get yourself a water pump and thermostat and instructions. You and the husband can golden shower together......

(Sorry, I couldn't resist that, it is what pros call this job...it is messy)

Underneath a car and playing with the cooling system? Here, have a shower.

[thegreenes]

Underneath a car and playing with the cooling system? Here, have a shower.

Thanks for the info; you were right. We took it to a shop and it is indeed the water pump.

[bmwdirtracer]

Make sure they do the thermostat, too -- it lives right there, so additional labor charge will be minor -- unlike if it fails a month down the road!

[rxa]

I have a 2007 328xi Coupe. Today my engine stalled and the engine coolant temperature indicator symbols ( resembling a thermometer placed in water ) first in yellow and then red. My car has 93000 miles and last oil change was done at 89000 by local BMW dealer. My son who drive this normally reported that it happened few times in the past 10 days. Tomorrow I will get it towed to a technician for a detailed diagnosis with the knowledge that in such overheating situations this may need a new water pump and a thermostat , radiator, hoses, pressure cap and fan clutch.

[02Pilot]

If it's happened several times in the last ten days, you may need a new engine.

[roninB4]

My son who drive this normally reported that it happened few times in the past 10 days.

-If I'm not mistaken it is strongly recommended that the oil be changed when the motor overheats. Motors are ruined by not finding out why it overheats.

[11.5.50]

Look I'm a female and own a 328i and work on my own bimmer. Go to the junk yard and find a BMW the same as yours and pull out the whole cooling system if it's in good condition and you can replace it in yours if they don't have a BMW the same as yours order your parts on Amazon they are usually pretty cheaply there also I highly recommend you buying a repair manual you cannot do it without that. I hope everything works out and good luck and fixing your vehicle

[WadiM3]

I don't think it's acceptable under any circumstances to use junk yard cooling systems unless say you were stranded somewhere and needed it temporary to get back to where you can order the new one.. I'd use a junk yard for minor bits and bobs but never a critical part of the vehicle

[bmwdirtracer]

Look I'm a female and own a 328i and work on my own bimmer. Go to the junk yard and find a BMW the same as yours and pull out the whole cooling system if it's in good condition and you can replace it in yours if they don't have a BMW the same as yours order your parts on Amazon they are usually pretty cheaply there also I highly recommend you buying a repair manual you cannot do it without that. I hope everything works out and good luck and fixing your vehicle

Reuse cooling system parts from a junkyard BMW ? That's probably the stupidest thing I've heard in a long, long time.
Buy BMW cooling system parts off Amazon? Not quite as bad as #1, but misguided, nonetheless.

Buy critical parts from quality BMW specialist suppliers, and buy OE, or OEM only.

[ross1]

208 isnt good, they generally come with a 190 degree thermostat if I remember right. Nearly 20 degrees over that isnt good for it. Also there is no guarantee the water boils out during an overheat as well as the outside of the cylinder head doesnt really reflect coolant temp.

208* coolant temp won't hurt a thing at all. Still below boiling of even plain water and WELL below a temp that hurts anything. 190* stat means it opens at that temp. not indicative of actual operating temp. It means the engine is intended to run at a minimum of 190*.
The concern would be that there is no coolant present there and the reading is meaningless.
Even the engine's own temp sensors can't read an overheat unless in contact with the coolant. If the coolant has boiled out already it wouldn't be unusual at all to see semi-normal or even cool temps locally while the cylinder heads are roasting.
The fact that this car slowed from 70mph to 20 during the overheat episode is very concerning.
OP, Any really bad smells associated with the event?

"hand held infrared kitchen thermometer (Sur la Table, 35$)"
That's beautiful