Expert: John Kingery - 8/8/2008

Question
I have a 1999 BMW 328i that was overheating up to 75% of the gage while at a stop and would go back to the 50% mark when I drive away. The A/C did not cool either. Took it to a BMW shop they claim they clean the fan connections and all was working fine. Now it overheats at a stop if A/C is not on and when A/C is turned on or I drive away the Temp goes to 50%. Is there two cooling fans on this car? I need help. Thanks,



Ron


Answer
There is an electrical cooling fan that comes on when hot and all the time the AC is on, and the fan mounted to the waterpump.

It sounds like your electrical fan is working.

I suspect either a bad clutch on your water pump fan, or a bad thermostat.

Get this fixed quickly!  BMW engines are workhorses, but they hate to be overheated.